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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  Its OK, Lots of power - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By FMH - May 27 - 8:15 pm

  I got the 4.7L v8 new and i have owned the vehicle for 60,000 miles. I get 16.9 mpg. The biggest and only issue i had with this truck was the oem front braking system that only lasted a few thousand miles. Lets just say after the nightmare of having to deal with there service dpt. I finally had enough and just spent the money and replaced all the front braking system. Suspension could also use some work.

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  muscle with attitude - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By john webb - May 27 - 8:53 am

  If you want a car that can blow by a mustang on the highway with ease. If you want a angry muscle car to put those lame import owners with there silly racing pipes to shame. Get this car! The only problem is the my cars blood lust to destroy every car in its path. haahaahaa

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  Awesome SUV - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Akazm - May 26 - 9:39 pm

  I recently purchased a Dodge Nitro and so far I love it. Its MPG isnt great but it is a SUV, what do you expect? The look is awesome, great interior space, so many features, smooth and quiet ride, fun to drive. It can comfortably seat big men. The interior material is perfectly fine. For the price, it is worth every penny in my opinion.

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  My first Dodge/Hemi - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By dodgenewbie - May 26 - 3:23 pm

  Nothing like getting behind the wheel of a true American Muscle Car to put a smile on your face. I love driving this car. Makes the adrenalin flow.

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  Charger SXT Perfect Blend of Everything! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By noneya bisnez - May 26 - 11:57 am

  After looking for a car months, I finally came home with the Charger SXT. That first night all I could do was look out the window at it gleaming. The car is heavy, and the drive is smooth. Acceleration with the 3.5L is more than enough to get "into trouble" with and conservative enough to return excellent fuel economy. The car looks beautiful and ferocious, and almost everyday someone stops me to tell me so. Older people think it is a Mustang for some reason... Bottom Line is this car is amazing. Its the perfect blend of all things. If your a dad looking for a car to take the family in, but also want morph into Kasey Kane when no one is looking... This is the car for you!

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  It just wont die! - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Tim K. - May 26 - 1:02 am

  I bought this in 2000 with just over 100K on it. Only external flaws were light hail damage and faded paint where a cell phone antenna used to be. Eventually, the faded spot spread from the elements, but no lower body rust at all. Living in Minnesota with the ice and salt on roads in winter, its held up well. Ive put mostly short trips on it, and it always starts and runs, except once. Battery was old and died. Only had that replaced, one water pump and one starter in 9 years. Tires of course. For having been over 100K when I bought it, 9 years of driving and only put that much into it is great! Idle is rough sometimes now, so may need to have it looked at, but cant complain.

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  Great Vehicle - Great Mileage - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By bluemoon - May 25 - 10:35 pm

  I get 29 to 31 mpg on the highway with my RT, with a 35 and 6 speed trans. Power when you need it.

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  owned intrepids 5 years - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Ray K - May 25 - 8:11 pm

  This is my 2nd intrepid, my son has the 1st one ,an 03 SE 2.7L engine with 100K miles. The 03 has had only 2 repairs totaling $450 (air cond line & ignition key swithc) besides brakes (which lasted a long time). Because of 03 reliability, I bought an 04 with low mileage. Have had 5 months with no problems. 2.7L engines do require frequent oil changes. I used Mobil 1 and the engine is whisper quiet with 100K miles (no other oil would produce these results). The new one is a 3.5L but I still use Mobil 1. These are great road cars but are hard to park & backup due to poor visibility. I obviously like them & will buy another one, even when they are 10 years old.

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  dodge stratus es - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By Reazonz - May 25 - 2:06 pm

  Bought it in 1997 ive only had to replance the radiator, water pump and radiator hose everything else is still great I just hit 140,000 miles and im still goin strong I get the oil changed every 3,500 miles the a/c compresser just wen out this summer and its lookin at about $300 to fix I never really used it often so I wont get it fixed until I need to.

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  Lovin It! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By BearsFanInKansas - May 25 - 1:03 pm

  Bought the smaller engine to drive this car to work every day. Would not change a thing about that purchase decision. Others I have spoken with who purchased the larger engines are parking theirs at home rather than enjoying this great new throw-back design from Dodge. Sure, you get to rev the big engines at the light, but that will only happen when it comes out of the garage. I will take the look over muscle on this new Challenger!