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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  Probably the best 3rd-rower, but could be better - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By luke555 - August 9 - 11:25 am

  I looked at all the worthy competitors before settling for the Durango. The Explorer was out quick (cramped interior/3rd row, cumbersome controls), the CX-9 lost on the kids-only 3rd row and boat looks, the Highlander on the smaller size overall, the Pilot on the dismaying interior (especially dashboard), noise, avg. reviews. I almost went for the Traverse, which has more room and sits better on the road given the much wider track, but the interior was a little coarse. The Durango won clearly on the looks (other than the rear), as well as on the better than avg. handling, power, interior. I factory-ordered an awd custom Crew with a bunch of options, black w/ black leather.

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  Powerful people hauler - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By rotorbob - August 7 - 1:27 pm

  I bought this red beauty used, it had 29000 miles on it and had been treated poorly: the left sliding door had obviously been damaged and crudely repaired. However, the 3.8 liter V-6 engine not only performed much better than the 3.3 V-6 I was used to in older Caravans I had owned, it got MUCH better mileage, over 25 mpg on a two day, 1500 mile round trip. The best I EVER got out of a 3.3 minivan was barely 20! Ride comfort is outstanding except for a noticeable, but not objectionable wind noise. All accessories work flawlessly. Who needs to drive 118 mph? I can but dont!

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  I loved my Stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By texan65 - August 2 - 11:12 pm

  I just traded in my 2004 Stratus after 7 years and 130,000 miles. I never had any major mechanical failure, just regular maintenance. It was a very reliable car. It was hands-down the best car Ive ever had. I only traded it in because my family just needed something a little bigger.

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  "Mommys New Car!" - 2012 Dodge Journey
  By mommy_hiccup - July 31 - 3:22 am

  This was our first "family" car, though wed had an SUV prior to this purchase. Its been a small adjustment, getting used to being lower to the ground and in a smaller vehicle (narrower than our old vehicle.) The price... its so-so for what you get.

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  11 year new car drought - 2012 Dodge Avenger
  By cardinalgirl - July 29 - 2:06 am

  11 year Cherokee owner, I tried to buy cars in that span but none were right. I wouldnt have bought this one had I been unable to keep the Ch. This Avenger allows me to own both and alternate seasons with them. Once I got used to the new 6 speed 4 cyl. that is so prevalent, I grew to love this car more every time. Gauges instead of dummy lights, steering wheel radio and voice control bluetooth, reliable power windows (so far, heh), the styling is really nice, and, the highway noise just doesnt exist. The steering is fine. Headroom could be better. I6 to 4cyl. I think it should be quicker on the uptake from dead stop to go. All considered, I am more than pleased.

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  Should have blown up by now - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By ibear - July 27 - 12:05 am

  Being that I am required to say this, I work for a company that makes bolts for Honda, Nissan, Ford, Toyota and a few other small companys. But that has nothing to do with this. I bought an automatic 2001 neon es with 117K on it almost two years ago. It now has about 135 on it. It was dew for and oil change at 118 and Im an idiot and never got around to it. I still havent done it. This car is still runng strong. I dont know how, but it is. It kinda has rust issues and the ac just went out. Bought winter yokahoma tires for it and its great in winter. Most reliable car you can buy for the money. Ive been tough on this car for almost 20k with no oil changes and its still going.

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  2011 Journey Impresses - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By zsoupnazi - July 22 - 2:48 pm

  This is my first review, but felt compelled based on my impressions from our Journey. We have had our Journey for 14 months and have put on a whopping 34,00 miles. I have been extremely impressed. In the past we have owned a Durango, Envoy, and Pathfinder. Our Journey has been far and away the best. We have the 6 cylinder and the gas mileage has been fantastic. Just this week we took an instate 300 mile trip and got an incredible 28.8 mpg while the cruise was set at 77-78 mph. I know of no other SUV with a 6 cylinder that can hit these numbers. We have not had a single problem with our vehicle and have lots of extras on it with touchscreen, navigation, 3rd row, and sunroof. Big thumbs up!

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  only a week after I purchased it... - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By dionne25 - July 21 - 2:08 pm

  I bought my Journey at 57K miles. After a week of purchasing it it was in the shop to get something replaced. Now its been 26 days and I took it back to the dealership because the car wouldnt start twice. (sigh) I wish I wouldve read these reviews before purchasing this.

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  Hard to drive it slow... - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By brunilson - July 14 - 1:22 pm

  I love this car, and after having a Charger RT 2011 I recommend the Challenger V6, since it is more fuel efficient, the 305hp is still very fun to drive, and the insurance will be much lower than the V8. The look is the same, and everyone will take pictures and give the attention as it was the RT or even the SRT.

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  amazing truck - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By melissa12493 - July 14 - 12:19 pm

  My family has owned our 2000 durango for 12 years now and it is a fantastic truck. With just about 166,000 miles its still kicking. Just took a truckload of people comfortably to Warped Tour in it with no problems. With the seats down, theres like 80 cubic feet of storage (more than a hummer). Only things that have been replaced are the door locks and heater core and also the AC compressor a long time ago. Cant kill this engine if you tried. A true tank in the snow and ice. Only complaint is the gas mileage, but otherwise this truck has served me well.