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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  Bad Choice...DONT BUY - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Deann - October 29 - 1:05 pm

  Ever since I purchased the nitro i have had nothing but problems with it every time i take it in to get service they have a number of recalls and usually keep my suv for 5 days.. the roof racks have riped off 3 times, cant get the door to the gas cap open without a stick because the casing is broke for the 2 time there is no foot space on the driver side....sometimes it wont start... the engine light comes on and off continously...pieces of the interior vents are falling off...just a all around bad car

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  I have the 2.0L w/CVT Tranny - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By SteveLewis - October 29 - 10:59 am

  I love this car. The CVT shifts seamlessly, and this car takes off like a rocket!!! If you keep your foot off the floor, it gets excellent gas mileage. Ive got almost 38k miles on this car, and it still runs like it did when it was new. The steering system is tight! It corners like a compact, and has a lot of power for a four-cylinder. Go Dodge!!!

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  One Awsome Ride - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Mark Wigley - October 29 - 3:00 am

  When I heard that this car was on tap from the boys at Mopar I got real interested. Since I missed having one of the original muscle cars I was ready. I have hated driving front wheel drive cars most of my life. When I saw the first new Charger and had a chance to drive it with the Hemi I had to have one. I am a automotive technician and have the opportunity to drive just about everything on the road. For the money, I dont think you can buy another car that is this well enginieered with the looks and performance that this car has.

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  Dont do it! - 2013 Dodge Avenger
  By Kumacho - October 28 - 4:18 am

  I have had more than 25 cars in my life. Of those I have purchased 5 new cars. This is the worst new car I have ever owned and one of the worst overall cars I have ever owned. It overheated within 5,000 miles of ownership. An orange grime appeared in the overflow tank and when I took it to the dealership they told me they had seen it numerous times and it was casting material that had not been completely flushed from the system at the factory. The cruise control would refuse to turn on at times and the dealership could never reproduce it so it never was repaired. It just became an issue I had to “live with”. Fit and finish is mediocre at best. The plastic surrounding the radio and middle vents in the dash never matched and again, the dealership stated replacing it wouldn’t change the gaps or the poor fit. The car had a surge from the day I bought it. It also would start up and surge after a cold start, as if it were running too lean. After three new releases of programing for the engine management computer the surge was still there. It would surge at 25-35 mph and at 60ish mph. For 178 horse power this car has undesirable and inexcusable torque steer. Leave a light from a stop and the car will pull hard right. Leave the light under hard acceleration and if you don’t have ahold of the wheel you will do an un-commanded lane change in short order. The transmission never shifted smoothly. Going uphill it would hunt for a gear. Each time the transmission changes gears the torque steer pulls on the steering so going up a hill you are constantly correcting. The airbag warning light went off at 50,000 miles. Source was a terrible design by Dodge. There is a bungee cord pulling down on the wire bundle that leads to the headrest airbags. Place a 220 pound man in the driver’s seat with this bungee cord pulling on the wires and you get broken wires. Doesn’t take an engineer to figure that one out. Overall – Poor design, poor build quality, poor economy, horrible dealer support (or lack thereof) and a car that appears to be built to die in 5 years or less. *UPDATE* Chrysler has stopped production on the Dart, 200 and Avenger. These platforms were substandard compared with others in the same class. Since I created this review; I have traded the Avenger for a Nissan Altima. I traded it with the same company that has sold me my last 5 cars. The best they would offer me for trade was $5,600. Trouble from the day I purchased it, poor MPG, mediocre quality and a horrid resale value.

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  First SUV for Grandpa - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By James - October 28 - 2:43 am

  I am a Dodge die hard, bought the Journey after deciding that my 93 Dakota 4wd was out dated. Needed to keep a tow vehicle though as I have a small boat. Replacement vehicle needed to have decent towing capacity and all the latest safety features. So far this vehicle has proven to be very decent, good ride, extremely quiet, great interior storage. Like the radio controls on the steering wheel, very handy. V-6 very responsive, same HP as Dakota 318 v-8, this puppy will scoot when ask to, 6 speed trans works well. No towing info yet as hitch and wiring harness back ordered at dealership. I special order this vehicle and towing components should have been installed at factory, not the dealer.

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  Yeehaaaa - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By JAT - October 27 - 10:37 pm

  Yes it is hard on gas, show me a SUV full size able to tow 8500 lbs that is not. Still better than my pops 85 two door chev. Stay away from Dodge service if possible, lots of local mechanics have the computer diagnostic available. No issue as of yet, just loving it. Kids love the whole dvd thing, wife loves being high up and safe thing, I love knowing I can pass at anytime.

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  Has been very good - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By KC - October 27 - 10:31 pm

  Caravan SE bought in 1994 with 10k miles from Thrifty Car Rental. Has been a very good car. 3.3 is peppy and fairly economical. Nice and roomy. Not sexy but love the practicality. I dont use the third seat since I usually dont have passengers. Had a starting problem a few times and replaced starter. Air bag light came on but it was just fuse #13. No problems, just regular maintenance. A friend bought a 96 and had many major problems. Strangely, this Caravan has been more reliable than Honda and Toyota of same year/mileage in the family!

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  Worst Car Ever - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By No more Dodges - October 27 - 9:13 pm

  We bought this because Dodge was supposed to be the leader in mini- vans, but what a costly embarrassment this thing is. We replaced a transmission at 73,000 , the radio at 19,000 , one window motor and after that was fixed the other one went out. The worst part is that I could have bought a Ford with 0.0 percent and I made the mistake of buying this piece of Chrysler junk. If you buy a U.S. car stick with a Ford!

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  Love it! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Les - October 27 - 8:29 pm

  I love everything about this vehicle. 23,000 and not a single problem. Drives great and runs great. Wouldnt change a thing.

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  Great Buy - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By gusser - October 27 - 2:45 pm

  We purchased on looks and very surprised with performance and reliability. In 33,000 miles the only repair has been the low tire warning sensor. We purchased the R/T package with the Tow kit. Miles are evenly split between city and highway. Only word of caution: the 20" std equipment tires will hydroplane easily. We will probably replace with ice/snow tires to improve road grip. Well buy another if still available at trade in time.