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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  So far, a lot of fun - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Aaron - August 17 - 12:31 pm

  Bought the 2009 R/T R package (Road and Track) - I think it is well worth the extra money - improved handling and the top line seats - only drawback they are (or at least at the time I bought) very hard to find. So far the car is great to drive - very comfortable on road trips - I can drive all day long. I also bought the upgraded sound system (Boston), best sounding factory installed system I have ever had. I live in Wisconsin, drove once in the snow earlier this year and I am planning on driving year round - from what I have experienced car should handle as good as any non 4X4 - just have to drive with common sense! Dodge rebates plus lifetime warranty backed by the govt sealed the deal

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  GREAT VEHICLE - 1995 Dodge Caravan
  By markandcathy - August 16 - 11:42 pm

  Bought this 1995 red Dodge Caravan (JUST LIKE THE PICTURE ON THIS PAGE)in 1996 from another person. Its been a great vehicle. Just the usual things, a rebuilt transmission, water pump, oil changes and tires. It now has 182,000 miles. The paint job still looks like new and the interior still looks good too. I love the way it sits up high and you can see out of it. Great van!

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  R/T 5.7 HEMI (BLK) - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Tony - August 16 - 8:23 pm

  Very nice! Drives great! Definitely turns heads. My opinion the black is the best looking of them all.

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  FAST - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By dodgeman - August 16 - 2:14 am

  Bought this car site unseen on the recommendation of Mopar God Rick Ehrenberg. Huge leap of faith that paid off BIG TIME. Never regretted anything. Except maybe the upgrade to Goodyear Asymmetric tires, because the car is now twice as fast in corners and the fun factor is diminished. Need to drive at extremely dangerous speeds for same thrill. Car will accept full throttle upshifts without problems. Wonderful warranty. Minor turbo problem resulted in complete assembly replacement. Worn syncros, likely due to excessive driver exuberance and fatigue, resulted in warranty rebuild. Total cost of this service? $100! No better warranty possible! CV joints remain in good condition despite abuse.

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  DODGE INTERID BEST CAR ON EARTH - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By DODGES ARE COOL - August 16 - 12:55 am

  My car runs and drives great I got it in 1999 the only thing that was changed on the car is the spark plugs and oil since I got it I neve had any mechanical problems on this car at all I change the tires on it as well thats it I drive it every day it drives like new still nobody makes a car like this it sure is comfortable and I feel safe in this car I like the size of this car and it gets good gas mileage for a big engine sure beats hybrids and this car is very sporty for the size of it I take it the coast every summer and I never get tired of driving it even on long trips I hear tat everybody hates this car I dont know why because its very reliable and fast bring back the intrepid Dodge

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  Big Hauler - 2000 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Trinoculus - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I needed a big tough hauler. This van is that. Not refined, comfortable, quiet, easy to get into, economic, but for some reason it feels good TOWERING over everthing else except semis. Its 5.9L engine pulls this monster with seeming ease while hauling HEAVY loads, the towing package will pull trains. I had the standard setup and it does fine. If you need to get a lot of weight from here to there and dont care a lot about comfort or those irritating build/fit & finish things, check this van out.

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  Never Again Will I Buy A Dodge Product - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By C Paul - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Worst car, and worst service, ever encountered.

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  LOVE MY CALIBER! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By toby - August 15 - 2:16 am

  Great pickup! Kicks butt! When I need the power, he provides flawlessly! Shifts seamlessly! Put custom wheels on him, added nitrogen to his Michelin tires...he rides like a dream! Even my husband with his bad back rides comfortably. Wont trade my Caliber until hes worn out. Gas mileage is good. Lots of room inside.

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  second guess - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By wendy - August 14 - 10:42 pm

  I thought this would have been the car for me after all the problems with the stratus. Boy! first thing brakes @ 15 mnths. 2nd, Stuck in park, 3rd battery died, computer had to be reset after vehicle was lazy in going. Car squeaks a lot. But, I love how it just go when the need arise.

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  Never again. - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By suckycar - August 14 - 10:37 pm

  Nitro drives ok, but traction control comes on at random times, including dry conditions on flat roads at city speeds. At 36000 miles, just out of warranty, I had to replace the water pump and thermostat. Was still over heating so I took it to Clear Lake Dodge and they replaced the radiator free of charge. Drivers inside door handle broke about 100 miles ago. I have no idea why. MP3 input does not work properly. All lights and gauges will fail to operate from time to time. Must have a short some where. For having 50K miles, I think this is too many problems.