Overview & Reviews

One of America's most storied automotive brands, Dodge has been around since the early days of the auto industry. In the past couple of decades, it has revitalized itself to be a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles.

Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company's model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I.

Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division responsible for trucks and performance-oriented cars. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles like the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; in addition, the manufacturer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning.

Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the manufacturer in American driveways throughout the 1960s. That decade also saw the launch of one of Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. Dodge's muscle car was based on the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Best of all, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop under the hood. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970.

As with other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slip in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. The company was saved from extinction in the early '80s thanks to government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Ideal for families and able to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan.

The early '90s saw the company wow the public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a new standard for big-rig-like styling. A few years later, Dodge came to be part of DaimlerChrysler, a result of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler.

The merger never really worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to a private equity firm in 2007. Soon after, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came under control of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge's entries had been roundly criticized for mediocre build quality and unrefined performance.

More recent years have seen Dodge concentrate on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it a separate Ram brand. But make no mistake; Dodge is still considered Chrysler's performance division thanks to cars like the Challenger and Charger. Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is.

User Reviews:

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  I like it despite a sometimes jerky tran - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By dodgeman - December 16 - 11:23 am

  Bought mine new. Love the look once i changed the wheels and tires out. The interior room is great. Only problem / complaint is with the transmission. Since 36K miles this trunk will from time to time jerk shifting from 1st to second. Comes and goes. Was worried at first but now with 77K miles not so worried. It is a guys truck. I like it.

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  160k and still great - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By eric - December 15 - 9:18 pm

  I bought this van from a friend that had it since new,he never had problems out of it,i bought it wit 147k miles on it for 1,500 and this van is in top shape

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  FUN, FUN, FUN - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Mike - December 15 - 10:28 am

  I actually had this car as a rental for a week while I was out of state. I must have had ten people during that week stopping to ask about the car. Its fun, comfortable and looks great!!! Good performance from the base V-6. It was quiet and really held the road good (even at triple digits).Now I want one...

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  dodge journey - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By dodge - December 15 - 10:05 am

  i enjoy driving yhe car it is very comfortable and get good highway mileage 25.8 on a 900 mile trip. the quality of fit and finish is excellent.this car is chryslers best kept secret.

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  2003DODGE DURANGO SXT4.7L.V8 4x4 - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By CRM - December 15 - 2:00 am

  RECENTLY PURCHASED THE 2003 DURANGO. DROVE LATE 2002 SNOW STORM AND THE TRUCK HANDLES AWESOME. IMPRESSED WITH THE POWER AND STEERING. HAS ALOT OF GREAT FEATURES BUT NOT TOO HAPPY WITH THE GAS MILEAGE.

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  2003DODGE DURANGO SXT4.7L.V8 4x4 - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By crm - December 15 - 2:00 am

  RECENTLY PURCHASED THE 2003 DURANGO. DROVE LATE 2002 SNOW STORM AND THE TRUCK HANDLES AWESOME. IMPRESSED WITH THE POWER AND STEERING. HAS ALOT OF GREAT FEATURES BUT NOT TOO HAPPY WITH THE GAS MILEAGE.

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  PERFECT SIZE - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By RDRGZ - December 14 - 10:16 am

  THIS TRUCK HAS REAL GUTS (V8)AND DRIVES VERY SMOOTH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE INTERIOR IS VERY CONFORTABLE, PLENTY OF ROOM AND QUIET. THE SUSPENSION SEEMS A LITTLE SOFT AT TIMES. THE MPG IS AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED FOR A V8. THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE NOW SITS AS HIGH AT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. NO NEED TO SPEND THE EXTRA $$ ON 4X4 IF YOU ONLY USE IT A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR. SO FAR I LOVE IT AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT BUY FOR WHAT YOU GET.

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  WOW - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By Samantha - December 14 - 1:27 am

  This is my third car and I am 22 years old. To me this car would not have been my choice in car because of the appearance of it ( not being my style ). The car is super comfy and out of the other cars that I have owned this is the best one. However I am having a few problems with it. The hood latch is sticking, it stutters when I accelerate, and the buttons for the heat and air are sticking. With an old car I expect to have some problems but overall its a good car.

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  Fun To Drive - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By John - December 13 - 10:57 am

  Before I bought car I read reviews here n got alitte nervous. But I really like this car fun to drive. And not bad gas mileage about 26 mpg steady. I hope this review don t jinkx me. I bought an extended warranty direct because of what I read here. I plan on keeping car 4 a while. So bought a 5 yr 100 k mile hope I don t need it but I have in just in case. Im 6 ft 285 and the car is comfortable 4 me easy to get in and out of too.

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  Yes, it does have a Hemi! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Moparknighthawk - December 13 - 10:43 am

  The Charger R/T Daytona is a super awesome car! I have loved every mile so far. Being a limited production car, (mine is number 1592 of 4000 made) I love the look and the color. Its loaded to the gills too. I am getting great mileage so far averaging 21 MPG in the 4200 miles I have driven it. It gets noticed everywhere I go. It seems to fit me. I plan on keeping it for many many years to come. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something unique and head turning. Its a true enthusiasts car!