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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  If you dont own one maybe you should - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rick - December 7 - 7:43 am

  This is our second Dodge van, the first one a 2003 we tried to save money on and bought the Caravan SXT with no features. Never had any trouble with this van at all and really liked it. Until all the incentives came out and we upgraded for less money to the Grand Caravan. If you have kids, upgrade. You wont be sorry. Convenient hooks for grocery bags all over the place. 3 zone control. I never wanted a minivan, now I wouldnt be without it, kids or no kids. For the money, I dont think you will find a better deal. Started buying Dodge products 4 years ago and I have yet to schedule a service call. Sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes products are just that good?

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  happy in fresno - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By tony nuccio - December 6 - 8:44 pm

  happy with the car but disappointed that the paint did not hold it color though the years.

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  MORGANS MOPAR - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Morgan - December 6 - 11:36 am

  I posted a picture of the concept of this car on the wall for two years before I got one. I had my heart set on an SRT8 but found an RT with the Inferno Red and a six speed and one test drive and that was it. I am 41 and have owned 30 vehicles of every kind and this is by far my favorite. Great power, handling, ride, comfort, mileage and looks. It can get 28 mpg if you drive it under seventy and will run up to 140. This car is incredible for long trips. We had a family member go into the hospital 900 miles away and couldnt get any quick flights so took off at night. Got 24 mpg running 84 mph and after my wife fell asleep at midnight averaged 90 to 110mph for 400 miles on I80 and it got 19 mph.

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  new dodge journey - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By e-mae - December 5 - 1:39 pm

  has all options, love it,great running vehicle,lots of power, people stop me to ask about it, also take pictures of it. finally figured out to get over drive for econ gas. i would recommend this vehicle to everyone.

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  So Far, So Good - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Dave & Debi H - December 4 - 8:46 pm

  My wife says this car drives itself and she is not far from the truth. It has it all, and has gotten rave reviews from all of our friends who have seen it.

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  Title? - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mxp - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the third van Ive owned and its OK. I bought it specifically for the AWD option which is great. It works well and has all the room I expect out of a minivan (to haul bikes, kayaks, gear, etc.) and so I have no real issues with it. Its been reliable and has had no major problems. However the seats are VERY uncomfortable, to the point that we do all we can to take any of our other cars, especially on extended trips. The other problem is the headlights are terrible - they put too little light on the road at night.

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  very disatisfied - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By tripet - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very unreliable. When it goes into the shop it is there for at leas a day or two. One time it was in the shop for three weeks. I will never buy another dodge product.

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  Best car Ive ever owned.. - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By achaeon - December 3 - 11:03 am

  I love it. I look forward to driving it everyday. Its fast, it handles well and its comfortable.

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  great vehicle - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By TODD - December 3 - 10:42 am

  The towing is amazing. I tow a big camper and a horse trailer, neither sinks the suspension. Power, ride, and handling are all good. I have had nothing fixed as of yet. A rock solid vehicle for smaller people. My only complaint is I am a bigger guy and the seat is just to high, steering wheel is to low.

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  Sweet Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By j - December 2 - 4:10 pm

  This car out of the box is fun to drive. Thanks to the SRT group for the atfermarket parts such as Stage 1,2,3.