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:

• 

  Great Car overall. - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By jrv14 - May 14 - 11:39 pm

  I have only had it a few days. I seems to drive well. It has great handling and a smooth ride. I have always owned Mitsubishi cars I was shoping for an Eclipse and I changed my mind because the 2 door coupe Stratus has the same Mitsubishi built drive train as the Eclipse. I like the body better than the Eclipe because it has more room in the back seat. I really am enjoying my car.

• 

  Fast and Fun - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Leslie - May 14 - 3:54 pm

  All in all I will have to say this is my all time favorite car! Love the power! No more waiting to get out in traffic. Plenty of cargo space and seats are very comfy. The only downside is that it is so peppy that we cant seem to keep our foot off of the gas! We were sold from the test drive on this car. If youre going to get one, get the Hemi! It is well worth it!

• 

  Awesome Vehicle - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Andy Stebbing - May 12 - 2:50 am

  Our 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan gets 24 mpg, is flex fuel, 3.8 v 6 for power, 16 inch tires for snow, mud while hunting, dvd for the kids.

• 

  Poor steering - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By g bell - May 11 - 6:36 pm

  The Dodge Magnum is having a problem with the front end pulling to the right. Ive had it in the shop 5 times since I purchased it in August. Its better, now the car just drifts to the right, but on a distance drive your arm will still be sore .Dodge said its engineers are working on the problem but its been a couple of months. Though Im past the lemon law, I love the car and dont want to give it up. I hope they come up with something soon! My friend at work has the same problem with his and and loves it to much to give it up

• 

  Great Value - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By adam - May 7 - 7:33 pm

  This is the 3rd SUV I have owned and I like far better than the other two(1996 Explorer and 2001 Pathfinder).The ride is similar to that of a luxury car in terms of comfort and noise. The 3rd row of seats is actually easy to use and big enough for two adults. Overall I think its a great vehicle.

• 

  Powerful, reliable and versatile - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By dodge driver - May 6 - 5:49 pm

  I am the first owner of an 2001 Dodge Durango, which I drove off the lot with about 7-8 miles on it. This is an extremely powerful, comfy to drive, versatile and reliable car. Biggest repair was new computer, which I got aftermarket with lifetime warranty for about $350. Only other repair was the idle control valve. Would buy one again, but delayed, because the new version is ugly, chunky and way too big. So I decided to drive it until it doesnt drive anymore, junk it and find another car as good. Friends sold theirs with 250k miles on it! Amazing.

• 

  Dependable, car - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By mpoulsen - May 5 - 11:19 pm

  I have had this care now for 6 years and have had a great experience. I have had no major mechanical expense, just routine maintainece.

• 

  European Accents & Ride - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By diggy1969 - May 5 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been the best Ive ever owned. I wanted a mercedes, but decided not to spend an unrediculous amount on a vehicle. I chose the Dodge Magnum SXT, because of its sleek styling and european accents. The safety features are the best Ive ever seen. I feel like I have total control

• 

  Great car - gonna miss it! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By stratusgirl - May 5 - 8:47 am

  I loved my Dodge Stratus - the reason I say "loved" is because Im about to sell it to my brother. Im upgrading to an SUV with 4 wheel drive, but if I wasnt, I would keep my Stratus. I also owned a 98 Dodge Stratus before I was in an accident and totalled it out, but my first choice was again, another Stratus. They are great looking, smooth confortable rides, good fuel economy, great get up and go and overall fun to drive. I never once had any maintenance issues with either Stratus I owned. I only had regular oil changes and that was all I ever had to do - these are great cars!

• 

  Best Truck Ever - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Nutt - May 5 - 1:54 am

  This is a great truck. Nothing but normal tune up stuff done. Never had a problem from .3 miles to 159,000 miles. Wouldnt trade it for the world.