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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  Caravan - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hawk - December 19 - 6:00 pm

  We have had a 90 grand caravan for 8 years and liked it so much that we bought a new one, no complaints about either one. It is not a small car but gets good gas mileage for its size.

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  Great Fuel Mileage - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Perry Greene - December 18 - 4:37 pm

  The fuel mileage has been great. Im getting around 26.5, about any way I drive it. I usually carry weight in back (books). I do Vocational Sales. It really gets the looks and the students like it. Always getting great comments about appearance,or saying, "that thang got a Hemi?" I think my next will be a Hemi, just for the bragging rights. I really enjoy driving it. The 2.7 is getting great economy, but I drove a 3.5 and it has a lot of punch. I havent driven the Hemi. Ive owned several Chysler products over the years and can truly say, I believe each year they get better. Im sold on Chysler.

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  Cool Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By El VatoLoco - December 18 - 12:12 pm

  So far this car has been very fun to drive and the factory sound system is just awesome. The body styling is also the best styled Neon ive seen so far. The interior is well made as well and its also great on gas. And there is so many aftermarket parts for it as well which is a good thing for me.

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  Gotta go with the R/T - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Tony K - December 15 - 3:37 pm

  Ive had my Stratus R/T now for 6 months. Plenty of horsepower and still get 30 mpg on the highway. I got mine fully loaded w/ auto-stick, moonroof, leather, infinity sound, chrome wheels. I get a lot of nice car compliments. Dodge did a great job with this car.

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  Dream Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Brian Pahlm - December 14 - 12:13 pm

  Its not a 2 door so what? I ordered this car on June 28th and just got it on the 8th of Sept. The audio is great for stock, the sunroof is a great option, but for the money ($1600) the road and track option is the way to go. Up graded stearing, exhaust, suspension all for the right price. Its not orange or yellow so hopefully ill be able to avoid some tickets. With 350 horsepower for 33,175 msrp you cant go wrong. Light em up

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  Great Van - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Steven Griffey - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I love it, easy to drive, fun to ride in, lots of room.

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  The Bad Boy of All Cars - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DA MILE - December 14 - 1:40 am

  This car is the bomb. I love the way it drives. Everybody looks at me as I drive this baby down the street. Even my co-workers like it. They just cant stop talking about my Charger. To be honest, this is the dream car that I wanted, and I’ve got it now.

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  Excellent Exciting Truck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By D. m. - December 13 - 6:06 pm

  I love the 4wd option for heavy snow days and off the main road 2-tracks, as well as pulling trailers through muddy roads. With the 4.7 v8, we have plenty of power to pass on 2 lane highways and for towing my large tandem trailer. We have not had any bad mechanical surprises, only simple recalls for trivial stuff, nothing serious. My garden tractor fits in the box, if I take off the mower deck and stick it in by itself after putting the tractor in. So much to say and so little space. The ride is like a car and the view and trip computer contribute to the excellent driving experience.

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  I absolutely love this car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Darrell - December 11 - 6:26 am

  I got one of the first on the lot and fell in love with it at first sight. Great styling. Pick-up is great but Im no rabbit and the worst mileage Ive gotten is 28.1 with 32.2 on a recent long trip. Sure is nice to drive 7+ hours before I have to fill up with cruise control set on 73. Im over 60 and its easy to get in and out of. The interior is well laid out and very quiet. Love that can cooler and 6 CD changer for long drives. Fold down rear arm rest is the best yet for passengers. Trunk is humungous and makes it easy to stash lots of stuff. Also love the dual-level console with the sliding arm rest so I can put it where I need it. The adjustable lumbar support is great.

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  Dodge Caliber SE Steel blue cool ride - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By tupmeier - December 10 - 5:03 am

  I purchased my SE base model on July 4 and my wife cant get me out of that car. I drove a Mazda MPV before and looked for a family car thats great on gas and cheap on insurance and looks great. I purchased the car on the web without even test driving it. I just loved the look of it. Then when I got to the dealer to sign the papers, I test drove it. I only have to say one thing about it to everyone else. Go and get one yourself. This car is the best car I have ever driven. Only proplem I had is the check engine light turns on when I go to a pressure brush carwash ,so I changed the carwash to no touch and havent had a proplem since