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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  Dodge Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By N Moore - December 14 - 2:36 pm

  I love my Dodge Charger! It is so fun to drive! Handles great and rides like a dream. I have had many cars and SUVs over the years and the Charger is definitely my favorite.

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  Feel The Power - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By DRWIX - December 14 - 1:35 pm

  I bought my R/T Magnum new after driving the 300 and Charger I liked the magnum the best as far as handling. There is nothing I do not like about this car other than they are not making it after 2008. Shame on you Dodge, you never really advertised this car much as it was that was your fault, all things considered it sold well to begin with. Personally I think you should have redesigned it to offer a third seat, watch how it would sell then Dodge Brothers. I would buy another and I just may try an 08.

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  New car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Andrew Figone - December 13 - 4:53 pm

  The Caliber rides nice and smooth with no transmission kick. The gauges look sleek. Especially at night, they light up really nice. Even the cupholders light up a cool aqua blue. The controls in the steering wheel make driving so much easier. Get the black one.

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  Love this Car - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By T K - December 11 - 8:01 am

  I absolutely love this car. I had been driving a Lincoln Aviator for a bit, but test drove the Charger and instantly feel in love. The power is awesome. The interior is very stylish and comfortable. Even though Ive only had it a couple of days...I dont think Ill ever get rid of this car.

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  Faster n hell - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By Eric Dehaan - December 10 - 11:25 am

  Awesome car. Looks good,drives good,total package.

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  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Andy268 - December 10 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best riding and handling cars I have ever owned. The 3.5 V6 has plenty of power. I get looks almost everywhere I go. Dodge has built a Winner.

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  Great Car worth whatever you pay - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Erik - December 9 - 9:21 pm

  I bought my first Stealth may, it was a dream car of mine, a 1994 ES. It ran great for the first month, then I had some problems (at a very high cost) a $1000 fuel tank and pump and $500 worth of brake work. There were quite a few problems, but I bought the car with 150,000 miles on it so I guess I should have seen that coming. Recently, however, I was lucky enough to find a cheap 1993 R/T with only 83,000 miles and a standard tranny. This car runs awesome I cant complain, it is easy to drive, and every time I take my friends out to show them what it can do, they are amazed. This thing is a 4200 lb sports car with 222Hp and drives like this? I cant imagine what a tt would be like.

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  Im a belever! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By DURANG02 - December 9 - 8:23 am

  I have owned a lot of vehicles including Explorers and Blazers. I even work at a Ford dealership. I purchased my Durango last summer because I liked the agressive look of the Dodge and it had 3rd row seating, an option I was looking for. Since then I have put alot of miles on my Durango and I have to say I love the comfort and the design of the vehicle. I recently had to use the 4WD and it impressed me even more. The only bad thing I have to say about it is the fuel mileage is not all that great at about 15 mpg, but for all the other great great things about the vehicle. I can live with it.

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  4.0 liter V6--R/T version - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Petros - December 6 - 6:57 pm

  I tested both the 3.7 and the 4 liter engines and found that the 4 liter was a rocketship compared to the 3.7 engine. I purchased the 4 liter. The R/T package will also get you 20 inch wheels and a sports turned suspension. The R/T version handles as well as my Audi A4 in tight corners with this package and I am amazed at the quickness of this SUV. Very little lean. Fuel economy is rated at 21 miles per gallon and with only 350 miles, I am getting 18.2mpg. The interior fits my style and is very confortable. The slide and go storage is great for anyone with a sore back getting items out of the rear end. Built in GPS, subwoofer, bluetooth and 20 gig hard drive with Ipod plug in. I am happy.

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  Love It ! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Sidney - December 4 - 11:16 am

  Ive had my 2008 Nitro for 2 months now and I love it. I do a lot of driving ( 8300 miles already) and this just makes it fun. I like the look of it, mine is dark blue and I like the way it handles and the way it looks.