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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  Best car I ever bought - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By vjklander - July 28 - 2:46 pm

  My wife and I looked around for a new car and came down to the Chrysler A300, Dodge Charger, and the Dodge Magnum. When we saw the all-black Magnum we just loved the styling and found the rear cargo space desirable since we often need to take her parents to doctors appointments and the wheelchair fits easily.

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  Very good truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By M. Woehrle - July 26 - 4:57 pm

  This truck has given me 85,000 miles of worry free driving so far. I have had no major problems. The only repair other than normal maintenance has been a power window motor. Interior is comfortable, even on long drives. Styling is excellent. Ride and fuel mileage are pretty reasonable for a 4wd truck with a V8. I average 13-15 around town, and about 19 on the highway.

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  Awesome ride - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Donna - July 26 - 7:59 am

  It is a great car and really fun to drive. Powerful and fast. Thank God for cruise control. I am really pleased and excited to drive my Charger. What a big change from driving the Camaro, no longer have to fall in or crawl out. Love it!

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  Awesome! - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By TC - July 25 - 6:44 am

  Ive had my 1991 non-turbo R/T for about 3 years. It is the best car I have ever driven! It is great in the corners, comfortable for long trips, and has decent performance (wish I had a TT though!!). I have been rear ended twice in this car, once very seriously (other guy totaled, I have permanent back injuries), and all it needed was minor repairs - it is built like a tank! I have had minor maintenance done, timing belt, water pump, heater hoses, all things that should be done on routine maintenance anyways. The guy before me wore down the clutch a lot so I needed a new one of those too. Anyways, I absolutely love this car, and hate to have to give it up for something more practical.

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  Great Truck! - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By moparjim - July 24 - 10:06 pm

  Bought used off eBay great price, sight unseen. When picked-up instrument cluster was dead - no speedo, but had cruise. Drove that way from MA to PA & commuted from PHL to BFO for month. Cluster replaced from junkyard - $35. Tot. miles unknown. Ive added 50K+. Orig. from NH. Radiator disintegrated last summer. Brakelines rusted out. V-6 w/5spd = outstanding. Uses daily commute, home improvement projects, towing cars and trailers, etc. Heavy, rough use. Great ride. Rear wheelwells, bottom of doors rusting through. AC compressor replaced from eBay. Headliner has now fallen down. Get 19 mpg commuting, 21 mpg w/ popup on highway, 23 mpg w/o trailer w/ tonneau on highway.

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  Dodge all the way - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By Lovin_chevy84 - July 24 - 9:13 pm

  I bought this truck used with 150k miles on almost 2 years ago, I am way over 2k now and the only things that I had to replace is the fuel filter and the water pump, plus maintenance. This truck is my baby! I almost didnt get it, but boy, Im glad I did. I have taken this girl all over the south from Tenn, to N.C to FL to Tx and shes never left me stranded, walking or mad. Best truck Ive ever had and Ive had plenty!

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  Great Car! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Tuckercmop - July 24 - 8:49 pm

  The Charger is a wonderful vehicle that loves to move. I have to say its the first automatic Ive driven that doesnt mind going past the red line. The only downer is that I had it back in the shop after 11 days for a malfunctioning rocker in the engine. The dealership fixed it and its been better ever since. When I first got in it, I thought the interior was too plain, but the smooth and sporty ride is what sold me.

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  The best there is - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By RoadRunneR - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Went shopping for a new vehicle and after test driving trucks and SUVs from just about every manufacturer the Durango won hands down. Lots of power, looks great and good price after the $4500 rebate.

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  Great truck - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By tallicahead - July 18 - 9:42 am

  My experience was great getting my truck. It was my first car that I have actually bought new. Truck handles like a dream around corners. I’d like to see a Chevy do that.

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  05 Dingo - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Bdubb - July 18 - 2:58 am

  Ive owned for nearly 2 years overall never any major problems. The closest thing to any problem was the CD- changer speed slowed down but has been repaired. Overall still impressed that the Hemi in city still averages 19.2 - 20.6 mpg with no mods going 35-45mph stop n go. Seamlessly tows, smooth ride, nice acceleration a nice vehicle for family and people that like to tow their wheeled toys around.