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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  Would I do it again ? NO - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By fatuglyold - September 16 - 5:43 am

  I bought my Dodge Dakota, October 2000 for $22,000, from a Shelton dealership that was a pleasure to buy from. A crew cab with a V-8 , plenty of power for towing my twenty foot trailer. It was the perfect fit for my growing family of four. It ran great for the first couple of years. It needs a new fuel pump to replace a check valve. It has had two radiators, a new AC pump, new front brakes and needs a new rear end. Will I buy another Dodge ? NO

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  Reliable family SUV, bad bad. mpg! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By steveerai - September 14 - 9:05 am

  We have had this car for about a year and it has been good to us. The leather and suade interior is so nice! The 2nd and 3rd rows are very spacious. A few things we dont like is the mpg! We get about 12-15 city and 15-17 hwy. Not very economical at all. Also the lever to put down the 2nd row seats is too close to the plastics. I always scrape my nuckle as it is VERY hard to pull. Other then that its a nice family suv, thats if your last name is Gates or Trump. As the gas price will cost you a fortune! !!!

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  Going Back to Dodge - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By nitro_drummer - September 12 - 11:06 am

  This is the first Dodge Ive owned since having a Dodge Daytona Shelby Z back in 1992. After experiencing all the problems with that car, I said I wouldnt own another Dodge. Well, I bought my 2011 Nitro Heat 4.0 on Aug 31st and so far, Im very happy. I had been in the market for a 5 passenger SUV, and after growing tired of looking at all others with no real style or excitement, the Nitro, with its large grill and huge 20" chrome wheels hit me like a breath of fresh air. I have to thank my wife for helping me find a car that makes me smile again.

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  Teriffic Value - Perfect Family Vehicle - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By brekdown29 - September 10 - 1:08 am

  Unless you want a minivan this is the best alternative. The positive difference in build quality between the 2010 and 2011 models is stark. It has a powerful and smooth engine and a decent transmission. Ride is extremely smooth and quiet so obviously the suspension and build engineering was done right. It drives and feels like a more expensive car than it is. Keeping fingers crossed that we dont encounter any of the battery/starter issues but at least were informed. Thanks for the info.

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  2011 Dodge charger Rallye - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By davidnc - September 5 - 7:10 am

  I purchased the charger on aug 12,2011.First reaction was seemed a nice reliable car,the v6 offered enough hp(almost 300hp) for my needs .For my real muscle car I have a 95 stang with 460 in it . Had car 3 weeks I put 600 miles total, first week had to replace drivers door handle keyless entry issue Lador day weekend gages flashing offf and on couldnt start car nothing worked except for strobbing gages on an off which stopped after 10 minutes . My confidence in this car is now zero.Its at dealership.I havent even made my first payment Im glad I wasnt on road trip.Previous car wae 1995 jeep wrangler with 335,000 miles with no major issues too bad this car is already having them.

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  1999 Dodge Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By fcardenas88 - September 2 - 9:11 pm

  My mom bought this car new out of the lot back in 1999. She passed on to me with 100,000K when I graduated from high school. Car ran great but gas millage was horrible. The only thing I did not like about this car is that when you would drive it it was very heavy to drive and not smooth. It now has 192,000K and it still has the original tranmission and engine. Ive taken this car to Canada, Mexico and North Carolina and it did great and til this day it still runs great and looks good new too.

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  Cant take a JOURNEY - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By lucky007 - August 8 - 1:02 pm

  Well it seems that I have joined an elite group. I bought a 2011 LUX in April and have only seen it for about 3 weeks. It sure likes the dealers lot more than my garage. I have 2300 miles on it and most of which has been put on by the dealership. They test drive it alot and take it home for the week-end to see if they can get it to duplicate the problems. The battery goes dead for no appearent reason. The engineers cant figure it out. Dodge at first said that there were no appearent problems, then I showed them all the issues that you all have posted. It was sure an eye opener to them!!!!!Today I got a phone call for them telling me that I have to talk to Chyrsler.

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  Leaves me stranded with two kids - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By shellwagg - August 7 - 12:36 pm

  I bought my Journey in March 2009. I had no problems for about a year but I did not put many miles on it that first year. Then I had the brake problems like everyone else. Here is my big problem. Sometimes my car just wont start. I had the battery replaced and all was well for about a month. Now it has started up again. I got stuck at the mall last night. Also, we have had a leak in our raditor hose. My car almost over heated not too long ago. We used that stuff the clogs the hose and it has held so far. Anyone have any problems like this?

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  not as bad as expected - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By moncton - August 6 - 9:31 am

  bought this car last winter for $2,000/135,000km. Spent some on new front rotors & pads, new plugs, flush coolant. after 6 months, replace brake lines (ouch) 1,000. checked mpg today 24 mpg imperial, mixed hwy & city. 9.7L/100km. not too bad, burns a little oil, nice ride, smooth.

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  Will miss you RIP 186510 miles!!!!! thank you - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By kjroadrunner68 - July 30 - 1:47 pm

  Bought my first car 2000. Sad day today 7-30-11 just drove it to the junk yard to be crushed ending miles 186,510. I cannot complain about it to much. No major problems with anything only issue was A/C went about 5 years ago and driver side window seemed like it was always coming out of track. I would totally buy another one if they were still made. She was a good car and was a blast to drive in the New York winters!!!! Got $400 better then trading it in. Thank you for your loyal service. R.I.P.