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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  Had problems - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By hwoquinn - August 14 - 12:33 am

  All four power windows went out before 36,000 miles. Luckily covered under warranty but one has gone out again since warranty expired. At 56,000 miles had to replace intake gasket. Mechanic said he had seen several Dodge products with the problem. At 74,000 miles speedometer stopped working between 0-60mph. Love the looks and the room. Am not satisfied with quality and reliability.

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  big time - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By snakebite - August 13 - 8:20 pm

  this is the best truck you can buy!!!! i have 33 in super swampers on mine and it will climb thing up side down (figuritavily speeking)!! Im so happy i got my dodge; now im no affraid to drive in the rain, sleet, smow, wind, or hail. i have no worries! I have used my truck for every thing from pulling out a couple F-350s and some Chevys here and there. but i also go offroading (mostly mud bogging and rockclimbing)and hunting with it. it has never been suck and it had been to the doors in mud (3 feet about)all i need now is some air lockers for the rock climbing!! and there comeing!

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  Nice - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Rocked - August 13 - 2:02 pm

  Great Car. Bought new in 05 and have had no problems. Outstanding performance with 340 HP and 390 tourque. Car still gets attention and favorable comments. Most surprising is gas mileage with MDS. Average MPG for life of vehicle is 20+.

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  Not Bad - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By CV - August 13 - 1:05 pm

  Overall this car provides good value. We picked on up used for $12k about a year ago. We havent had any problems so far. We love the gas mileage although I tend to accelerate fast and burn more gas that way. Car has a great look from the outside. The interior color scheme is Nice, but the dash and plastics look cheap. Overall, I think its a good buy based on price.

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  Better Than I Expected!!!! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By daddyblue - August 13 - 11:43 am

  I bought my 95 Neon in Dec. of 2008, Since then, except for routine tune- ups, I havent had one problem out of the car that I bought for 300.00. I have been to out of state 17 times in the past 6 months on business, the car has helped me make almost a quarter million dollars, and she is still ticking. So now im going to return the favor a let someone buy the car for 300 dollars.

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  Great Tough Looking SUV but Pump Costly - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By CTBoyd - August 12 - 8:05 pm

  Bought this Durango last month with 34,850 miles and couldnt wait to drive it off the lot. The reviews are pretty much spot on with regards to the driving comfort, exterior styling and poor interior materials. I havent had any problems with the vehicle and driving this silver Durango Adventurer SLT made me feel like a million bucks. Unfortunately, I will be selling this vehicle in the next month or so because I dont have that million bucks to keep feeding it gas. You can actually watch the 27 gallon tank, gas gauge move while driving. I knew the gas mileage was bad when I bought it, but didnt expect it to be 11 to 12 mpgs. It will be sad to see it drive away when I sell it.

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  Wonderful SUV - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Lance - August 12 - 6:01 pm

  I have had my R/T for 10 years and it has 210,000 miles. Other than a new trans at 165,000, we have conducted normal required maintenance. Its been undercoated twice and has zero rust. We love this truck and it will never be part of the C.A.R.S (clunker) program. Let gas be $7 per gal, we will continue to drive it.

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  Its fun!!!!!!!!!!! - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By twisty - August 12 - 5:44 pm

  This is my second Caliber...I have 8,950 on the clock and it is running great..It does need a little gas of the lights but once it gets going its great.feels solid.no bodyroll in the corners.The driving view is good.except the large front pillars..you need to really check.they are quite intrusive..and do obstruct the view.i found adjusting the height in my seat to be better.The interior seems better than my 2007 model.everything is within easy reach no annoying digital readouts.easy to drive.the gearbox is good.bit slow at start but flies on motorway.good power for overtaking and the car seems solid whilst making quick maneuvers..all in all the Caliber is fun to drive.no problems

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  Vehicle just purchased - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By lmartz - August 12 - 1:43 pm

  I had to give up my Suburban for a more economical vehicle and plus a lower monthly payment. Caliber was not my first choice but my only choice cuz the dealership were out of vehicles due to the clunkers for cash. I have been driving this vehicle for a few days and it is not no bad it does have room for our two kids and a nice family vehicle.

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  29/36 mpg? yeah right! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Johnnym909 - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I drive me neon sxt to and from work, all highway. At night when there is no traffic I set the cfruise control at 70, and the best gas mileage I ever got was 31 mpg! I cant believe dodge claims 36 on the highway; not even possible. Other than that, this car has been good to me, except that the trade-in value after a year already puts me $4,000 in the hole on my loan.