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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  Running Strong - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By EcW - April 15 - 6:07 pm

  I bought my Durango over 4 years ago with 40,000 miles on it and now I have 120,000 miles on it. Even with all of that driving it is still running strong. I have had absolutely nothing wrong with the engine during that time. I live on a farm and have driven this vehicle through some harsh conditions and it has never failed me. It has been by far the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. My only gripe is the ABS. When they engage they dont feel that great but actually work fairly well. The Durango looks big but handles like a smaller vehicle. Can be parallel parked into fairly tight spaces. This is a very versatile vehicle!

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  A Lifetime Warranty Te-2,500 mile report - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By TCB09RT - April 15 - 1:19 pm

  So far my r/t has been trouble free, nothing but fun, and I havent gotten any tickets-yet ) the contitracs are not holding up so well. I had to have tires rotated at 2000 miles, and dont expect them to last the summer (even though the primordial urge to do long Smokey burn-outs has diminished somewhat) at 2500 miles the evic informed me of an oil change. The dealer did the oil change for free per the agreement. They also informed me that my vin required fix rrt 09-019 no start/hard start/long crank. I havent experienced the issue, but am glad for the lifetime powertrain warranty and that I bought the maxcare lifetime warranty. My 2 yr old daughter loves the car she says, "black car! Zoom!"

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  WELL WELL WELL - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By MILLA - April 14 - 4:55 pm

  Well I have had my Dodge for about 5 yrs now. Bought it with 120k on it now it has 185k. Was ok I guess. I replaced the tranny computer 2 yrs ago and done someother stuff. As in my strut broke blah... I am giving the beast up tho very soon. Its on it last leg. I have to give it some credit. I drove it hard and didnt treat it very Nice. It lasted for the money. Ive been reading some of these reviews. I havent had my handles break but I have the oxidation all over. Super annoying... And the turning radius is worse then a semi truck. But other then that it was a good car for lil old me. Now on to bigger and better things. Sad to see it go : (

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  2nd Look - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By jill mcqueary - April 14 - 3:16 pm

  I have researched several SUVs for months and finally decided on the Nitro. I am so happy that I did. l have only had my Nitro 6 weeks, but so far have no complaints. I love the interior design, but the exterior design is what is catching onlooker attention. The handling has been impressive.

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  Love it! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Liz - April 14 - 2:06 pm

  I bought it as a Valentine gift for my husband. He loves it. Everybody in town stop and ask about the car.

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  My Charger saved my families life. - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By Charmira - April 14 - 4:07 am

  I was an owner of a 2006 dodge charger and loved it. In the course of owning my car I was involved in three serious accidents where 3 individuals hit me. I not only walked away from each accident but my charger kept going. The very last accident which was the 4th one involved my 18 year old son and his 3 friends. They where rammed on the passengers side by a drunk driver. The car was completely mangled and totaled but my son and his 3 friends walked away uninjured. When I got the insurance money the only logical choice was another charger. I was also pleasantly surprised at what my 2006 charger appraised at. My 2015 charger is beautiful it gets a lot of attention, its fast its all those things its supposed to be. Honestly, I could care less about the aesthetics and speed. What I do care about is that car saved us many times. When my son was hit by the drunk driver the responding officer was surprised no one was injured. Im just grateful that we still have American companies that still care about americans and their safety. I am a charger fan for life.

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  First impressions - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Dodger - April 13 - 5:09 pm

  Just bought my 04 from the orig owner with less than 22K miles on it. 4.7 V- 8, 5 speed auto, optioned out with most everything except for some reason, no power seat. Its a quad cab 2WD with 3.55 antislip rear axle. Ive only put about 500 miles on it so far, but can say that Im impressed with the ride, the engine, everything. Getting 19.5 mpg in mixed city/freeway driving (30/70), and this little 4.7 will flat get out and fly if you want it to. Of course, my reported gas mileage is obtained by using that power sparingly. Exhaust has a resonance right at 1700 rpm (60 mph in 5th) that I dont like you can sense it in other gears as well as you pass through that rpm.

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  Good car, but expect major problems - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Mike Stone - April 13 - 3:28 pm

  I bought a brand new 2002 Dodge Durango SXT. I loved the car, I owned it for close to 8 years and just recently sold it. I pampered that car, kept the car well maintained but I still had major mechanical issues fairly early. At 66K miles the transmission went out. The Primary Control Module died a year later. The fan clutch went out 3 different times, had to replace the radiator, upper and lower radiator hose and at 180K the torque converter went out, which means the transmission was soon on its way out. I definitely did not want to waist more money into repairs so I let it go. I probably will not ever own another Chrsyler made vehicle for the rest of my life. The quality just stinks.

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  Good all around truck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By avyator - April 13 - 10:14 am

  I bought the truck new and have had a blast with it. It has the Stampede package which caught my eye on the dealer parking lot. Bought it for fuel economy over my 79 Warlock and it has delivered promised fuel economy, 18 mpg for the daily 7 mile commute and 22 mpg on my annual trip to FL. The Stampede package really enhances the handling and styling. I tow two motorcycles regularly from state to state and the drive train is solid. Have 61,000 miles and have only had to do routine maintenance. Battery did quit suddenly at 5 years but thats about what you get from factory batteries. Wish I had gotten the extended cab but the styling didnt go with the Stampede package. Love this truck!!!

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  Youve got to drive it - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By fast is to slow... - April 13 - 9:50 am

  During the test drive, I was somewhat skeptical. But after 20 minutes on the road, I realized this is a really nice car. Maybe not as quick as some, but the looks are super. The vehicle handles extremely well. The mileage is good as long as you dont get heavy on the gas pedal. The interior is a little stark but functional. I must admit for the money the vehicle is road worthy and I am happy with my choice.