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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  Love my Durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Mopar2008 - September 14 - 10:55 pm

  I got this Durango after my car was totaled in a hailstorm. I am very pleased with it. It has plenty of power when needed and is just the right size for me. So far it hasnt given me any problems. I am not going to complain about the gas mileage because I knew what I was getting into when I got it.

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  Great performance and handling - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Tracy Morgan - September 11 - 2:36 pm

  I loved this car. I had it for years. Timing belt broke at about 210,000 miles. Spent about $1300 dollars. Drove it a month and now it is smoking lilke a freight train. I want it fixed. I love the car. I drove a newer neon and the comfort, handling and performance was nowhere near as good as my Neon.

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  MY TANK - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By WBE - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THE BUILD OF THE CAR. THE INTERIOR IS BIG AND ROOMY. THE PASSENGER AREA IS RELAXING, AND THE DRIVE-SMOOTH

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  A great car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By ChrisSt - September 10 - 6:49 pm

  I bought my Neon new in 03 and continue to use it as a daily driver. Dont be fooled by nay-sayers who want to project the first gens problems on the second gen car. My car has been rock solid and reliable. It is as quiet today as it was when new, no squeaks or rattles. And its a steal on the used car market.

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  Thrilling! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By WPA Girl - September 9 - 10:24 am

  I have the SXT. I cant wipe the smile from my face when Im driving. Im getting used to people turning to watch the car go by. I have a hard time passing in traffic because of people riding beside my car to look it over. Gas mileage is averaging about 23mpg for a mix of city/highway driving and goes to about 27 on all highway. It exceeds what I got in my PT Cruiser.

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  Good versatile vehicle - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By Bill - September 6 - 2:31 pm

  I bought this van with 26,000 miles on it in 2003. I have 49,000 on it now. Aside from a minor solenoid leak in the transmission (easy 90 buck fix at dealer) and normal wear and tear items ( specifically the front brakes and serpentine belt)I have had no problems.It starts easily and goes as needed. It has great mileage and good power. The airbag clockspring was recalled- free fix. This van is my workhorse which with normal maintenance hopefully I will get over 100 k out of. I put 137000 on my prior 1992 plymouth voyager and everything worked the whole time. I donated it to the purple heart in good shape. I expect the Dodge to work just as well. Overall this is a great van which paid for itself

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  Great Car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By xtec - September 6 - 12:02 pm

  I had my 06 Charger SXT for almost two years, and it rides like the first day I bought it. I never get tired driving this car. It has a great ride, style, and I think its the best car Chrysler has ever made. I would suggest that anybody buying a car should give the Charger and the 300 a test drive.

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  Good truck - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By john - September 4 - 8:49 pm

  This is one tough truck. 185000 miles and reliable as a new truck. The v6 can put out the power you want even at 14 years old. If you are considering buying go for it.

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  A very good car. - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Joe - September 2 - 6:20 pm

  I had a PT Crusier that was a very good car. But I need a up grade and saw this car. Drove it and said this is the one for me. Everyone tells me that I pick the car that is for me and they love this one. Its a very nice care. I cant wait. Road trip.

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  Love my Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By kixx1185 - September 1 - 11:16 am

  I bought my Nitro a month ago and I love it. I was a little nervous when I read some of the reviews, but I have not had any problems that were reported. When I got home I noticed that I could not put my passenger side when down or up on that side, but the drivers side I could close and open it so I just took it to the dealer for replacement and have had no problems since. Even if I do wind up with transmission problems I have unlimited powertrain so I am not worried at all. I only got the base model but with automatic and I love it. it is not limited at all.