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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  Not for the long of back! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Nick1011 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I went and tried to sit in one of these today, and noticed a not-so-nice feature. They have the rear a/c ducts in the cieling, so if you are long in the torso, you probably wont fit! Other than that, I would have bought one today.

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  Stick Shifty - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Velonni - February 20 - 9:53 am

  Bought a 2008 SXT manual trans with traction control/ABS, after years of being Honda customer. Last Honda (95) 245,000 mi. with original clutch! This new car with 13,000 mi. lost third gear! I am short and love seat height but the car feels more cramped than little Civic coupe. The fit and finish is sub par but lots of nooks and crannies. The car is slow, noisy and doggy for a manual trans. Love the sound system but controls are confusing, especially on steering wheel. Astounded at the depreciation after 9 months: nearly half of the value lost.

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  Love My Car - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Silver RT - February 20 - 12:40 am

  I just got my Challenger RT 4 days ago and I cant think of anything I woul dlike to drive more. The performance on the RT if great. 6 speed manual gives you the ability to drive like it was ment to be driven. I still havent turned on the radio because I love listening to the car rumble as I drive.

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  Fun Little Commuter Car - 2016 Dodge Dart
  By Matthew Brettschneider - February 19 - 9:23 pm

  We purchased this car to basically drive into the ground. Time will tell how reliable the car ends up. Equipped with the sunsound group, the large touchscreen is pretty intuitive. the 2.4 and manual six speed is a fun combination and made it pretty easy for the lady to learn how to work a clutch. we picked it up with 23 miles and within the first week had 1500 on it. It is reaching MPGs comfortably in the 30s while I drive the crap out of it. (is there any other way to drive these little cars?)

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  Very disappointed - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By angel - February 19 - 11:43 am

  Purchase car August 28 2008. Motor went out December 24, 2008. Also the power window motor went out 3 days buying the car. After going to about 3 auto repairs shops trying to get a rebuilt motor or use motor I was told not to waste any more money on this car because it is no worth it. After talking to previous and past owner of this car mostly the same review, that it is a worthless piece that Dodge could have put out on the market

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  Great Truck! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Don - February 19 - 10:37 am

  I have now owned this truck for over 3 years now and I must say its the best pickup I have ever owned. I especially love the sound system- infinity speakers and 6 CD changer. It sounds better than my home system in fact. The car rides like a dream and the exterior chrome looks great. I got the Laramie edition. In snow, it makes driving to work fun and I love the heated leather seats when it is cold. The only complaint I have with this truck is the gas mileage, but all the other trucks get about the same, so you have to expect that when you have a pickup. All in all, great job from Dodge. Dakota rocks!

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  Not bad for a 16 year run - 1993 Dodge Caravan
  By Alex - February 19 - 8:46 am

  Generally, this car has been a trooper. I got her from my parents in December of 2001, they bought her almost brand new as a program car in 1993. She took us on several 200+ mile trips to visit family, a pretty lengthy journey to Disneyworld, an even lengthier trip to Kentucky - and this was all mostly during her first 60,000. After that point, as Ive heard was common with this particular model, the transmission gave out and we had to have a new one dropped in. Since owning it, Ive had to have a new compressor installed, and shes having trouble with oil consumption and struts. But for her age, the fact shes still running is quite impressive.

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  Wifes car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By TomK - February 18 - 4:59 pm

  Just keeps running with very few problems. The only bad problem we had was the disc brake rotors. Had to finally replace them with good ones! Other than that, it is a very dependable vehicle!

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  Ive driven better - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By whatsuppp23 - February 18 - 10:06 am

  For my 17th birthday I got a 2006 Stratus and I can not wait to trade it in. Its slow and the inside is boring. My mom got a 08 VW Passat and it has a V6 and it flies. My Stratus has nothing, no heated seats, no GPS, no sunroof. I would recommend getting a different car if youre looking at this one.

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  New technology fun drive - 2009 Dodge Durango
  By old mariner - February 18 - 9:51 am

  This was a trade up from the old style Durango for me. The ride is much smoother and it has a lot more room. Driving the hybrid takes a little getting used to but that seems to be some of the fun driving experience.