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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  Very disappointed - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ted - February 18 - 6:36 am

  Lots of problems with this Van right out of the gate. We were having transmission problems that none of the dealerships believed were real. Until about 300 miles before the warranty was up. Then they had to replace the gears in the transmission and a bunch of other stuff. Then little problems. The grab handle on the passenger side became loose, the map lights stopped working, the driver door speakers are blown. This is the second and last Dodge / Chrysler product I will ever buy. I dont care how cheap they sell them for. I guess you get what you pay for.

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  Decided to buy American - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Mark Gonzalez - February 17 - 9:27 pm

  I owned a Toyota Corolla for the past 7 years and decided to buy American. Thought Id go with a mini Charger muscle car and purchased the Avenger R/T. Goes like stink but the payoff is frequent stops at the pump. 6 speed auto stick should have been better engineered with a 5 speed. The interior comfort could be better as well as the quality and construction of materials, read cheap. Lots of great features though. Awesome sound system, creature comforts galore, powerful engine and lots of compliments from casual observers. Chrysler has something here, if they would just finish it off with a better interior grade of materials. Fun to drive. Id give it an 8.

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  best minivan yet - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By eddie bands - February 17 - 2:46 pm

  THE SXT IS EXACTLY THE VEHICLE WE NEEDED WITH 2 SMALL KIDS IT HAS ROOM AND MORE AND THE STORAGE UNDER THE FLOOR KEEPS THE CAR CLEAN. THE 3.8 HAS GREAT PICKUP AND IT HANDLES NICELY.

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  Great Mid Sized SUV - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By GDC55 - February 17 - 1:47 pm

  After I test drove one my wife & I were hooked. Gas mileage overall. average 22 mpg and highway 25, pretty good for a 4,000 lb. + vehicle. Drove a Ford Escape & Exolorer, didnt like the Escape and the Explorer was $10,000 more.

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  43 going on 19 - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Bill - February 17 - 4:09 am

  I have found the fountain of youth and its parked in my driveway. My kids are 8 & 11 and they are already fighting over who will get this car when they can drive! Im kinda thinking they will need to get there own! My daughter said I am not cool enough to drive this car. Maybe not, but I look good and feel good every time I get behind the wheel! I havent felt this way about a car in a very long time! I dont know were Detroit has been the past 25 years but they finally got something right!

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  A large car with class - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By renderedconsequences - February 16 - 11:16 am

  I bought my car last spring with 86,000 miles, since then have put 9,000 miles on it. All Ive replaced is a power steering hose and the headlights. A great face lift for oxidized, old lenses. It hugs the corners, and feels great driving, comfortable. Handles great and has enough power to pass at anytime yet not so much thats easy to get into trouble all the time - though manageable. The only complaint I could possibly think of is how the air intake disconnects from the engine, this making the engine heat rise, but easily fixed by coupling it back. I do love this car and it looks terrific, though 13 years old it still has a near perfect paint job and has had no body work.

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  So far so good - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Gord - February 16 - 9:50 am

  I purchased my 09 Charger SXT almost 3 months ago. To date, I have enjoyed the car and the solid feel you get in handling and performance. It is a real head turner, but I have a feeling people mistake it for a police ghost car at times, and slow down when approaching me on the highway, so funny. The car is a delight to drive and the 3.5L has more than enough power for my needs.I have driven Mopars for the past 20 years and the Charger is the best so far. I would recommend this car highly.

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  Hard to let go when the time comes - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By huntin buddies - February 16 - 9:41 am

  This has been my favorite truck since the day I bought it. No 4wd, and it still kicks every day. The only thing I have had to replace on this truck for a major repair is the radiator. I love the kick in first gear. With a 3.9 Magnum V6, you just dont get any better. I have pulled people out, including my dad, and brought home my first deer with it. It gets us through thick and thin, and has saved our family a couple of times. Shes a tough old bird, and part of the family. Wouldnt want it any other way.

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  Tie Rod, Engine light, lighting bolt - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jud - February 16 - 6:54 am

  Well it is a nice car to drive but has spent a lot of time with issues. for example three times the Bluetooth had to be fixed still not working, tires have to be replaced every year, engine light on continually even after it has been fixed the light shines again within a couple of days, lighting bolt light that tells you to heat the car up when the temp outside is below a certain degree comes on in the middle of the summer when it is 25 celcius outside and if you do not let it warm up the car will not run properly (near got in an accident a few times the engine cuts out- no power) we have had this looked at but it continues to be an issue now the tie rod ends are gone again. We got a bad one.

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  Amazing - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By GreenPowerMan - February 15 - 9:49 am

  Chrysler did this one right! Gut wrenching acceleration, comfort, conveyance, looks, style, value and uniqueness! All BMWs, Porches and Mercedes look basically the same. None have the pizazz of the Challenger. Hand stitched leather and a painted orange engine block to name a few. Its also usable I drive it to work everyday, moved my daughter to college (the back seats fold down opening into the truck) and go out to dinner. After that, I leave 99% of cars in the dust in a cloud of white smoke. Its like Clark Kent turning into Superman!