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 Happy With This One - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Stephanie - January 10 - 2:00 pm

  Bought this at 55,000 miles. Not a bad price but a month after purchasing it the air compressor went and an electrical problem got us stuck in Chicago for 4 days. Then the air compressor went 2 more times after that. Also strange noise in the front end which I see many people complained about. Struts were hanging in the bottom when first purchased. Then this year in May the transmission went with the AWD system. Got stuck in Maryland for 2 days and had to go back down and get it after spending $2200 to fix it. Brakes going and muffler so we got rid of this one. This car cost us $15000 when purchased and we have spent $4000 on total repairs of only 2 years.

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  any where i want to go - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By sally sowards - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Over all this is an excellent SUV. I have the AWD in my Durango and will never own anything else. AWD and my Durango has proved its stability to me time and time again in all weather conditions. Dry, wet or snow on or off the road. (nothing will go ice) This is a very reliable and very safe SUV. With no fear my grandsons and I have been all over the place in it.

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  Black on Black R/T on 20in chrome - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Mann - January 10 - 12:24 am

  I got mine sightly under invoice after a cash offer and a strict out the door desired price. They took the offer and I gave them the check. The style of the car caught my attention, then after a test drive i wanted one. The interior is very comfortable, very nicely done leather seats. The power sunroof is an bonus feature. The car still gets ton of looks but most importantly it has the look i want, the performance, and makes driving fun.

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  Great car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By mattness528 - January 9 - 11:34 pm

  I bought this car used with 40000 miles on it. I have only had one problem with it and that was replacing the inner tie rods($470), I was told that this is a very common repair for these vehicles. Overall, I love driving this car and I would recommend it to anyone. If you buy this car, expect expensive repairs. I recommend extended warenty.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2018 Dodge Durango
  By Sharon wayland - January 9 - 7:51 pm

  The Durango hands down is superb I’ve always had a suburban but this vehicle is the best.With all the immenities I got a new suburban would have been well over 2x the price I paid. If this vehicle had Jeep label they wouldn’t be able to keep them on the lot.Dodge has really got a keeper I absolutely love mine.Dodge Durango Gt 6 cylinder,leather,moon roof has it all for under $40;000.

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  Mad Fun - 2008 Dodge Viper
  By Doug - January 9 - 6:50 pm

  What interested me in the Viper was performance from a front engined car. My Viper has an all out hold on pure race feel. Inside is a little cramped at first feel with scary blindspots, but the option of turbo upgrade that will flat out out accelerate anything ( If of course you can keep the rubber on the ground. Im enjoying? Thanks Dodge.

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  Had some trouble but love the vehicle - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Caliebear22 - January 9 - 2:39 am

  I have had to replace the front differential, tires (regular maintenance). I changed the oil to synthetic, now we are having trouble with ball joints. Gas mileage is OK. I get about 15mpg and I have the 3.18 v8 best engine to get. In town I get 11-13mpg. I overall love this car and it did wonders on a slippery slope while having a trailer attached and the brakes are wonderful. I would recommend buying this vehicle. I do have tranny problems. It doesnt like 2nd gear and I have the auto.

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  Nice looking and roomy - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By brendan - January 8 - 10:22 pm

  My wife and I bought it used because she liked the loook of the outside and we really had to buy something that day. The price was right but the car stinks. It is a nice looking car and it is roomy. We have had the car in the shop at least once a month and we always think that it is the trans but it turns out to be something else. The car was not worth the stress and inconvience. i will never own another dodge, this is my third and it is the same story, cheap and ineefective.

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  Great family van - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By civictd04 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Have had no engine problems what-so- ever. Only problem has been the wipers sometimes will turn on for no reason, which gets to be annoying. I wish it had fold down seats like the Honda Odessey. The two sliding doors are also extremely convenient and the gas mileage and driveability of this van are great. It drives like a comfortable car. Dim headlights for sure. Great value.

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  Unreal - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By l stowe - January 7 - 11:46 pm

  I have owned many great cars but the SRT8 has them all outclassed. This car is in a class by itself. The SRT people really out did themselves on this one.