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:

• 

  Hands-down: This truck is a winner ! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By bigdaddy61 - November 18 - 9:23 am

  I bought this truck new and the love affair Ive had with it hasnt dimmed since. I wanted something that could haul a car trailer & my 67 Fury, as well as maneuver well in the snowy N.Eastern PA mountains in winter. This truck has surpassed every expectation I had. While the mpg. arent great, it wasnt a factor since I commute by rail 5 days a week. When I travel to the mountains with my 150# dog, luggage, and 3 other people - this truck still gets it done. Comfortably. With 150K on the clock, Ive only replaced a fuel pump. I love this truck so much, i cant bear to trade it in. Ive promised it to my mechanic, who admires it as much as I do. Say what you want about Dodge, I LOVE mine.

• 

  A Good car ... - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By cmeel - October 25 - 12:06 pm

  I love the look of the car from the outside but on the inside its a disappointment manual locks & windows and it is just cheap! I love Dodge and we bought this car after our 1st one died and wasnt worth repairing and we needed a car asap (not enough time to really shop)this was the only hatchback and it looked good so we took it.Driving its good,nothing Great or Horrible. If you have young kids stay away from this car!! the front passenger seat has to be straight up and pulled forward a lot in order to fit the carseat which is just plain uncomfortable. It needs some interior & engine improvments to really be good/nice other wise its just an ok car.

• 

  Surprised at Reliability Two Years Later - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By safedrivertoo - October 22 - 9:21 pm

  I bought my 07 Caliber two years ago, and it had 36,900 miles on it. It was a rental and the warranty expired at that point. Ive never had a warranty on it, and I have put 60,000 miles on it, so its up to about 97,000 miles, and I havent put more than a fuel pump (which strangely went at 50,000 miles after a fuel system flush--Im still skeptical about that although everyone says it couldnt be connected). That repair was $500ish. I am preventative and get everything flushed and checked regularly, and I havent needed any major repairs done. I might have put $1,500 in repairs since Ive owned it--tops. I always figure if I get 110,000 or 120,000 miles out of a car it did its job.

• 

  love it , hate it - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By pookylopez1 - October 22 - 6:47 pm

  Honestly have had it , i have a love and hate relationship with this car, i love the look and love how it drives, BUT only when this car is not giving problems! its costing me so much money, sometimes doesnt reverse, the gears sometimes dont work, they tell me its 2 sensors, i pay over 1000.... its fixed... for 4 weeks until it decides to do it again.. .wont go over 35.... getting fixed again. wow, and the service engine soon light wont go away, and of course my registration is due in 3 days, and it wont pass the smog check. in conclusion i wish that i never got this car.

• 

  great minivan - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By dghost1 - October 18 - 11:27 am

  I bought it a year ago with 155k miles , have not made any repairs but regular maintance oil changes,. I put in a KN air intake and it gives me 22 plus MPG. I really like it, runs great cant even feel the motor running. Great family vehicle, plan on trading it for a newer model. I was really suprise a dodge could deliver a great review.

• 

  It Is What It Is - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By notimeatall - October 17 - 11:12 am

  Recently bought a base model 08 Avenger with ABS for my kids to drive. Theyve already totaled one vehicle so I was looking for something safe and inexpensive. While I would never have bought the Avenger new, this car has worked out very well for us. Key points for us were: Safety - IIHS Top Safety pick. Check out the side impact videos on IIHSs site. Cost - We bought this vehicle for $7000 less than a comparable mileage 08 Honda Accord would have cost. I dont expect it to last like a Honda, but we only expect 6K miles per year, and the $7000 will buy a lot of nuisance repairs! I would not, however, have considered the $20K for new one - they DO depreciate FAST

• 

  Me and my Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By jwdugar - October 17 - 12:56 am

  It was love at 1st sight. If a station wagon & the bat mobile had a child it would be the Dodge Magnum. Here I am 6 years & 100k miles later and all I love is marred because the car is made w/rubber and plastic screws. I never neglected maintenance and upkeep. Now the dash vents have come "unattached" to the dash, the toggle for the navigation controls has untoggled and to fix it I have to replace the entire radio system. The front carpet detaches, the rear vent blows sometimes, the undercarriage screws, being plastic have worn out and the under carriage "plate," also made of plastic has split at the screw holes and has to be replaced. Not a good long term vehicle.

• 

  Fair mechanically, bad cosmetically - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By lykeh17 - September 29 - 8:03 pm

  I have owned mine since new. I read the other review of the black paint, and I have the same problem. The top coat of paint just flakes off over time and makes your car look like it has dry skin. I have givin up washing it. Very disappointing. And also the dash is cracked in 4 places along the defrost vent. I have replaced the exhaust manifold because of cracks also. The car performs well and kicks but when you mash on the pedal. It gets reasonable mileage for a 4 banger. Even at 141000 miles. If Dodge would have put their own drive train in this car it would have been like the Vega. Mitzu makes a good engine. Also, if your 6 2" or more, this car is too small for you.

• 

  5 Year Review - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By joegiant - September 28 - 9:21 am

  Have had "Bonnie" now for 5 years. #1 thing about the van - value. Bought new and Chysler was giving these away at the time so I thought Id take one since we needed the "family vehicle" for kids sports etc. etc. As noted on Edmunds reliability rating, our SXT 3.3L did in fact have the water pump go at 45k. The rack and pinion steering was replaced within the first year of ownership. Aside from regular maintenance, thats about it. Currently 71k on the odometer. Will admit, for a lower hped V6, not real good on gas. 21mpg all around Im guessing, lil better on the hwy but nowhere near the sticker 26 mpg. Very comfortable ride IMHO. American made (Fenton, MO) which is hard to find today.

• 

  My first car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By mmg16 - September 21 - 12:17 am

  This was the first car I ever had, and I must say I loved it. I got it when it was just over 100,000 miles and I had it until 118,000. It would be still running today, but a drunk driver hit it and it was totaled. It was a great, reliable car. But it is important to keep up with oil changes and services. The interior is very comfortable and can easily fit five people-six uncomfortably. The trunk is huge, which was a great plus. This body style looks a lot nicer than the old one, all in all I think this is a great car.