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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  The 1st Review!! - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By joner800 - June 15 - 7:35 am

  i upgraded from a Chrysler 300 w/5.7 Hemi to the Scat Pack as i wanted more performance and couldnt afford the SRT price premium. i just rolled over 2600 miles and have not regretted my decision one bit. the power and performance bang-for-the-buck is unbeatable. the ride is firm but liveable and cabin materials quality is fantastic. if you think all Chargers look like rental cars, think again in Scat Pack/SRT trims, this is the meanest looking sedan out there. and i can have my son in his car seat in the back, my wife in the passenger side, and room in the trunk for plenty of beach or sports gear and be completely comfortable.

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  Here in Brazil its far the best option! - 2015 Dodge Journey
  By fabianodias - June 11 - 9:18 pm

  Weve been on vacation september last in Orlando, where we rented a Journey SXT, being a VW Jetta owner I was a litlle worried about the cars size. We liked so much that returning to Brazil we decided to invest some $$ in a RT JOURNEY V6. Here you also have the Fiat Freemont, that is the fruit of the joint venture of Dodge and Fiat, although they only sell the four cilinder engine. I test drove it and its awfull!! In the othe hand Journey has been an excelent car, strong as hell, confortable as heaven and beautiful as our super model Gisele Bundchen :-)

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  In a class by itself. - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By jchivington - June 9 - 9:49 am

  Took deliveryJune 10th. This car exceeds all my expectations. The manual is very short throw and has excellent feel. Dont even consider getting the automatic in a car like this. The clutch pedal is light with absolutely no chatter. The leather upgrade ($1,750) is well worth the money. The German brands have nothing on this car--except maybe panel fit. My only very small complaint is the radio sound quality not bad but could be better. Feels extremely solid. No wind noise. No rattles. Handles great even in street mode.

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  Fun fun and loving it - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By pantydropper - June 4 - 4:23 pm

  I traded my 2009 MB C300 for the Dodge SXT Rallye edition has upgraded suspension and more ponies under the hood. Im loving every aspect of this car. Honestly this model feels great driving. I was in the market for a car with more cabin space and this car definitely has it. Fuel economy on sticker looks great for this car size only driven it a week puts a smile on me every time I get in. Sure brand is not as prestiges as a Mercedes, however its super fun drive and you get a lot for your money , uconnect is one of the best in market plus XM satellite one year free. Plus the new lines on this car gets a lot attention. I dont feel like I downgraded at all.

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  Done with Caravans - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By weicht - June 3 - 8:59 pm

  I hate Caravans! I bought it used with around 36,000 miles. Around 50,000 miles had to have a position sensor replaced. Now I have 136,000 miles on it and the transmission went.

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  This is power - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By starks1 - June 2 - 11:53 pm

  Bought this one a few months ago with only 98,000 miles on it. I put mid grade gas. 45 dollars to fill up the tank and lasts a week. Putting about 40 miles daily. As long as oil change plug wires and fuel cleaner is done every 4,000 miles(full synthetic) sea foam fuel cleaner, runs perfect solid smooth. Oil change is about 70 16 plugs runs about the same for good quality. But on the highway no daily driver can catch up to you. Peaking at 148 mph. Back from jersey at night no Lexus or Mercedes can keep up. Warning pistons rated at a max of 500hp. Be careful tuning just add k&n flow master full exhaust w headers and family and muscle car cant ask for more as a family man.

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  CAUTION When Buying - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By chris8056 - June 1 - 4:44 pm

  So, I am a college student and I drive in LA everyday. I needed a car that got good millage and that was affordable, the dart seemed like a good fit. But, I was completely wrong! So, the car has broken down on me more than 8 times in less than one year. The next day after i bought it, it broke down (No more than 2 driving hours). This car is not reliable and unsafe, I am still under warranty and I have extended warranty, but the dealership rarely does things to fix the car. They have told me to contact Chrysler because the car is a "Lemmon" and it should be red flagged. But after my plea with Chrysler they have denied me a buy back program.

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  Driving 2005 Dakota 4x4 QuadCab 8 Years - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By cool_breeze1 - May 31 - 10:28 am

  I would call this an average vehicle with average performance and average reliability. Gas mileage, performance, comfort, reliability not awful but not great, mostly in the middle leaning towards the better side. I have the towing package and hear that the truck is great for its size, however I have never towed with it, owned it since 2007 and do not know whether previous owner towed. MPG has crept down over the years to around 14 city, 18 highway - wish that I had purchased the 8 cyl since the day I got this one, as the smaller engine has made no difference in mileage but a lot of difference in fun, 8 is better. Average maintenance, minor warranty work on heater fan motor, OK truck.

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  Just an awesome vehicle - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By jayinwv - May 28 - 9:11 pm

  Just traded in a 13 charger RT for the tri coat red 8 speed challenger srt 392 with black racing stripes. In 2 days the transmission has already begun to adapt to my driving style. I am using it as a daily commuter and it is a joy to drive. I loved my charger but the 6.4L and the 8 speed is just flat out awesome. The sound is nostalgic as is the acceleration. Everything about this car is catering to the driver. MPG is not why you get such a car but in 2 days of mixed city/highway I am averaging nearly 19. That is nearly what i got with the charger in the 5.7L and does include having ample fun too. This car is not for everyone but beats the snot out of overpriced euro imports.

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  Fabulous ride - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By wickednice - May 25 - 1:22 pm

  I just love this car. Best car I ever got. Had one problem. A mechanic replaced my fuel cap with a generic cap. And I had ploblems with the sensors until I replaced the fuel cap with the proper dodge fuel cap. Never had a problem with the car ever again.