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:

• 

  Great Van - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Sgt Rich - July 17 - 10:03 pm

  Bought A 2010 SXT w/ 4.0L in May, no long road trips yet but we get about 27 mpg on hwy and 17 mpg in town, not bad. Noticed a few weeks after we bought it a rattling noise coming from the driver sliding door, brought it to a local dealership, they couldnt find anything wrong, on the drive home the rattling stopped, havent heard it since, strange. Have the Uconnect with two Video Entertainment systems, lifesaver with a two year old on longer drives. Easy to use controls(A/C, Cruise If your in the market for a this minivan, dont bother with the lower end models, its like a different vehicle stepping up to the SXT.

• 

  My 98 Intrepid - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Bruce Bryant - July 17 - 3:24 pm

  I purchased this 1998 Intrepid used from a Buick Dealership. This being my first Chrysler purchase, I was astonished at this vechicle. The car has NASCAR looks about her and handles excellent. Having owned several Corvettes and numerous muscle cars in my past, I still cant get over the value Chrysler has packaged into this low priced domestic automobile. In the future, Chrysler will be my first consideration when purchasing my next vechicle. I love my Intrepid!

• 

  1991 Dodge Daytona ES - 1991 Dodge Daytona
  By Mark - July 17 - 1:45 pm

  I just got a 91 daytona and it is a nice little car to own. The gas mileage is excellent and is powerful for a 4 cylinder. Have 142,900 miles on it and still running good.

• 

  My Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By nancy - July 16 - 5:00 pm

  My husband purchased this vehicle on my birthday. What a great gift. I wish it was fully loaded, with a navigation system though and remote start nd automatic headlights. In order to have the navigation and remote start installed I would have to go elsewhere which I dont want to do.

• 

  Wonderful car - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Steve McKnelly - July 14 - 11:01 am

  I have the SXT Special Edition and I love it! Quiet on the inside with a nice, deep exhaust note on the outside. The only problem Ive run into with this car involves the O2 sensors. One of them died in the first 12,000 miles. When they replaced it at the dealership, it wasnt until I returned with the same problem that they learned there was a misprint in the service manual. If you have work done on this problem and it doesnt go away after service, have the dealership verify the part number with Dodge.

• 

  Great SUV - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Levent - July 14 - 10:00 am

  What a Great SUV

• 

  Great car but - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By spottydog181 - July 13 - 8:43 am

  This has ben one of the most fun little cars I have ever owned. With the 5 speed the car can get up and go. It gets great gas mileage around 30 highway. Probably do better if driven not so hard. The car corners like a slot car.

• 

  Best SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Harlan - July 11 - 3:48 pm

  Quiet, with great handling. Powerful, with great sound Have only done routine maintenance in 28,000 miles and 9 months! 17 to 20 mpg with a Hemi.

• 

  Best buy for the buck - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By D M Millar - July 11 - 11:20 am

  I have been driving Chrysler products for many years because I find them more reliable. I chose the 2007 Dodge Caliber after I tried out Matrix and others and notice the structure was much safer looking and it had a 5 star rating and it felt more like a safer car to ride in. After reading of so many being injured and killed in Toyota and other small cars I chose the Caliber and Im glad I did. The ride is unbelievable, performance and economy better than expected. I usually trade every two years but this ones a keeper for another year or two. Compare the structure of this vehicle with Japans vehicles and you will feel safe in a Caliber

• 

  Super Car - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By Douglas C Miller PhD - July 9 - 10:54 am

  Ive had my all black Viper for almost a year now--just about at 10K miles. Performance is as expected-- unbelievable. I find it very comfortable as an everyday car but superb out on the road. My only complaints are how hot it gets once the engine is warm, particularly in traffic, and the poor gas mileage (but I expected that with this engine). Its not easy to fit in a tall passenger either, but at my height Im very comfortable, and the drivers seat just hugs one. Acceleration is far and away the best Ive driven, better than BMWs, Porsches, Vettes. I test drove everything except Ferraris and Lamborghinis and chose the Viper, and Im still happy with it.