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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  Powerful - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By steve sherwood - February 10 - 2:44 pm

  Far and away the most powerful vehicle Ive ever owned. Fantastic in snow. Only downside is the drivers seat, it needs to be softer. Other than that its a great auto!

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  My "TRO" - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Ida - February 9 - 10:50 pm

  I purchased the SLT 4x2, Black, oh what an eye catcher! The first week I took it to work I was in the parking lot during lunch every day, because my co- workers wanted to see it in and out. I even get people asking me to take them for a test ride in my SUV! It handles beautifully and my husband was so impressed on the handling of my Nitro he bought his two weeks later. I get between 22 and 27 miles per gallon (highway miles) city 19 miles per gallon). I have 4 grandchildren and I can ride all of them with comfort (no fighting). They love it! I am so glad I held out on purchasing a vehicle before the Nitro.

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  Fast and furious. Way too much power - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By vinny - February 8 - 2:47 am

  When I first got the vehicle I though about how much I would be paying at the pump but when I got the feel for the car it amazed me how much power it had under the hood. The car really moves it has a lot of power and once you start pressing the pedal it ask for more speed. You’re saying to yourself that’s enough, but no, the hemi engine won’t stop revving until you press the brake. It has so much power it should be illegal to drive. The g-force just rocks your head to the back of your seat. Hold on tight to the steering wheel because the hemi will take over. But you will visit the pump soon.

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  Love it - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By jride - February 7 - 8:40 pm

  This car drive very well, the engine is very powerful while using as little gas as possible, i do not find this car very bad on gas usage, but very great, and it tends to take a week or so depending on whether or not I am heading out across the state or if I am going across town, its very reliable, yes it will need more gas to get across the state.

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  Love it - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By nitro rider - February 7 - 2:16 pm

  I bought this vehicle for my wife, however I have a hard time passing it on to my vehicle. I think if this was around when I bought my vehicle I would have bought it instead. My wife loves it also. I know we will be traveling in her vehicle more now. By the way we exchanged a Lincoln Navigator for it, and it rides better than the Navigator. It gives my Mercedes a run for the money.

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  Great truck, buy the extra warranty - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike Jewett - February 6 - 10:40 pm

  Everything about the truck, performance-wise, is top-notch. Power, handling, towing, cargo capacity, etc. MPG is 12-15, but its a truck, not a Camry. Easier to park than a full-size, but hauls just as much. 4x4 works great, even if the ground clearance is minimal. The only things to consider before buying are cost issues, namely gas and maintenance. It weighs 4500LBS, so youll replace brake pads every 25K. Fill up the tank every 200 -250mi. Also, find a nice 5-star dealer. Ive seen a lot of reviews knocking Dodge dealers, and, just like any business, some will be good, some will be lame. Also, its really worth it to roll an 85K warranty into your finance plan.

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  5 yr love affair with Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Wayne - February 5 - 9:08 am

  This was our second Durango. We enjoy fishing and in 96, finally bought a boat. Did a lot of research on SUV tow packages. It paid off. The 5.9 w/tow package is great. You have to remind yourself that a boat is in back of you! Were able to stay cool and tow without a worry. Looked forward to lousy back roads at remote fish camps. The 4WD is there when YOU WANT IT. Plus "the little things". Rear accessory plug. Use it for tailgate party or light up a boat ramp at night. Cup holders for American size drinks! Great tunes. Cool rims. Runs on reg gas. Seat warmers. Just the right size to give it a quick wash yourself. Just plain comfortable.

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  Great Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Wheelecw - February 4 - 1:50 am

  If youre getting the R/T go with the road and track package also. It is worth twice what it costs. The interior is amazing, tires give a much better look and the handling is absolutely amazing for a 4,000 lb car. The trunk is huge, the car is huge. It has more space than you could ever need. The power is great and the mileage is amazing for a 350 HP beast. Ill warn everyone right now. One test drive and you will buy one, no questions asked. It has more ride, performance, and comfort that anyone could ask for at its price. It has such a smooth ride that at 70 MPH it feels like your doing 20 MPH.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Happy Hoosier - February 4 - 12:33 am

  Overall this car is great. Great looks, great power and great fun to drive. I have had numerous people approach me at the gas station to look at the car. While some purists may not like the fact that it is a 4-door sedan, I can say that without that feature I would not have been able to justify buying it. This configuration is much more practical and I think it does not detract from the muscle car image of the car. It is nice to have the good looks comfort, and power in a 4-door car.

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  I love my Neon! - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By ambee3 - February 3 - 11:01 pm

  I bought my Neon a year ago. So far Ive had no problems with it, just new tires. I bought it when I wrecked my Intrepid and I needed a car in a fix. I bought my Neon for $4,500 with 27,000 miles on it. Ive never cared much for Neons because I used to work at an auto parts store and people that had them would always complain about them. But it was a good deal when I needed one. A year later, Im glad that I bought this car.