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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  Best of the Best - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Dean - January 27 - 4:30 am

  This is the best SUV Ive ever had the pleasure of Driving! It rides as smooth as any luxury car. Has HEMI power and 4x4. Traction control with ESP and 4 wheel ABS will take this Car anywhere. I took it into a snow storm last year. 18" in 12 hrs. No chains. I could plow right on through where I saw Explorers, Suburbans, 4 Runners spining their wheels. I even pulled out a Suburban 4x4 who had chains on and was stuck up to his axles in snow. I pulled up behind him in the same depth of snow. Stuck it in reverse. And with a little Hemi power, out he came. He was amazed! And ready to trade in his Chevy. The Ford owners also watched in amazement. I love this car!

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  Mommys Car - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Mary-Anne - January 26 - 9:44 pm

  I have owned this car for 9 months now. I ordered in January of last year wanting the best hot rod that I could get for my money. What a dream! It goes like stink, looks like nothing else on the road and feels like a Mercedes inside. All of my other cars have been Chryslers except for one foray into the Jetta Wagon TDI. This car tops everything combining the rush of our 600+HP Valiant race car with the luxury of our 73 New Yorker Brougham It handles whether its on ice or gravel, and keeps me comfortable at all times. Once in a blue moon, I even let my husband drive it. I thought of trading it on the SRT8 until I realized that then Id have to put it away for the winter. Not a chance!

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  AZ now you see me, now you dont - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By AZSlappy - January 26 - 8:23 pm

  I love this car !!!! It has enough room for me, I cant belive it .. I am a BIG guy 295lbs..I just traded in my F150 Lariot Supercrew ( which I loved ) for this amazing ride. I love everything about it..My only complaint is that it seems to shift hard from 2nd gear to 3rd...maybe its normal. I can ttell you. But by far the best for the money !!!!

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  This Durango really surprises me! - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Tim in NY - January 26 - 5:18 pm

  All I can say is Wow! What a smooth, plush vehicle with an unbelievable amount of features. The Hemi is just awesome and moves the vehicle effortlessly. The 2nd and 3rd row seats are actually comfortable and easily accessible, and the DVD with the wireless headsets is a blessing for the kids as well as the parents! The Durango Limited has to be one of the best kept secrets in this segment. Im guessing the mediocre gas mileage is what kills the resale value.

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  Great Car - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Matt - January 26 - 12:57 am

  Since I have owned my 1990 Dodge Daytona she has been very reliable,fun and turns heads everywhere I drive.You have to really appreciate American made cars especially the Chrysler Corporation.

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  My Mag RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By John Comon - January 25 - 12:30 pm

  I have had my Magnum Rt for 6 months now and find it is as much fun to drive as the day I bought it. With the engine management system, its gets very good mileage for the engine size. Ive had many compiments about it from strangers and havent found one person that didnt think it is one bad dude!!! It has so many great options I wont even list them here. I had it on a long trip and find it is one of the easiest cars to drive at highway speed. Daimler-Chrysler has hit the mother lode!! I recommend this vehicle highly and believe me, this isnt your dads wagon LOL!!

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  Happy owner - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lovecoty - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Being in my early thirties and mother of twins I was not keen on purchasing a minivan, even though the need was there. When I went to the dealership, I could not believe the look, reliability and comfort of the 2004 Minivan that the purchase was made. Today Im glad I did and the so do the kids. With the drop down dvd and 6disc changer they love their time in the car and so does mom.

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  All the bells & whistles! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Marci - January 24 - 4:17 pm

  Went from Expedition to Durango and love it! The price was great considering I maxed out the options! Its surprisingly quiet (kids are quiet too with wireless headphones), parks easily (size fits well & steers great), awesome power (gets up and goes when you pass someone), soooo many extras. Gas mileage is not the best but I didnt expect that it would be... actually got better after first 1000 miles! I find that I use the navigations system much more than I ever thought that I would. DVD system is easy to use for my young children and they love that they can listen to their own music. One free year of Sirius Radio a nice add-on. Felt very safe driving in snow & ice on recent trip.

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  Great fun for $20,000 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By youngsrt4 - January 24 - 1:17 am

  This car is way too much fun. Get on the pedal and this baby will fly. I love that they added a limited slip ATB differential as it gives this powerhouse hardly any noticeable torque steer. Just point and hold on. I am also very pleased with the fuel economy for a car with this much performance. I have averaged about 26 mpg with it (getting 29 at least 4 times) even with the winter weather. This car also has far more performance that anything even close to its price range. Even my friend who is a foreign car lover (he drives nothing but Toyotas) loves it. He told me its like riding in a car from the Fast and the Furious. If I can get someone like that to love it, anyone can.

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  2nd review for this car - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Case Anarchy - January 23 - 2:24 am

  Ive had the car for over 2 years now and put on almost 50000 miles. Only had to do maintaince repairs, brake pads, tire, no major components replacements. Oil must absolutly be changed after 3000 miles. Car is now five years old but still not showing any rust and the engine and transmission still work just like when I bought it. The drivers door lock switch stopped working but everything else is still in good shape. The car has averaged 30 mile per gallon in the time ive had it. Handles good on winter roads too.