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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  Comfortable and reliable - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Connie - January 27 - 1:44 am

  This is the second Durango I have owned and I would definitely buy another. I recently just had the first mechanical problem Ive had with either. The power steering got metal shavings in it which broke the pump and had to be replaced. Because I purchased an extended warranty that covered the pump it cost me $300. I have had many cars and this is by far the most comfortable. The stereo is nice, the heated and power seats are great, and there is plenty of room for my entire family. The powerful engine is nice too, but I wish it got better gas mileage. Its not much worse then the 04 Pilot I owned, however.

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  great mileage for a car this fast - 2017 Dodge Challenger
  By hank herbst - January 26 - 2:26 pm

  Rented this car for a trip to Vegas. V6 basic car. First impressions were very touchy brakes but you get used to it. Power for passing on 2 lanes very good. Handling very good even on worn stock tires. Gas mileage was way better than I expected. Whole tank netted 35+ mpg at legal and above speeds on 2 lane roads thru desert over 2 mountain passes and thru one town rush hour. Just as a test from state line to downtown Vegas, pulled to slow lane on I-15, set cruise to 70, and netted 45 mpg for 40 miles. For other reviews about this car complaining about mileage, drive sensibly, anticipate slow downs and red lights and dont buy low profile, wide wheels and tires. Other comments are rather cheap looking instrument panel. Readouts on computer lettering could be larger. Only power cord outlet in console cubby. Makes for a long power cord stretch for my Garmin in left corner windshield. My recommendation for a daily driver and long trips, buy a base V6, upgrade to nicer seats with more power adjustments and go for a back-up camera.

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  Fun 2 drive - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By megrow67 - January 26 - 1:39 pm

  Great gas mileage. Comfortable, 4x2 drives great in snow better than I thought. Easy to wash. Easy to get into. Have a lot of options for the price. Get up and go to be 4 clyinder

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  I Love This Car! - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Al Stewart - January 26 - 1:52 am

  I have a 2008 Avenger SE with the VVT 4 cylinder and it is a fun car. Yeah the more expensive foreign cars and the luxurious Ford Fusion have more for the buck in some areas but let someone who drives one be the critic. This car’s engine and transmission is assisted by electronic computer main board like most new cars in this case the computer adjusts the engine and trans to your driving habits. I drive my Avenger on the Washington D.C. beltway where you have to get up and go. Well some folks have asked me if I had the six cylinders under the hood, my car is fun to drive, sporty, and the safest thing on the road

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  Best overall mid-sized truck. - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By Nice Truck - January 25 - 7:58 pm

  I wanted a truck that wasnt too big, but had enough grunt to work. Love the space the crew cab gives, wish the bed was about 1 longer. 4.7 V-8 is a great engine in search of a decent transmission. Very slow to down shift, yet wont up-shift in parking lots. 4X4 knob is in a poor location. Ride is a bit too stiff--the 07 was too soft. Handling is terrific for a truck, but I would trade a bit of handling for a less stiff ride. So far 14 mpg city 21 mpg highway, pretty decent for a 300+ HP V-8 4X4. Overall head and shoulders above the Ranger and Colorado, better looking than Toyota and Nissan. Best mid-sized truck out there

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  Shark in traffic - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Dave - January 25 - 6:53 pm

  I love this car. Ive got the Magnesium Pearl, and feel like Im driving a shark. Cruising right along nice and quiet. BAM! A horsepower feeding frenzy and nothing left but the carcasses of an import trying to ace me at a stop sign. My wife was dead set against getting this car, but now loves it.

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  There are much better SUVs out there - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Carlos - January 25 - 6:00 pm

  When I bought this car, I was actually looking for a Jeep Liberty. I saw this car and liked its looks. It was brand new and one of the first R/T models available in the city. I decided to give it a try. It has had three recalls already. Had to take it back to the dealership at least four times. Its not fun to drive, the speed-shift is awfull. Not enough space for your feet. The plastic used inside looks a little cheap. Constant problems with the central computer. The R/T model sure looks nice bus performs and handles terribly. Take a look at the latest consumer report for new cars 2009. It doesnt have one good thing to say about this car! Cant wait for my lease to be over!

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  No regrets, great little car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By car_auctioneer - January 24 - 3:36 pm

  I have about 7,000 miles on my SRT-4. Of course its quick and fun but what surprised me is the refined ride on rough pavement, the quiet highway manners and the interior comfort. Im 42 years old, and my sense of good/bad is pretty refined by now. I can say that this car "fits like a glove" in the sense that its real easy to drive smoothly and precisely. On the down side, its had a few trips to the dealership for a bad battery and a chattering clutch, both fixed under warranty. Worst, there was a knocking in the rear struts and I got the "they all do that" from the dealer. 99 cents worth of vacuum hose jammed in the right spot and a few hours of my time fixed that though!

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  Great truck and has never let me down - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Califroff - January 24 - 12:35 pm

  Owned this truck for almost 5 years, 115,000 miles. Still get 20 mpg on trips, 16 mpg in traffic. Except for tires, lube, fluid changes,and one taillight, have never had a thing that needed fixing. Still have the original battery. Parks outdoors 100% of the time and driven every other day. I over load it frequently and had it stuck so bad a front loader CAT had to lift me out. V6 and transmission just keep going. Better truck that the 1998 Dakota I owned previously. Interior has held up well and is still more comfortable than the Colorado or Rangers Ive tried.

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  2008 Challenger SRT - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By KingKustoms505 - January 24 - 9:25 am

  Although it has a lot of muscle power it cant breathe at 5300 feet where I live in New Mexico. No dome light. Built in cup holders dont fit any known cups. Seats are nice but built for large people. Steering wheel design stinks because the spokes are located right where you rest your fingers around the wheel. Steering wheel is adjustable but does not go down low enough for a 56" person to sit low and still see over the wheel. No spare tire. Doors dont want to stay open when exiting. Cant keep the wheels clean because of the brake dust. Needs stickier tires because the rear end swings around too easily. Tranny not user friendly.