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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  Fun & quality - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Greg L. - June 21 - 9:53 pm

  This is a very large car that handles like a sports car. Corners flat, breaks straight, very comfortable ride and considering the too small engine, it has good acceleration. It does NOT like to pull a trailer, but if youre reasonable its okay with that too. The drivers seat is far too narrow, Im a big guy and have to find just the right spot to get comfortable. Some people dont like the sparten interior, but I like the design. However, a little less of a plastic look would be nice. The exterior design is outstanding and there are lots of storage pockets and nooks and crannies. The standard tires are just adequate, but in Canada you really do need snow tires for winter safety.

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  2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By SIMO86 - June 20 - 7:25 pm

  After looking at the 2010 Prius, 2009 Honda Fit, Ive decided on the Caliber based on its superior exterior design, economical valve (cheapest of the three), safety features and roominess. Each of these categories, I found the Caliber had the advantage. Although the other two cars beat out my sexy Dodge in fuel economy, it would take years before the fuel economy to be an advantage since this car is $4000 cheaper than the Fit and $8000 cheaper than the Prius. I love the fact that I can fit my family of four comfortably. The ride is smooth.

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  One of the best cars I have ever owned - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By revan - June 20 - 7:08 pm

  Very attractive, Powerful ,Secure,Reliable and fun to drive. plenty of room for drivers over six foot,nice layout of interior plenty of everything you need excellent in all aspects.

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  Lots of problems - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Audrey - June 20 - 3:14 am

  Bought it new in 2013. Has a brake recall and its been months, still no parts. Dash keeps flashing saying service airbag system, passenger seatbelt unbuckled(and they are!) Blower motor went out. Senors going out. Love the style but now I wish I had bought a different vehicle. Oh and when I drive on a rough driveway/road the whole car rattles

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Clackerhead - June 19 - 5:05 pm

  Bought this car in 2002 and figured to get 100-150K mileage at best. Still driving with over 205k. Have a solenoid pack switch to replace, but other than that, best car I have ever owned. I still brag that I have a Dodge with over 200K and no serious problems (I am shooting for 300k now). Chrysler, bring back the Intrepid!!!!

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  NEED TO DUMP MY DODGE! - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By netraluv96 - June 19 - 4:04 pm

  I have not liked this van since the purchase and I am now in great need to get rid of it. I have replaced the brakes once and they are in need of repair in only a year and a half of wear. I have replaced the spark plugs and now the car is doing this weird thing when you turn the AC on the engine starts stuttering and at times will cut off. The seat belts do not fit my kids car seats and I do not feel that they have a top notch car for safety to travel in. The body is not very sturdy. I do not recommend this van to anyone.

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  So far so good - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By phil - June 18 - 2:56 pm

  It drives really well, even though we took it in because the transmission cant always make up its mind what gear to be in on a slight upgrade. So far major disappointment with the gas mileage,only getting about 25 MPG on the highway not the 35 MPG its supposed to get. We asked about it at the dealership and were told the vehicle isnt broken in until its got 15,000 kilometers, which seems like an awful long time to brake in an engine. We got the journey because of its (rated) good gas mileage, so we are keeping our fingers crossed hoping it will improve in the next few months. After reading some of the other reviews we consider ourselves lucky.

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  good car for the money - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By jeremy - June 17 - 7:33 am

  got the car with 90,0000 but a timeing belt in at 120,0000 and but a water pump at 245,000 and the car now has 260,000 and is still running strong with the origanal moter and tranny car is fun to drive and good on gas

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  Love my B5 Challenger! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By djpatrick35 - June 16 - 12:11 pm

  Over the years, Ive owned three Corvettes and while I loved those cars, nothing compares to the Challenger. As a 20-something driving an 07 Corvette, most of the attention I was getting was negative whereas the Challenger gets nothing but positive attention. The car is plenty fast for its size and the interior is large and comfortable. At 66" few cars can fit me, but the Challenger is very comfortable and I can actually fit three people with me - something I couldnt say with a Camaro or Mustang. The shifts are a little long and the skip-shift, while annoying, is something Im already used to with my Corvettes Tremec 6-Speed. Overall, I love the look, the character, and speed of my SRT.

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  I love my Avenger - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By smitgerty - June 15 - 2:35 pm

  Ive owned my 2008 avenger for 9 months now and I have not had a problem with her. In fact, the avenger is such a looker, Ive actually had several strangers stop and compliment the car. How fun is that?