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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  ego killer - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By celsius - May 18 - 10:00 am

  If you want to totally embarrass mustangs, firebirds, zs, wrxs, souped-up wet-fart civics, and hang or surpass vehicles that cost $15,000 more, this is the vehicle for you. The only problem (read: fun) I have is staying out of trouble with the police. The fastest production vehicle for under 21 grand.

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  Great Value - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Ced - May 18 - 7:20 am

  Great ride and handling for a large truck , I got the 4.7 not HEMI. Lots of room for your stuff. Love the stereo sound and DVD player.

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  A little scared - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Alexandria Harris - May 18 - 2:50 am

  Im a little scared about the traction during bad weather. I had stopped at a red light, and it was raining, when I started go forward after the light had change the wheels on the car started to spin. Now that I have this car I feel that the safety rate on this car, should be re-rated again. Its scary to be behind another car at a car length behind and all of a sudden the car in front of you make a sudden stop. I think that this car should be a re- call.

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  Yep its got a Hemi - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By SEMORE - May 18 - 2:42 am

  Test drove the Challenger and had to own it. Its a head turner for sure. The Hemi-Orange is a real standout and gets attention. Acceleration is impressive be it gradual on surface streets after upshift, or stomping it on the freeway entrance. Slower than the old 426, but does get up and run. Excellent handling a joy to drive. Moderate pavement noise. Hope it doesnt get worse. This not a young persons car. First time in my life a vette picked a fight, they NEVER do that. I didnt even try, I knew better, and street racing is bad news period. This car is all about the look, feel, and pride of owning one. Glad Chrysler brought it back. Now if they would just retro the Charger....

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  Engine - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By herve - May 17 - 11:39 pm

  Station Wagon on steroid, fun to drive with enough power on Hwy and city. Very good AWD. But.... I had to bring the vehicle twice to Dodge for engine failure. First time one of my valve broke, second time, the engine stall, the warning light stays on and ... still waiting for teh results. Not a reliable car

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  Been a Good Truck - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Craig - May 17 - 2:53 pm

  Bought my Durango new and have put 118,000 miles on it. I tow a bass boat, drive across dove fields, take trips and drove it to work. One constant problem is the front rotors are good for 16 months and 21,000 miles. Then they have to be replaced. Looking for a rotor solution. The truck otherwise has performed well. My wife and I enjoy driving it on a trip as the ride is comfortable, solid, quiet and I can pass anybody any time. I dont get those who complain about the gas mileage ? All Fords, Chevys etc get 14 mpg or less. I get 14 mpg in town and 21 mpg on the road. I plan to drive it till the wheels fall off

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  Great value, lots of fun - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By canderson - May 16 - 11:26 pm

  Exciting styling and no dissapointment while behind the wheel. Best value out there in its class. Quality at par with any foreign car at a much lower price. There is still hope for the American car industry.

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  I bought another one - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DodgeFan - May 15 - 3:33 pm

  This thing has been great. At 114k miles there are some minor leaks, and this was 99% fixed with new head gaskets. The van is fun to drive if you can say that about a minivan. It is totally reliable, very comfortable. It has enough room for 6 adults with a little storage in back and no one feels the slightes bit cramped. It even hauls my light pop up tent trailer/camper without a problem. I bought another since this one has been so good.

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  Its been a great ride! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By BushMom - May 15 - 2:23 am

  After 6 years of mostly city driving, my van has not missed a beat. It still looks great, runs well, and Ive had very few minor issues with it. I had 1 in 1998, which ended up the victim of a powerful rear-end collision in 2001. Because of the way the Grand Caravan took the impact, I went and bought another one in 2001. I will certainly buy again.

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  WINDOW LEAKS - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By worldbfr - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This van gets driven, I have ove 50000 miles and only 2 years old. Passenger sliding door window has water leaking in. Dealer does not want to do an out of warranty repair. It is only 2 years old.