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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  Green with Envy - 2011 Dodge Challenger
  By toyotacurrenla - October 12 - 8:00 pm

  Still practically new. Car gets a lot of attention specially with the green color. The 6.4L has a lot of power and sits you back in the seat any time you want to. Love the car its comfortable, powerful, and large enough for my family to enjoy.

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  Love this SUV. - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By kgates75 - October 11 - 3:10 pm

  I love this truck. It has been dependable since I purchased it in 2007. It was a 2005 with 23K. I have driven this from WI - TN x2 and WI- FL x2. No issues other then it spits fuel back out when you fill it. Minor repair issues. I even hit a deer did minimal damage. I feel very safe in this truck.

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  My new 2013 Dart - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By jclark2012 - October 11 - 10:38 am

  I purchased my new Dodge Dart about a month ago. This car is so much fun to drive !! Its sporty but yet has a lot of interior room. The interior is very user friendly . I love the looks of the exterior of the car also. Runs great and gets exceptional gas mileage. I am getting around 42 miles a gallon!! Excellent buy , I love this car !!!!!!

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  What a car! - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By burdman660 - September 28 - 11:08 am

  Ive only had the car a week but Im so impressed. For the money, you cant beat it. Its sexy inside and out. I love driving it. The 1.4 L turbo is awesome. I have the dual clutch auto and it makes the drive really fun. Get the uconnect 8.4" display. Its really intuitive and makes the car fun and comfortable. The ride and handling is great, the gas mileage and power is great. My only regret is not having the power seats with lumbar adjustment. Other than that, its amazing. LED tail lamps, projector head lamps, upscale interior, 17" rims, awesome power and milage... buy the car, It will shatter your perception of compacts. This is a daily driver that makes the ride exciting.

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  The best car that you are over looking... - 2012 Dodge Charger
  By themightyinf - September 22 - 11:29 pm

  First things first... I have never owned anything other than V8s. I kinda feel than anything less is... unamerican. So, for my first big family four door, I had two real choices. Ford Taurus or Dodge Charger R/T...and they dont make V8 Taurus(siii?) So Dodge is was the winner. The vehicle is very well appointed, great sound system (Beats By Dre), and its not too shabby on the eyes. I wish I could read the minds on the BMW and Merc owners that pull up next to me... Not the typical look and feel of the Dodge of 10 years ago, or even two years ago for that matter. I dont have enough characters remaining to list the standard items on this car... Just Great!!!

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  Best car - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By lovekieshab - September 22 - 11:10 pm

  Love this car....the best car I have owned and I have owned BMW & Mercedes Benz. I love the gas mileage only fill up the gas tank every 2 weeks and $40 at the most. Great interior and amazing features. Perfect exterior love the back lights.

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  Great little Dodge - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By superuser1 - September 19 - 10:04 pm

  I absolutely love my Avenger R/T AWD I have had no problems at all and have put around 11000 miles in about a year (now 62000 miles) This car is fun to drive and gets alot of compliments.

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  2013 Dodge Dart Ralleye 1.4l Turbo Auto Trans - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By dleininger - September 17 - 12:55 pm

  It was painful for me, but I had to trade in my 2011 Dodge Charger R/T AWD for something with better mpgs and a lower monthly payment. I knew the Darts just came out, and I liked the idea of staying with a Dodge. After some research online I knew I had to have the Ralleye trim. The exterior looks on the Ralleye trim are what sets it apart from the limited. I opted for the $1300 1.4l turbo motor and another $1100 for the auto transmission. Im glad I did because this turbo is FUN to drive! Obviously my Charger had more power, but this Dart is a fun and stylish alternative to a Honda Civic, or Toyota Corolla, etc. The seats are nice and bolstered too, which I really like, very sporty.

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  DODGE DURANGO 2012 - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By dmcc81 - September 14 - 1:16 pm

  I just rescently purchased a dodge durango 2012 about a month ago, being my 5th new vehicule from dodge, chrysler and jeep products since the last 15 years. Ive always loved dodge products but this new durango really surpasses all my expectations. From performance, comfort, cargo space, looks, its a beauty. Only a month and I love this truck more and more, only remains to try it in the snow. Great fuel economy versus the power it has and gives. So far, two thumbs up for a well built truck and hoping for many many more to come.

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  Love this SUV! - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By headshrink - September 13 - 1:56 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for 10 months now and I am still loving it. It handles like a car, can take on the light offroading that I enjoy, can haul the entire car pool to school and looks great. What else can you aske for? Well, better gas mileage would be about it. Build quality has been outstanding thus far, much better than I had anticipated for a Chrysler product. Friends of mine who have bought the Jeep Grand Cherokee are wishing they had the durango because it is about the same suv but with mor cargo/seating.