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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  Perfect for me - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By AJ - August 24 - 11:14 am

  I have the 5.7 Hemi I choose it for the only engine with MDS. I am getting good MPG for such a large truck and engine but I drive 90% highway. Thats wht its perfect for me. Just hit the cruise control and sit back and enjoy the great ride and sound system. Carries 6x6ft+ in complete comfort and ample leg room, can squeeze in 2 more little people with no problem. Great performance, surprisingly quick.

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  Great American Muscle Car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By GRC - August 24 - 2:13 am

  I absolutely love this car! The styling is first rate. I have the base SE with the V6, and it has plenty of power with good gas mileage. The handling is excellent for a big car. It corners and rides very smooth. There is plenty of room in front and back. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  LOVE our Journey! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By BostonJoy - August 22 - 11:30 pm

  I was a bit skeptical at first about buying a crossover from Dodge but our Journey has proved me wrong! We have a fully loaded red SXT V6 (only missing the sunroof and DVD player) and love every bit of it. Its roomy, easily hauls people and cargo, and has lots of great features. I regularly drive a friends Honda CRV and hands down, the Journey performs better and makes me feel more protected and comfortable. I realize the interior may not be as "polished" as high end models, but you cant beat the price Dodge offers on this vehicle. Havent had the problems others report. Was a slight burning smell that came from exhaust pipe but it went away after first few hundred miles. Avg 20-23 MPG.

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  Magnum SXT R/T - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Paul Rodriguez - August 22 - 12:47 am

  One off the best cars Ive owned, the speed and control is better then my past sports cars, with better gas mileage too. Wow what a car!

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  Peppy Mid-Size Machine (V8) - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Joe - August 15 - 10:15 pm

  Now that I have the Dakota I am very happy that I bought it. My friends always talk about their fast little cars, and to be in my 5.2 and beating all these sporty little cars makes me laugh so hard. They are relatively easy to work on and I love punching it when I am going slower than 40 mph because getting it to chirp is sweet. The Dakota to me is a fine truck I would buy them for a long time but only from 1997-1999 because of the 5.2 and body style because the new body style to me isnt that good looking.

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  2003 Doge Neon SXT - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Rudy Sias - August 15 - 9:49 am

  This is just a fun car to drive. With the sunroof open and the windows down, this car is a very fun car. Gas mileage is good, and this is both a good commuter car and a roadtrip car. The trunk has plenty of room, as does the car interior. Car maintenance has been simple, with just routine oil changes providing and tire rotations meeting the cars needs.

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  A Sleeper, the R/T is Great - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By maxbob - August 15 - 2:00 am

  This car has a great suspension, tires, brakes, handling, design, and stereo. Just good are seats (cloth), instuments, controls, finish. NOTHING is bad on this car. A best buy at discounted prices, made in America, and adding two things: a front tower sway bar and a replacement K&N air filter adds perfection to performance for less than $100. A great car!

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  SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Lin Dailey - August 15 - 1:00 am

  I have had nothing but pleasure driving this auto. It is quick and corners very nice. Many people try to race me but I just smile and pay attention to the road. I really enjoy driving and this has been one of the funnest cars I have driven in 35 years.

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  Love the Charger - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Dave - August 14 - 5:29 pm

  Checked out lots of cars and SUVs prior to purchase. The Charger beat all of them hands down. The car looks great, drives like a sports car and rides like a Cadillac. One of the few that offered AWD in my price range and had an excellent rebate as well. I needed something to haul the kids around in that wasnt boring.

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  BEST OF 25 YEARS OF VANS/4.0 6 speed - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ETP - August 12 - 9:23 pm

  This is the best Caravan yet and we have 7 in the extended family. The only thing that would be nice is if the drivers seat would lower all the way to the floor. very nice workmanship and a very tight vehicle. I am a mechanic and drove several of these before buying the 4.0. My daughter did too so get one while you can folks.