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:

• 

  do NOT buy this car. - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By drhr - April 7 - 3:24 pm

  This car was horrible from day one. A week after I brought it home the check engine light came on, and it would only start when it wanted to. I went to get it fixed, and it stopped doing it and ran perfectly fine for a year and a half. Then the battery died, the breaks went out, and the transmission started going out. Currently the car is in my driveway, unused because the transmission locked up the engine and the drive trane is disconnected from the drivers side. I will NEVER buy another dodge again. Its been terrible from day one.

• 

  Weird Transmission Downshift - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By Tom - April 7 - 11:27 am

  I bought this van new for my family needs. I have 27,000 miles on it now and have had no problems so far. The only complaint I have is the transmission downshifting from 2nd gear to 1st gear. It has a very hard downshift that is very noticable. If feels like Im doing damage by driving it with this condition. I started noticing it around 800 miles and thought maybe it was just breaking itself in. I took it to the dealer and they said that they could find nothing wrong with it. I personally think that they dont want to acknowledge the problem. Other than the transmission, I really like the van.

• 

  Good car, but disappointed - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jimmy - April 7 - 12:20 am

  Fun car to drive. Interior a little too kit car for me. Cheap plastic, but hey for $30k with the power worth it. My real big problem is that Dodge and parent company have the worst paint going. I have the metallic black and doesnt take much to scratch unlike my wifes new Mustang.

• 

  Recommended car! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By cfdp - April 6 - 8:54 pm

  No major repairs required since Ive owned it. Purchased w/ about 43K miles. This car has served me an awesome time, again and again. The most problems I have had, had been with the front end (bearings, breaks, turn signals...), but maybe b/c mine is a rebuilt title? All fixed and drives so smooth! Cruises nice around 70mph. Manual trans. is the only way to go! Very fun, especially to watch people look at your car take off scratching their heads???

• 

  Money Pit - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Dodge sucks - April 6 - 5:00 pm

  I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone ... I bought it with the intention of keeping it for 10 years, therefore I serviced it accordingly at an authorized Dodge service shop. Without warning or indication the trans went out at 65k miles and again at 130k miles. I cant believe it cause I never tow anything, go off- road, or skip services. All in all it was a pile of crap from the get go - I called Dodge today to let em know I’m unhappy - and since it is out of warranty - I have to pay for the repairs on my own. Lesson learned - Dodge is a big no no in my future. Sorry guys I really did give you an opportunity to help me out - perhaps you can rip another poor sucker off and stay in busines

• 

  Funnnn - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By srt forlife - April 6 - 1:50 pm

  I have had this car for a year n bought it used but have had little issues with it mostly wear and tear. love the power and the look you get when u drive by someone lol. the gas milage isnt bad for what performance it puts out

• 

  Best choice I have ever made - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Jessica - April 6 - 11:50 am

  Well I go to college that is 2 hours away from home and my old car didnt seem to be making it. So I decided to purchase a new car. The Dodge Caliber caught my eye and wouldnt leave me alone. Everywhere I looked i saw an ad and I wanted it more. So finally after my first year of college I decided to go get it. I fell in love with it on the spot. The base model is prefect for a college student like me. Also I am 5 9 and I wanted a car that wouldnt feel squished in. Perfect choice. Lovin it.

• 

  Dont Do It - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By RI Jeff - April 5 - 7:40 pm

  Bought a 2008 Caliber with only 18k miles on it for $10000 figured I couldnt beat it. Boy was I wrong, within 4 months it was in the dealership five times, the computer would not hold the PCM/TCM update had it done 3 times. They had to replace both front struts, lower left control arm, the multifunction switch, airbag clock sensor. The transmission has been making a noise for a while, but they will not look at it because they do not have much experience with the CVT. My rear struts started making noises. The whole car feels and sounds like it is going to fall apart with only 24k Miles on it. Will never buy another Dodge EVER. Gas mileage was about 24 combined MPG, not as good as I thought

• 

  A good first car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Shin - April 5 - 4:53 pm

  This is my first car Ive had this for almost 5 years now Im at 108k miles, Ive only had some minor issues. My car rough idles every once in a while and makes noises on the driver side front tire when I turn right, Ive had it checked out and everyone has told me that theres nothing wrong, they only found a leaky freeze plug that sits in the back engine, however had my dad look at it and told me that its old residue, nothing to worry about. I have a leaky valve cover issue as well, I love the interior design, the only problem inside is the bar between the door and windshield, it creates a major blindspot, also I get poor gas mileage, between 20-25mpg...overall a good starter car.

• 

  WOW!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By gallowhl - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I was in love the moment I laid eyes on my black Magnum. I wasnt even aware that it existed. My husband and I were looking for a 2nd option to the new Mazda when we say the front end of this amazing vehicle. We studied the lines of the body, the options, the gas mileage, the interior (what we could see. The lot was closed at the time). Within 10 minutes of leaving the lot we both agreed that we had just changed our minds. We bought it the next day. SOFT is the word I would use to describe the way it rides and handles. It the most different looking vehicle Ive seen. It also seems to have a personality to it. Its perfect for me and anyone who appreciates