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:

• 

  Awsome Machine by Dodge - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Eric Reed - August 11 - 6:36 pm

  I wanted one of these cars and finally found the right one. It is a thrill to drive and very popular with the family. Dodge has done it ! Ive had Challengers, Cudas and others and this awsome ride surpasses them all. All I can say is " Hemi baby " and I have always loved the 383 engine.

• 

  fun+fast+roomy - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Dan101 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I think its a great all around car its easy on gas yet has the zip of a sport car and the room do get the groceries

• 

  Lil Red Wagon - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Joe B - August 10 - 1:43 am

  This is one GREAT wagon.

• 

  2 year rating - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By tsarge - August 8 - 7:06 pm

  In 2 years had minor problems. Small tranny leak and a small rattle under the right front splash guard. Thats it! I have gotten up to 27 mpg @ 70mph for a 120 miles. City is right around 16.

• 

  I love my Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Adam - August 8 - 8:08 am

  I love everything about it. Its milage I think is its only downfall which is really not that bad. I have the 4.7 v8 and thats enough power for me. I havent had any problems out of it eithier

• 

  Worth my dollars! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Covenant64 - August 7 - 3:53 am

  The Daytona RT I purchased is turning out to be the dream car I never knew I wanted till I got it. It is fun to drive, its gas mileage is awesome for a V8 Hemi, it looks incredible, and most importantly, its a Dodge. My previous 2 vehicles were Dodge and in my experience Dodge = Dependability. You can feel the MDS kick in to improve the gas mileage and it doesnt take much learning to figure out the proper way to drive this car. If you want power, its got plenty to spare.. when your cruising at 75 and need to pass someone, when you press the gas pedal, you GIT... Worth every penny.

• 

  Wind noise drives me crazy - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By b. mccarthy - August 6 - 4:13 pm

  I love this car, but there is a terrible whistle when the car reaches 90-100 km/hr. Very annoying when driving long trips. Chrysler is trying to fix this problem. Anyone else having the same problem?

• 

  All that I expected - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Annie - August 6 - 1:53 pm

  I rented a Nitro and liked it enough to look at them more closely and buy one. It has met my expectations in every way so far. There are reviews that state that the handling is poor, however I beg to differ and have driven it in snow, rain, sleet, ice and on country roads as well as city. The heater/defrost system is excellent, as is the premium sound system. The back seat has lots of room - no problems accomodating a large/tall person. I average 18mpg, which is just marginally less than what I got out of my previous (smaller) SUV.

• 

  NIce so far - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By pharaoh - August 5 - 7:45 pm

  I was looking for a RAM pickup but after seeing the Dakota I was sold. I love the exterior look (silver paint) of it and the smaller size means that my wife and daughter can drive it as well. Rides very quiet for a truck.

• 

  Love it! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Daigs - August 5 - 12:32 pm

  Ive had great luck with my Durango. Only complaint is that the balljoints had to be replaced but that is common with these. Other than that, its been flawless. Ive got about 100,000 miles on it, no issues. The 4.7L V8 is a great engine!