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:

• 

  Excellent buy - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By dwalk - March 8 - 2:33 pm

  When I first saw the Avenger, I must admit I wasnt too much impressed. Went to test drive one and got the car the same day. For a 4cylinder it has great take off and the ride is very smooth. If you want a Charger, but dont want the price and gas mileage, get the Avenger. The car dosent burn hardly any gas, you can ride in style for days.

• 

  Have owned two Dynastys. - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By LDM - March 8 - 11:49 am

  My first, a 91 Dynasty with 3.3L engine, caused me no problems at all for the three year I had it except that the belt would squeak. Hit a deer with 210,000 miles and totaled it. Second one, a 93 Dynasty, however has had a few problems. Like mentioned before, in cold weather the doors dont want to close. I had to remove the stiff grease from inside the door mechanisms and replace it with a graphite lubricate to fix. It also has the 3.3L engine and the belt squeaks on it too. Have tried 3 different belts. Fuel economy not what it should be. The 91 got about 25mpg, the 93 about 16mpg. Same engine .. still trying to figure it out.

• 

  The Van for my plan - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By Kaldar72 - March 8 - 10:51 am

  I love this van! I have a 1997 version of this faithful van and found this one to be much better. Mine is the quitest car I have ever owned! It is as quite as my Mercedes so I know what Im talking about. Great car for road trips.

• 

  Tested and Proven - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Alex - March 8 - 9:56 am

  I bought my Durango new and have owned it for over 6 years now. I had to do nothing more than routine maintenance since ownership. This vehicle is very sound and dependable. I have over 69,000 miles on it and just replaced the tires for the first time and only because a road hazzard trashed one of my tires beyond repair. I had enough tread left for at least another 10,000 miles. I wish I got better than the 15 mpg but it is a heavy suv. The interior has held up well along with the exterior paint. I plan to keep it for another 5 years and hope it takes as good care of me as it already has.

• 

  Fountain of Youth - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By LivingLarge - March 7 - 9:14 pm

  Dropped off my 300C for end of lease to trade in for another, and saw this beauty and fell in love. Employee pricing + 0% financing sealed the deal. Even the wife gave me an okay and my father in law gave thumbs up. Not middle age crisis, but middle age celebration. Full Disclosure: Never had a muscle car as a youth, only two stock 1980s Camaros, so this is filling a void for me - psychoanalyze that. Teenage son and friends are drooling, and middle aged guys come up to me at the laundry, gas station, parking lot, whatever, asking about it, and it is embarrasing since one wants to be humble. But in the end, its an Ego booster. Chryslers final mark and legacy if they dont make it.

• 

  2009 R/T w/6spd. - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By ziapiper - March 7 - 8:59 pm

  it still garners a lot of attention when i take it out for a spin. it feels a little underpowered for a 4000 lb. car. my biggest concern is the problem i have sometimes shifting from 1st to second. it goes into fourth, and when i try to go into second, it prevents me and i end up shifting into third. but it puts the fun back into driving.

• 

  103K and no issues - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By stan - March 7 - 8:00 pm

  Gas, tires, oil, brakes and 1 tie rod end. Not sure I even needed the tie rod. My only expenses after 7 years and 103,000 miles.

• 

  Best Exotic Performance - 2009 Dodge Viper
  By coolbreezesd - March 7 - 6:37 pm

  My new 2009 Viper just arrived. Ive owned a 2006 before. To acquire my 2009 Viper Convertible, I trade in my 2008 SL 55 AMG. Why? The AMG was too luxurious to be a true sports car and not powerful enough to be a true sports car. The Viper doesnt try to be something for everyone and is just sheer power with its 600 HP V-10. I love the classic lines of the car. Has had zero problems with my 2006 and so far, have had none with my 2009. By one while you still can.

• 

  DONT BUY ONE! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By joe - March 7 - 4:23 pm

  I bought this truck new in 2000. I had to put a new engine in at 80,000 miles and just put in a new transmission at 102,000. Now its leaking fluid...probably the radiator needs repair. Water pump also just went out... expensive, but solid truck feel. Im selling it to buy a toyota or lexus... or honda... or... anything but a DODGE!

• 

  I Absolutely Love This Car! - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By dwyl - March 7 - 12:35 pm

  I really love this car! Bought it with only 34,000 miles on it. Handles great and gets 30 mpg on long trips. Have 180,000 miles on it now and it still runs great. Does use a bit of oil between 6,000 mile oil changes. Not enough to have to add any. (use Castrol 5/50 synthetic oil) No issues with the engine or transmission. Have had to replace the water pump twice. Smooth, comfortable ride. The window gaskets are falling off and the paint on the plastic panel behind the back doors has faded. According to records before I owned it, the steering pump was replaced twice, and the steering gear was replaced but Ive had no problems. I would definitely buy another one in a heartbeat!