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:

• 

  This is your "MOMs" car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Sue - November 3 - 10:06 pm

  Read the Edmunds review that said was going to be a 20 something vehicle. Dont believe it. Traded in a 99 Eddie Bauer Expedition for 2.0L 4cyl SXT. The styling is phenomenal and is very roomy inside. All the comforts you need and more if you want to add them. Very reasonably priced. Been driving for over a week and love everything about it. Smooth ride, great acceleration for a small engine, well designed interior. For someone who is used to driving a tank to love a small vehicle this much it has got to have something. Check it out - driving it is believing.

• 

  Gonna miss my Dodge - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By Loved My Truck - November 3 - 7:20 pm

  This was a great truck. I bought it with 65,000 miles on it from a private owner here in Michigan and it may have been the best vehicle I have ever owned. Finally, at 152,000 miles, the repair to the main oil seal and other small stuff it needs are too much for the value of the truck. Time to put her out to pasture.

• 

  Get outta Dodge - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By tommythecat86 - November 3 - 4:47 pm

  I recently purchased a 2001 Dodge Durango. Engine blew due to some "mysterious oil loss". Dealership claims its our fault (of course they would...its still under warranty). The crappy engine is just part of the laundry of of problems. Electric windows that dont work (Hope I dont crash into a body of water). Multiple comfort options in the seats...dont work(anybody who drives has to be my height, no more no less). Brakes are junk. On the brighter side, it looks pretty and is very spacious...Yipeee!

• 

  Charger RT with Road & Track - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Charger RT Road&Trak - November 3 - 1:17 pm

  I purchased my charger rt with R&T about a week ago. All the features you can ask for, bluetooth, navigation, heated seats, power, awesome looks, growling engine! MDS allows the car to cruise in 4cyl when you punch it it goes to 8Cyl. I added mopar exhaust and mopar cold air intake to add some MPGs and more growl and it definitely makes a wonderful difference. I receive a compliment every single day, no lie! Great value, they gave me a great price because sales are down, and the warranty seems to be great.Needless to say im a happy camper.Coming from a Base 2006 Grand prix to this is like a completely different world! If you want a charger, buy a Hemi!

• 

  I messed up this time - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By L. Duke - November 2 - 10:07 pm

  As much a Dodge fan that I am, this is not looking good. I have a vibration problem, the suspension is very soft, the front end pulls and clunks. I am very dissatisfied, and this will probably be my last Dodge.

• 

  Watch those power doors - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Karen - November 2 - 11:06 am

  We purchased this Dodge Grand Caravan Sport to replace our 10 year old Grand Caravan that died. This is our 3rd one and because of previous problems we also purchased the extended 100,000 mile warranty. I strongly suggest purchasing extended warranties with these vans as they are prone to problems. So why did I buy my 3rd one? Because they are just fun to drive for a mini-van! Just because Im a mom doesnt mean Im dead. Its comfortable, extremely maneuverable, and tows our pop-up camper with ease. The power sliding door was a big problem, however. Never would work when the outside temp was less than 75. This went on for three years! Finally, "uplinking" the computer to a satellite fixed it.

• 

  Nice at a glance- but look further - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By pete - November 2 - 6:20 am

  At first glance, its a lot of van for the money. I was most impressed with the Entertainment option. However, I had the van for 3 days and returned it. In 3 days of driving, the 3rd row video screen stopped working 2x, the pass sliding door would not close 5x (closed, then opened), overhead console rattles, remote for the DVD didnt work, music copy function didnt work on the radio, and the exterior panels are not even. Look at the gap between the hood and fenders. This van has a lot of nice features - a lot of features that will keep you coming in for service of intermittent problems Also, the van w swivel seats is not crash test rated, but others are 5 star. HMMMM

• 

  I love this car - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By oiu75rew - November 1 - 11:00 pm

  I love this car because it is easy to drive. Boat! Quiet, good on gas, and my husband approves of it too

• 

  Sorry I got this van - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Chris - November 1 - 9:06 pm

  I decided to trade my old van for the 2006 because of the stow n go seats. I am leasing the van with all intentions of keeping the van when the lease is up. I should have kept my old vehicle. I had complained twice about the odor I get when I turn on the defrost or a/c and I have been told there is nothing wrong. I had to have the back a/c unit replaced because of leaking, the part was on back order and had to wait 2 months which was during the hottest time of the season. The motor on the passenger side window had to be replaced, the window would not go up during a rain. Now the left passenger side door will not slide open when I press the button, I have to manually open the door.

• 

  Love it - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Bob W. - November 1 - 12:09 pm

  Took me back to the 70s era as soon as I saw. Once in and test driving it was all over had to get. It is a defintie head turner, I have people stopping me in traffic, at different places I park and want to talk about and how hot it is. Got to say Dodge got it right on this one. Maybe they should start thinking Cornet 440, theres a lot of us 50 somethings that remember that era, and now have the money to afford one.