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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  From Mercedes to a Dodge - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Vengance - June 11 - 9:47 pm

  I have owned a dozen Mercedes,and still have 2. The one I drove most is a 4.5L V8 SL. I went on a new car shopping weekend, determined for another Mercedes. Some how ended up liking the looks of the Avenger. Took a test drive, actually 3, at 3 different dealers. Fell in LOVE. I dont know if others who wrote reviews bought earlier in the year, but mine was made a month before I bought it. Performance is phenominal! I found my self speeding,ALOT. Coming from a V8 I am impressed. It is a 4cylinder mind you and only 2.4L. Mine has the VVT engine, could be the difference. Interior and trunk space HUGE. Edmunds is wrong on "MY" Avenger. Electronics and kid friendliness AWESOME!Sports car/mini van

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  Classy little fun car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By day - June 11 - 8:56 pm

  I have had this car for a week and its great! It has the feel of a mini SUV but drives very smoothly. Good gas mileage and creates quite a lot of attention. Very fun car.

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  The Little Car That Could - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Hyper - June 11 - 12:58 pm

  Bought this car used in 2002 after it had been a rental. During the next seven years and 70,000 miles, I replaced oil, a battery, and the relay for the radiator fan. I had a trailer hitch on this car and pulled a U-Haul trailer back and forth across the country several times. In the end, the car was rear-ended by a large GMC pickup that was too high up to hit the bumper, but even then the trunk crumpled like it was supposed to, saving me from injury. My Neon was totaled in this accident just last week, but this was and will probably remain my favorite of the dozen cars Ive owned in my 42 years.

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  There are no other cars in this class. - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By AaronG - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The engine is fantastic. There is a bit of turbo lag, When it kicks in, look out. Handling is superb. Somewhat small turning radius. Smooth clutch. 5th gear is mainly an OD gear, going 80mph youre hanging around 2800rpm. Racing seats take some getting used to. Slightly cheap interior. Since there are only going to be 2500 of these a year, plan on not paying MSRP. At the dealership they were asking 25,500. Autonation.com: 18,756. Loads of fun for a very small price. Also Dodge has in the works Stage 1-3 upgrades which dont violate the warranty.

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  Good car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Todd - June 11 - 12:45 am

  I love my Avenger. 4 cylinder isnt going to grab much attention but moves car with the rest of traffic. Engine design is joint venture with hyundai and mitsubishi, seems to be very reliable. Ride is qiuet and comfortble. 300 mile road trip first weekend family of 4 fit perfectly. Rear armrest with cup holder was big hit. Yes fabric is comfortable and cleans up well. I love the exterior design and sirius radio is very nice for traveling. Fold down split rear seats come in handy on a weekly basis. Car gets all around fuel economy 28 mpg mixed hwy cty driving. 30 mpg is easy all hwy.

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  204000 miles before retirement - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By tc - June 10 - 11:50 pm

  I loved this car and hated to junk it. However, I got my money out of this car. I brought it brand new with 7 mile on it. I had to buy to 2 rebulit transmissions $1900 each time. I got an oil change every 4-5 weeks because I drove 750 miles a week. I had to replace the brakes quit often and the seal around the doors would not stay on. The car was a good car but the transmissions where the only major problems that I had with the intrepid. I wish Dodge would make better transmissions. I will always LOVE the car and the 204000 miles speaks volume. R.I.P Trepy 10/18/1999-06/05/2008

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  very good van - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Buddy5960 - June 10 - 3:59 pm

  I bought this van used and i have had very minimal trouble with it.Very good van.

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  Great SRT8 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By ABest - June 10 - 1:13 pm

  This is the first car that I have really enjoyed. The drivability is great and the performance is out of this work for a 5 seater. I have three kids under the age of 4 and this allows for me to enjoy my car while still being able to transport the entire family.

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  Fun Car With Glitches - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By moparfool - June 10 - 12:10 pm

  Generally a great car. I have always really liked the late 1960s Dodge B body (Charger) and E body (Challenger) cars. The new Challenger distills the old E body car design without the noise, handling, body flex, and 10 mile per gallon issues of the older muscle cars. The acceleration and handling are great, IMO. I picked the 5.7 liter R/T as the best compromise on engine power, cost, and gas mileage. There have been two glitches at 3500 miles the airbag light came on for a few seconds while cruising. And at 4000 miles the alternator / battery light came on and stayed on until I shut the engine off and restarted. The dealer checked all wiring and found nothing.

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  Great while it last! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Dwillams - June 10 - 11:17 am

  I purchased 2002 stratus with only 86k back in 2007 great car wood grain inside keyless entry, didnt have it for a year they car broke down needed head cover gasket, timing belt, water pump, oil pan needed be replaced, took it to the dealership paid almost 2gs to repair didnt have anymore issues. check engine light has been on past two year keep saying gas cap replaced it 3times never went off, come to find out it was the emissions hoses. I was few month paying it off, but to much was going on with it I traded it in for a 2007 chrysler sebring needed a upgrade! but i got my fun out of that stratus its a good car just dont dog it out!!