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:

• 

  Update Nitro R/T - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By karen Nitro R/T - January 7 - 9:12 pm

  Ive had my Nitro R/T 4.0 engine for 11 mos. now and Ive had a number of problems with it.Two weeks after I got it I noticed a like chattering noise from the engine. First they said serpentine belt. The noise got louder. My crankshaft bearing and pistons have been replaced. My Sirius radio has had 2 recalls. Needs new one. Heater doesnt work right. Now my roof rack has a recall on it.T hey are tired of working on it. Take it to another dealership. Sad thing it only has 9700 miles on it. What next?What will it be like in another year? Parking it is terrible too. Wider than my other SUV. Hard to see where you are in a parking space. Too much money too many headaches. Stay away! Not unless you want trouble?

• 

  Awesome - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By baycity - January 7 - 2:55 pm

  I traded in my 3rd Yukon Denali 3 years ago for this car and I love it. I didnt need a big SUV, but I still needed the use of a utility vehicle for my business, kids and dogs. This car is great. I average 20mpg with the 5.7 Hemi. I can have my cake and eat it too. I leased the car back in 2006 and just thought I would lease or buy another car when my time was up, but Chrysler sent me an offer I couldnt refuse. If I buy the car at the end of the lease, Chrysler will take a substantial amount off the residual buyout amount in the contract, so Ive decided to buy the car. 3 years and 57K miles later I havent had any problems except with the navi which is a minor repair hopefully.

• 

  My Blue Boy - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Miss - January 7 - 1:54 pm

  I bought my 2002 in 2002, brand new. I love the way it handles and I love the mileage. Ive had problems with transmission and just recently one of my back brakes. But its all wear and tear. Now its fine and rides great. It handles great in any weather. I got a total of 137,000 miles and its still going.

• 

  Ticking noise - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Nice car but....... - January 7 - 1:06 pm

  Me and my wife love the looks of this suv; But now we wonder if we got our selfs a lemon! A week after we got my wife noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine.It sound like a valve out of adjustment. I called the dealer and theyve been nice about it , they are willing to do what ever it take . So no complaint about service!! They started with the oil , but the ticking came back!! Now the car will go in for service. Other than that this car is good in all aspects!

• 

  Midlife Crisis Mobile - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Jarhead - January 5 - 10:22 pm

  Bought my Challenger during holiday vacation as a present to myself for my 40th birthday. Was considering all the known 40ish suspects - Acura, BMW, Infiniti, etc. but wanted to get something different and more exciting. Saw the Challenger and had to have it. Drove the Charger and liked it but fell hard for the styling and ride of the Challenger. Love the way it drives - power, control and fun. Have already had several folks follow me to a stoplight or gas station to ask about the car. Lots of thumbs up and nods from other guys with cool car envy. Opted for the R/T as a compromise vs the upgrade to SRT. All black with tinted windows looks awesome. The best car I have owned to date.

• 

  Good results - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By viper81149 - January 5 - 3:30 pm

  We have had a van since 1993 and this is the most reliable one we have owned. Good results. Plenty of power. A couple of problems that were covered by warranty but nothing major. No issues with engine or transmission. Rear brake cylinder had small leak at 60,000 miles and was replaced but other than that, no significant problems.

• 

  Beautiful Vehicle - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By Love my Durango - January 5 - 3:27 pm

  I almost had my mind made up to buy a GMC Acadia until I test drove the Durango, no comparison. The Durango won hands down. Nice and roomy. I just love the way it rides and handles.It is a beautiful vehicle inside and out. I picked out the Limited with the Hemi and could not be more pleased. It looks sporty with all the chrome trim but looks and rides like a luxury car. It has everything you could possible want in a vehicle. Its loaded. Oh those leather seats with the suede middle, I just love them. They dont get hot like solid leather seats and so comfortable. Its also a very quite ride.

• 

  Magnum review - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By curtiss - January 5 - 10:00 am

  the styling of this vehicle is outstanding, and draws conversation everywhere it goes. The performance of the engine, and the braking, are superb. Build quality of the interior appears to be very good. It is too new to address the gas mileage.

• 

  150K and still loving it. Dodge Rules! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By dodgeman - January 5 - 9:09 am

  This is my first truck, and my first Dodge product. I own a Nissan car, and this has proven to be just as reliable. I purchased this with 70K on the odometer and just clicked 150,000. I love this truck. It has proven to be the most reliable vehicle ever. Ive had my share of small issues like seals on the A/C compressor ($90), resistor fan switch ($50) ignition ($200) hose leaks (due to my lack of maintenance) but it has never failed to start and drive since Ive owned it. These trucks do not get the respect they deserve. I have beaten this thing down (waiting 8- 9K before oil changes, never serviced tranny, differential, filters, fluids, nothing. Just brakes, oil, tires and the key.

• 

  Sapmans - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By sapman007 - January 4 - 10:40 pm

  Great van so far. Once you learn to use the stow-n-go seats they are a snap and have been a life saver for a family of 5. Gas mileage is a little weak, but mostly stop and go driving so it is to be expected. Great power (3.8 V6). It gets onto the freeway and you are up to speed with the traffic in no time.