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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  18 again - 2017 Dodge Challenger
  By classic dennis - October 8 - 5:18 am

  its fun to drive

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  Theres no replacement for displacement - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By pete - October 7 - 5:25 pm

  First of all, let me say, this is my second Dodge Dakota. And I have enjoyed this one just as much as my first. Second, to anyone who wants a truck that will always outperform not only the competition but your own expectations, this one is for you! My Dakota has exceptional ride and handling, especially for a truck with a short wheel base. The interior is comfortable with more leg and head room than other compact trucks, and me being 6 2" that means alot. Also, I can certainly vouch for the reliability having put 142,000 combined miles on both my trucks. The only repair Ive had was replacing a blower for the a/c once. However, the best feature of all... horsepower lots and lots of it!!

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  Glad we bought it - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By Geri - October 7 - 4:34 pm

  Weve only had the van for a couple of weeks. The gas mileage did work out to be 26 on the highway and 20 in city. The pick up on the highway was much better then expected for a 4 cyl. It runs like a 6 cyl. The bench seats are easy to remove and change around. Plenty of leg room (front and back) and comfortable ride for long trips if youre in the bucket seat in front. We do have the tinted glass windows. This is a must with the way the wind shield is being so large and angled. Your legs do get warm even with the tint. We would recommend this van for anyone on budget that needs a van. It is affordable and perfect for the homeowner that does dry wall.

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  A Joy to Drive - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By jambry3 - October 7 - 12:59 pm

  Its a joy to drive this SUV. I like the style and comfort plus the extras like the rear DVD player which keeps my 9 yr old entertained on long trips.

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  Does it all - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Eric - October 6 - 9:43 pm

  I am a very picky buyer- this was my 21st vehicle and my first new vehicle. Dodge was the only manufacturer that offered the combination I was looking for- a v8, stick, anti-slip transmission, great appeal, and low insurance cost. After 84000 miles, the truck hasnt lost any power, I get an honest 19 MPG average city/hwy, my insurance is $338 A YEAR, and it is quicker than the R/T, and most sports cars. I can pass other vehicles quickly while towing a 3500 lb. boat! The ride is smooth, parts are cheap ($125 for a complete DIY brake job), and it has the American resilience to rust.

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  Best truck ever - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By SUPERDAK - October 5 - 11:17 pm

  Best truck ever. Combination of power (4.7L V-8) and comfort. I can carry five easily with plenty of leg room. I pull a 3800lbs travel trailer and can do 55 up the steepest hills. Stability is great. Reliability has been excellent. Did have to replace the drivers side window motor/assembly at 80,000 miles.

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  Best SUV!! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Diesel - October 5 - 7:51 pm

  I recently bought my Dodge Durango in the end of Aug. The Durango is the best out of them all. From its new spacious design to the 4.7 under the hood its an all around great car. (the only bad thing was that on 9-3-05 some lady rear ended me leaving me without it for three weeks.) Also for the price of the new Durango you cant find a better ride with all the standard features that are expensive options on other suvs Grab life by the horns go DODGE!

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  Best car ever!! - 2006 Dodge Viper
  By ocivictuner5 - October 5 - 3:42 pm

  I bought this car a little while ago, and i couldnt be any happier. It makes me so excited to drive, its my 4th car and I love it. No car better on the road.

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  How it handled in an accident. - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Al - October 5 - 1:39 am

  I was in an accident last week in my 2003 Stratus SE because a fool on a four-lane highway decided to turn left from the right lane, and while I was traveling in that left lane. (He said I was in his blind spot. Guess he never took drivers ed.!) He nearly t-boned me, but I have lived to tell the story. The car was totalled. Both airbags went off, the windshield broke, the front right side sustained much damage, but I was able to get it stopped in a field, not tip over, and pretty much got control as soon as possible. His car was about the size of mine, which helped, but I now have enough faith in the car to buy a 2005 version, which we did just tonight.

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  Love This Truck! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Mark - October 4 - 10:23 pm

  I was skeptical when I let my wife talk me into this - I was looking for a high gas mileage import. She knew Id always liked the looks. Once I drove it I was hooked. I have the 4.7 V8 & 5sp. I average 17/gal for my commute and 19+ on the road (my best is 19.85). Great for this truck. I have had nothing but great experience from my dealer. I had a heater hose leak (there was a service bulletin on it) and they offered to replace the carpet if I wanted! I am now getting into a carpool because of the gas prices, but I NEED the truck. It is a great vehicle. Easy & fun to drive and comfortable on the road. The family likes it better than anything else weve owned.