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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  Best Car I have Ever Had - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By blndbrm727 - October 22 - 3:36 pm

  I bought my Intrepid ES new in January of 2001. It now has 143,000 miles on it and have had to put only $1,000 into it -about a month ago. I love my Intrepid and wish they still made them! Would buy another one in 1/2 a heartbeat! Mine still has a good 30K- 40K miles left in it. My original goal was to get 150K miles. My secret has been this: Firestone! I purchased the lifetime tire rotation and lifetime alignment along with their tire protection plan. About $500. Each time oil is changed - tires rotated and aligned. Firestone is great about letting you know what maintenance is due when!

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  Retro-tainment - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By Amoparman - October 22 - 4:15 am

  This is my first "NEW" car, but I have lots of other vintage mopars and DD 99 Dakota R/T. This car delivers on the promise that the Charger did not. Took it on a 1500 mi trip right after getting it. Awesome on the road. Passing is great fun and watching people get self inflicted whiplash when you go by them. Im surprised there is so much plastic crap up front. Digging out all the bugs was a real pain. Had it to around 125 mph out on the desert highway, and still way more in it, but the wife gets nervous. Mine is black w/o the sunroof or NAV, dont miss either one. Seats are fine for sitting and driving, but dont even think your gonna get comfy when you lay back. Totally NOT sorry I got it.

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  Outstanding Van - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Peter - October 21 - 7:36 pm

  I have had my 2005 since September 2004. The seating system is outstanding. I have had no problems with the van and it is truely enjoyable to drive. At 200,000 I will get another one!

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  Best Car Ever - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Best Car Ever - October 21 - 6:18 pm

  Bought this car from a lady in 03 with 67,000 miles on it. I now have 140,000 and it is still going strong. The only problem I had, was the ball joint broke, but Dodge fixed it. My car is a 4 cylinder 5 speed which is faster and quicker than the auto 6 cylinder. The car handles like a dream and rides perfect. Gas mileage is about 30 miles on the hwy and 22 in town. Run this car till it dies, probably buy another new Dodge avenger because of this one!

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  Fierce Look / Frustrated Owner! - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By JJW - October 21 - 1:15 pm

  I purchased the Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl (paint color) its awesome! The body style looks fierce/mean. The ride is smooth and its got alot of room in seating and trunk space. BUT...the white interior choice is ugly (back deck & upper portion inside the vehicle). The windshield wipers-on highest speed- dont work well. Severe safety hazard. The piece theyve put on the back passenger windows is a BAD blind spot. The "cooler" compartment is a total waste. As you start to drive- when the door locks fall into place, theyre super loud. the turn signal sounds like it was taken out of and OLD car. Very loud with the clicking noise. MANY improvements should be made to this model

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  Cheap Go-Fast Racer - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Tin Man - October 21 - 2:00 am

  A bundle of fun (and speed) for 20K? Its for real in this car, one of the biggest performance bargins in many years. Add to that enough room to carry more than two people, a decent trunk, and a list of standard features that leaves almost no options needed (or offered) and you have one of the best ideas from tkhe Mopar folks.

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  04 Durango Hemi Engineering Problem - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Disalusioned - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Annoying droning sound on acceleration with new 5.71 L Hemi Durango Limited. Chrysler Engineering acknowleding problem considering other complaints but no scheduled fix available. Until fix is available I would purchase a different SUV.

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  Beauty AND the Beast - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Tony - October 20 - 8:09 pm

  I bought the R/T with 33,000km, so far, did 2 oil changes at the dealer, the car is amazingly quiet and comfortable on the highway, Chrysler did a good job air-sealing this beast. Even on local roads when idling, you can barely hear that the engine is running. i get 8 L/100 km on the highway and about 15 L/100 km local, every time i fill it i get an average displayed around 13 L/100 km, now remember I drive agressively, so its higher than regular. I did quite a bit of research before purchasing, and its the best purchase ive ever made in my life!

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  danger! - 2008 Dodge Viper
  By bundas - October 20 - 7:43 pm

  first viper, second new car. @70 very unstable, needs traction control. stepped out of 550 maranello to drive this home, scary experience. seats too close to steering wheel. need optional 2" lower railing

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  Awesome - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Big E - October 20 - 7:40 pm

  Lots of room I have the special edition with Bose stereo Power everything moonroof . Would trade only for SRT version