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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  Number 4 - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By P Sosnoski - October 19 - 9:35 pm

  This is our 4th Minivan and best yet. Love the DVD player and Stow n Go seating. Dealer was great, our 3 from them. This is much quieter than our 2000 Grand Caravan. No problems so far, and gas mileage is improving weekly (thank god!!)....about 23mpg mixed.

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  Great Truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Eric - October 19 - 2:32 am

  I got this truck on my 18th birthday. I love it! Comfortable ride, dependable, V-6 -has plenty of power, smooth look. Chrome definitely looks nice on this truck. The interior could use a little work, but nothing major. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase. I also looked at the Colorado, and I am very satisfied with my decision. I recommend buying.

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  Gotta Love It!!! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Starry - October 18 - 2:00 am

  This car has been wonderful to me and my family. It is very roomy and provides space for five, tall adults. The ride is very smooth and comfortable for long trips. The only complaint is that the driver window sticks and falls off of the track. Other than that, there is absolutely nothing I would say is wrong with the car!

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  Astounding Value - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By sailor22 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Lots of utility and comfort for low price, $9,000 LESS THAN my 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, and I received "friends and family" pricing on both. How does DCX do it? HEMI gas mileage on freeway was 19+ mpg @ 75 mph, after break in. Unique styling doesnt do much for us, but more people ask about liking the Durango than they ever did about the Expedition. Ride quality is much more compliant and smoother than old Durango, very "German" in character. Ive owned the BMW X5 4.4 sport and a Mercedes ML320 and find the Durango Limited to be up to par with these vehicles; the Durango cost $24,000 less than my 2000 X5. Not as roomy as the Expedition.

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  Totally Awesome! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By chicagomark - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Durango…after 80K in a ‘99 SLT Plus (5.9L) and 30K in a ‘03 R/T (5.9L). After one month, I have 2K in this HEMI Limited. Adding 20-inch chrome rims (after market) makes a big difference in style. I am still amazed at the rapid acceleration coming off a ramp to enter the expressway or passing traffic. Can effortlessly cruise 75+ mph with good control, low noise, and still comfortable ride. I was surprised to see almost an extra 2 mpg with the 5.7L HEMI (avg 14 mpg) over my previous ’03 R/T 5.9L (avg 12.5 mpg). Gas tank is bigger, so I can go almost an extra 30 or 40 miles before refill. New Durango = best choice for performance and looks.

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  Great Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By budo - October 15 - 9:10 am

  This is a GREAT car! Great power, handling, braking, comfort, style and quality. I love the sound system and the quiet that the car has to let you enjoy the music. Any car whose doors close with a bank vault solidity is a great car to me.

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  I love my gorgeous Avenger ES coupe!!! - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Danielle B. - October 15 - 2:10 am

  I bought my Avenger in September of this year, and I have loved every second of owning this car. I have had no problems at all with it, and I hope I never do. It has 99,000 miles on it, and it runs great. It drives great, looks awesome, and the interior is so comfortable. I have seriously almost fallen asleep in the seats before. I am also impressed with the fuel economy. I couldnt have been happier with any other car.

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  Great car, needs more juice - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Tallman - October 12 - 3:18 pm

  First off, this car is definitely worth the money, just for interior space alone. Im somewhere in the 67" to 68" range and I still fit comfortably (albeit with the seat all the way back and tilted a bit). Ive also driven it about 33,000 miles and no problems at all other than the occasional flat (weird tire size, Walmart doesnt even carry them). This cars one main drawback is its not very quick off the line, no real torque. Luckily, the Neon is a sport compact tuner car, so lots of performance parts are made to remedy this, if you have the money for em. Speakers are incredible, I dont even have the urge to switch them out. All in all, a great car for the money.

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  Shes a brick house! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By BRICKCHIK - October 11 - 1:43 pm

  I love this car! Styling is on point, Dodge hit a home run with this one. I laugh at the new Mustangs, there is no comparision. Interior room is great, and handling superior. My baby came with "Charger" pinstripping applied @ dealership, gave a even more dynamic appearence to her. Not a day goes by that someone is not asking about the car. I have to get the SRT-8 as soon as possible. INSTANT CLASSIC!!!

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  Best truck Ive ever owned - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By mistermopar - October 11 - 11:05 am

  Bought this truck new, traded in my Mustang for it. Turns out to have been a great decision. Not an ounce of trouble so far. Worst thing Ive ever had happen is a ticking valve lifter, but that goes away in 20 seconds or so and then it just runs perfect. Runs on low octane without pinging at all, a problem Ive had with almost every other brand Ive owned. Love the V8, but it could have more HP/torque for its size, but incredibly smooth and more of an economy engine than the 360 was (I have one of those in a 1996 Ram). I dont really know what else I could want a truck to be than this one!