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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  08 Nitro - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Shawn&Angel - December 23 - 4:07 pm

  My wife wanted a Jeep so I test drove everything they had and bought the Nitro instead, The reason I gave this such a good rating is based on its price compared to everything else in its category. It is not the fastest nor most powerful thing I test drove but it was 7000 less than the next competitor and had much better performance per dollar and was so much more fun to drive than the super soft inadequate feeling suspension on the grandma grocery getter Jeeps I drove.

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  Fun and Practical - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Steve Miley - December 23 - 2:36 pm

  I travel all over the country and I carry a large amount of cargo (clothes, golf clubs, household items, etc...) and my Magnum has been OUTSTANDING! Even with the 2.7L the acceleration is adequate in almost any situation and the fuel economy has been fantastic for such a large vehicle (averaging 22-28 depending on speed) even when loaded down. The styling is what drew me to it, the quality is why Im keeping it until the V6 gives out. Then I can put my own version of the Hemi in it! The ride is so smooth and quiet, even at high speed, and it handles like a car 1000 lbs. lighter (Thanks Mercedes). Got mine for under $20,000, and Im astounded with its features and looks. Go Dodge!

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  Best wagon ever! - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By MagRT - December 21 - 1:57 pm

  Im writing this just to express my anger that Chrysler will stop producing this excellent vehicle. Great perfomer, has place for 5 tall people + luggage. Only minus is the fuel economy - in the city. All distances that I drive in a normal day are 3-6 miles with 5-10 traffic lights. Avg: 13 MPG. Highway - over 24 MPG.

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  2004 Dodge Grand Caravan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By busrun - December 21 - 2:00 am

  So far very good!

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  Great SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By wcadj - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my Durango. It is a 1999, and I am debating whether or not to trade it in. It has 103,000, and all I have put into it was a new radiator. This is a GREAT SUV

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  Awesome SRT-8 - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Ron Nichols - December 19 - 8:23 am

  I bought this car before gas went to $3.50 per gallon, but I would not hesitate to buy it again. It is an awesome car, beautiful, comfortable, attracts attention everywhere it goes, and with acceleration that shames any pont car. It is rated at 14/20 mpg but I always beat that. I average 20 in overall driving. Strictly interstate it will average 24-25 mpg. It is the most fun to drive of any car Ive owned including a Cobra, a G-35, 2 SHOs, and a Grand Prix GTP. I only wish it was available with a 6-speed manual transmission.

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  I would love to have mine back! - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By 2003 Stratus SXT - December 18 - 11:15 pm

  I absolutely loved this car! Had no problems what so ever. Took it to the mechanic only for oil changes and check ups. I bought the car one year old with 38k miles on it and just recently was in an accident that totaled it with 102K. My accident involved 2 Semi trucks and me and my passenger walked away without even a scratch or an ache! Would recommend this car in a heart beat. Only negatives: turning radius, hard to see out back window, lack of space in back seat.

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  Master of the Road - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By J.D Hanke - December 17 - 8:43 pm

  Ive always been a Dodge fan, but my new Durango has me hooked for life. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I traved through some of the worst winter driving conditions of my experience. Never have I felt more connected to the road that I was with the Durangos AWD. My family rode comfortable for 7 hours and I had full confidence in the vehicle. Its all Id ever wanted or excected in an SUV!

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  This car is the bomb! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Lord J - December 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car i have ever drove, it has lots of features and upgrades that are avalible. Theres been no competion on the street with this car, (beside the M5 that kicked my butt which i expected for $60,000+)it is fast and furious, and i dont regret buying this car, and for the price, its a steal, im waiting for Stage 2 turbo upgrade to make this car even faster, good job Dodge, 2 thumbs up.

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  Yup, Its another Mopar alright - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DaMoparGuy - December 16 - 11:00 pm

  Mopar is back with the return of the Charger. I think that they should have saved the return of the HEMI for the return of the Charger to make a huge come back, but hey, thats just me. This car is no slouch on the gas pedal, and less than half way up the rpm range, you realize what a Hemi is all about. This is an excellent reincarnation of the classic Mopar performance car.