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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  Daytona ES - 1991 Dodge Daytona
  By rams73 - May 22 - 10:37 pm

  I own a 91 Daytona ES that I just drove back from NM back to Denver. It just turned over 147k. This car has been in the family since it was new on the show room floor so I know the history of the car. I have taken excellent care of it and love the way it looks and drives on the interstate. Ive had to replace the fuel pump after 20 years just replaced the rack and pinion clutch timing belt brakes and regular maintenance to the vehicle. I would like to enhance the power and suspension and fix it all up, but my brother tells me "You cant polish a turd"! (Rude) The interior and exterior are in excellent shape aside from the front fender from hitting and killing a dear.

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  Takes a licking - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By khowicz - May 22 - 7:21 am

  I bought my 03 brand new in January 04 with 300 miles on it. I was 22 and drove it hard...and drove it everywhere. This car has been on many road trips all over the US, I did not keep up with the scheduled maintenance, aside from oil changes, Ive been in a couple accidents, and I still have had no major problems that I didnt cause myself. It has almost 200,000 miles on it now. After 7 years, Ive only had to replace tie rods and the struts, and I am now having some suspension issues, which I need to get checked out..... but like I said, I was not careful with it at all for a couple years. If you need a reliable car that gets good mpg, then I would suggest a neon!

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  Very Good Car - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By vannp - May 20 - 2:26 am

  Got this car in 04 with 40k miles on it, replaced the brakelight switch, starter, water pump, drivers window motor & front brakes several times, rear brakes once, very comfortable car with good gas mileage, still running strong at 122k, going to buy another one for my daughter tomorrow.

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  Love my new R/T - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By rangedev - May 16 - 5:57 pm

  Love this car to the point I had to write about. I am a tall and wide guy (63 250) so I need some head and shoulder room. Car shopping left me sick of small "economical" cars with road noise problems or big plush SUVs with wimpy engines. After that I had been eyeballing the Challengers with the 2011 Charger as a close second. Side by side with the new Charger: its killer new interior, the updated scooped doors, and tail lights put me over the edge. The R/T plus RWD fulfilled all gadget-lust needs (heated/cooled cup warmers, etc...) plus thick leather, killer dash... purchased. So far commuting 280 with cc on at 77mph, and mashing pedals all around town I am holding at 18mpg combined.

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  Great car for great value - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By rj45 - April 25 - 9:04 pm

  This was my first car and I didnt buy it too long ago. Has 84,000 miles and in good condition! Only cost me $4,500. Also came with a fresh set of tires. The car is an overall very good buy. It rides smoothly and has that "low" feeling. There is a limited amount of body roll while turning due to a stiffer suspension. Even though its a coupe, the back seat is rather large and very comfortable. The trunk space is also pretty large, it managed to fit over $160 worth of groceries. Though the car is cheap, reliable, and sporty, the build quality isnt spot on. The front and rear bumper is made of cheap plastic, which is a little flimsy. The dashboard is rubber and bulges out when hot.

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  Doesnt work well with kids car seats. - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By hglkrl - April 25 - 6:41 am

  Bought it last week without the wifes input. Always a mistake. With two car seats installed the third row seat is inaccessible. I should have bought the Acadia with more flexible seating. The car is fun to drive. Interior is very nicely done. Garmin navigation works very well. Electronics are awesome. Adaptive cruise control and ventilated seats are something I never cared about. But once you use them you will love them. Blind-spot avoidance works well. I bought the V8 with a tow package because they didnt have a white V6 on the lot with the tow package. Another mistake. The V6 is just fine and has 30% better mileage than the V8. Expensive Mistake to get the 8.

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  Amazing Durango!! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By rms2011 - April 17 - 7:33 pm

  I bought my 2003 Durango new and have been driving it ever since. I drive alot and have put 240k miles on this SUV. It has been a great car! Great for pulling our horse trailer, hauling kids and as day to day work vehicle. I change the oil every 3k miles or so and other than normal maintenance I have had NO problems. Prior to the Durango I usually did not buy American cars...but the Durango changed my mind! I just bought a new car and bought another American made car. (smaller car, better gas mileage than the SUV) Im keeping the Durango around too...how many miles can you go Durango!! Love our Durango...thanks Dodge!

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  Starting Problems w/ 2011 Journey - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By jjm001 - April 14 - 7:27 pm

  Bought new on Feb 28th 2011, had problems with the battery being dead most mornings within 2 weeks. 1st trip to garage-said it was defective battery & replaced. Then a week later, same thing again. Information screen will start flashing, lights flash, wont start, and loud pulsating noises from battery area. In the garage for a week and a half, cant find any problem. Then today, battery not dead but vehicle will not start again. It attempts to but wont. Had it towed to dealer for 3rd service trip. Dodge says this is our problem not theirs. Dealer refuses to give us any loaner vehicle. Have been treated poorly by everyone! Have owned many Dodge vehicles & this is the last!

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  Great! but do not buy it, please read. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By diego_cid - April 6 - 4:12 pm

  the car was great, until 100K miles. It first started as slightly rough idle, and then it got worse. I had it check and it was determined that a valve was leaking and therefore it would misfire. It failed the wet compression test and the computer code backed the mechanics claim. Miss fire cylinder # 2. The repairs would cost me 1.5K on a 3K car, it was not worth it so I traded the car still owning like 2K, I got 800 for it in the trade it since it was broken, the check engine light would flash during idle so there was no hiding it. The car was fun to drive and very very practical, gas mileage was about 28 hwy and 23 city. It could be a lot better for an engine that small.

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  NEW TIE RODS @ 40,000 miles - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jaci3 - April 5 - 6:12 pm

  go have your tie rod end replaced as soon as possible we were on the road doing 55 when the tie rod broke we are so lucky to be alive. My charger everyone is a 2008 with 40,000 miles on it it is time we do something about this issue. I will be going public everywhere about this till Dodge recalls them.