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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  Love my Caravan - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Andra - March 7 - 8:40 am

  This is the 2nd Caravan that we have had. The first left us for a new home with 215K. This one has 181K and is still trucking. It has a new transmission. The only thing that I dont care for with in comparing the 97 with the 89 was that you lost head room when they rounded it. I liked it better squared off. We get good gas mileage, about 26 highway, 22 around town. It has been a good, reliable car.

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  Very run to drive! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By MagOwner - March 6 - 5:14 pm

  We bought the R/T in 2005. Talk about a fun car to drive! The car is very easy to drive and handles very well.

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  New little red truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By dodgemanchris - March 4 - 11:52 pm

  It is a good truck. Looks great on the road. Handling is unreal, sometimes I forget I am in a truck. Also have not had a lot of problems out of it. Tire size is a little odd, so prices are kind of high. But when it handles that good, it evens out. Overall,it is a good truck that you can do light work with in the day, and then a night take your girl out on the town. Trust me,she will ask to drive.

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  Better For the Buck - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Danny - March 3 - 7:52 am

  I love this SUV. Had a 2004 Denali and for the price its as good or better. Same features and at $15000 lower price. Cant be telling this but Hemi is the kicker.

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  Love My Hemi - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Scott C - March 2 - 9:05 pm

  This thing is fantastic, this is the first new vehicle I have ever purchased. Decided I would go all out with the Limited/Hemi/Nav Package. Power is fantastic, seats are comfortable, ride is unbeatable and this thing is super quiet inside. I cant believe Im driving an SUV. Traded my 300M in on this and am very satisfied. Swore I would never buy another new vehicle due to depreciation but after falling in love with this truck I would not hesitate in buying another one! Highway mileage around 20-22 mpg, city mileage around 10-16 depending on how much I get into the throttle not bad for a 5000# truck.

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  Love it! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Robgal - March 1 - 9:38 pm

  I love my 2006 Dodge Charger SXT. I have owned it for almost a year. Love the power, the excellent handling and the looks it gets. This is my second time around with the Charger, I owned a 1986...had tons of problems with it. Go Dodge.

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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By TIM - March 1 - 1:08 pm

  I have been captivated by the new Charger since first seeing them as the new county sheriff vehicles, in November I fulfilled my dream and bought one. Great car to own and drive, especially with the Hemi. Everyone at work just drools.

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  Great Car - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By 07RT - March 1 - 11:58 am

  This is the best car I have owned, and I have owned a lot. Its great when you step on the gas pedal, and you feel the HEMI power. I have gotten a lot of compliments in the 1 month I have owned the car.

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  This truck rocks - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By sydbarrett1970 - February 28 - 12:35 am

  Ive had my 96 sport 2.5 4 cyl. for 4 years now, bought it when it had 103,000 miles on it, one previous owner, and let me you, this truck is seriously well built. Dodge apparantly used an engine that was unique to all the other Dakotas of the period, (at least for the 4 cyl model), a motor designed for Jeep, it was originally designed by a collaboration of engine makers, (Renault, Chrysler, and maybe a third party?) Anyway, anyone I have ever talked to says the same...this truck is really built to last. One person I spoke with said he sold his when it had 300,000 on it and it still ran strong. I absolutely love mine.

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  Talk about fun and RESPECT - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By big bobby g - February 27 - 11:33 am

  What a fantastic car this is. The most fun Ive ever had. It looks great, runs just as smooth as glass, the SXT high power has plenty of speed. The "auto- stick" shifter is a kick to use. The sound system is terrific and the ride comfort is excellent. I cant say enough about this auto. I took it to "donut derelicts" in Huntington Beach and the guys really loved the car. I could have sold 15 of them for cash money. Ill never sell it.