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:

• 

  One great car :-) - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By scooi29 - April 13 - 2:30 pm

  I owned my 2004 dodge durango SLT 5.7 Hemi for almost 9 years. Ive owned over ten cars in my life and never had a better car than my durango. Only had to replace the battery, and the brakes but thats it. I just hit 100 thousand today and still drives like when I bought it with 8 miles. This car could go for another 100 thousand without a problem!! My sister just got a 2009 ford explorer and that has had more problems than my Durango.

• 

  Will Be Tough to Replace - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By runnikee - April 12 - 8:57 am

  I bought my truck with 40k miles on it in 2002 and it is still running like a champ. I replaced the transmission after 150k miles, but that is the only major issue Ive had with it. Im now at 235k miles on my truck and am having a hard time finding a new vehicle because I dont think I will ever get this type of value again. Mileage is between 15.5 and 18 mph, depending on how I drive. I have the 5.2L V8 (318) and couldnt be happier. Change the oil, tires, and other basic maintenance and youll have no issues. Also, Ive found through test-driving countless newer vehicles (cars and trucks), that most do not have as smooth of a ride as my truck does.

• 

  Dodge hits the mark! - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By azrollo - April 6 - 2:02 pm

  I have had this car for a month and love everything about it. Interior is beautiful and very nice for the price class it is in. I am averaging 38.2 miles per gallon (calculated manually)driving mostly hwy at 72 mph. I am very pleased with the vehicle and hope it lasts.

• 

  Hidden Gem - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By beast91 - April 6 - 9:23 am

  When this vehicle was first introduced in 08 and i saw one on the road it quickly brought me back to sitting in the classroom in my HS in CT mid 70s watching muscle cars of that era occasionally zipping by with a roar and garnering the attention of a select few of the boys in the classroom. Fast forward to today and the fascination of the cars are now captivating a new generation while extending the opportunities of yesteryear to those of us who now have the means in participating in the ownership of one of these great machines. The Chevelle SS was always my favorite with the 69-70 Challenger a close second. No modern era Chevelles, so the SRT 8 is it, AND BOY I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!

• 

  Love our big black toy - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By shane138821 - April 5 - 11:03 pm

  we bought this durango about 6 months ago. When we purchased her, she had 151,000 miles on her and she ran great. now Just from six months time she still runs perfect and has just rolled over 200,000. this truck has never asked us for anymore the common maintnence and a set of shocks. And even with her age and miles i still wont hesitate to run her the 1,800 miles back to the state of nevada next week. her fuel milage is a bit on the expensive side. but with the raw power and the fact that i can shoot around just about any corner with ease its well worth giving up a few extra bucks in gas.

• 

  Second Dodge in a year - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By russl57 - March 30 - 6:25 pm

  Last year I had difficulty in deciding whether to buy a Charger or Challenger. I bought the Charger and liked the Dodge product so much that this year I bought a Challenger. Both are RTs. The Charger was a better value but the Challenger is a great car. A lot of people want to compare the Challenger to the Camaro and Mustang. This is a huge mistake. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For pure speed and handling the Challenger will never compete with the Camaro or Mustang. For comfort, room and road presence the Camaro and Mustang are not in the same class as the Challenger.I like all three cars and I am not brand loyal at all. I bought an RT Plus in Granite Metallic, just Beautiful

• 

  Great van with lots of versatility - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By aveybaby - March 30 - 12:49 am

  This is the perfect vehicle for a family. I got hooked on Dodge Caravans years ago. I had one that lasted ten years with no problems until the transmission went out at about 200,000 miles. I bought a Windstar and didnt like it so got new Dodge Caravan again. For as much space and comfort as it has you cant beat the gas mileage. I consistently average 20 mpg. Considering that you can seat 7, thats a good value. Ive replaced the battery, and the tires. Its now getting a bit older, over 150k miles on it, so Ive replaced the radiator because of a leak, and the oxysensor valves (check engine light came on). Good value overall.

• 

  Smokin HOT - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By challengerlady - March 24 - 1:17 pm

  I LOVE my 2012 Rallye Redline. Shes a show stopper and a pleasure to drive. Since I cruise in her and will take her cross country, it was important to me when selecting a sports car to find one that looked fabulous, drove well, and didnt rattle my teeth out with every single bump in the road. Comfort is a key component of my Challenger, along with the strong look of a muscle car (no mistaking what a Challenger is), and muscle car action. I drove a Mustang and a Camaro before choosing the Challenger. Okay, the Challenger is not as fast, but how could it be with its size and weight? However, it sure the heck rides and looks a LOT better!!!

• 

  Best of the best built to last - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By bucksbigtrucks - March 21 - 10:28 pm

  Bought this truck with 201,000 miles, no problems. Now has 225,000 miles, still no problems. This truck runs so strong like it has only 25,000 miles. It can tow pretty much anything and 4X4 works great. Very satisfied with it. Only like the First Generation models though Second Generation looks too much like a van. Stick with the 99 - 03 and youll enjoy it.

• 

  Great car for a GREAT price - 2013 Dodge Journey
  By joe19462 - March 21 - 8:41 am

  This American Value Package is a deal. You get options included that cost additional from other manufactures. The car is great in the City and handles the Interstates well. I cant think of a better car with options for this price. We did not take the third row seating as it eliminates all the storage in the vehicle except for a space about the width of 1 suitcase standing on end. We are only two people and use the car to transport ourselves primarily. However, we take 2 grandchildren on occasion and need the storage behind the seating. I am not sure haw this effects the acceleration but mine get up and goes pretty good!