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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  Loving It - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By asgard - October 14 - 2:36 pm

  Great SUV, Hemi MDS works great, avg. around 17 mpg highway driving with cruise set at 55. Had an 2001 Durango SLT, traded it for 2006 Jeep Liberty, was not happy with Jeep, kept it 2 years. With 0% for 72 months and 2000.00 rebate, could not pass up the Durango. Driving Jeep made me miss the ride of a larger SUV.

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  25 mpg with a Hemi! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Eddie - October 14 - 12:22 pm

  I have had this vehicle for 2 years and have taken many long trips and done quite a bit of towing. When driven conservatively, I experienced 25 mpg on a trip from NY to Vermont! It is an amazing vehicle and has been very reliable. I have had very few issues with the vehicle and the only disappointing factor is the rapid depreciation. I picked it up when it was 4 months old with 4000 miles for 20k, so Im in a better situation than most who purchased these vehicles new, but based off my ownership experience and total and complete satisfaction, I would recommend a Durango to anyone looking for the extra space and ability to tow.

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  Love my challenger - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By zippy - October 14 - 2:30 am

  Just bought my challenger and I love it. It is absolutely the coolest car on the road for the price. I am impressed by the interior design and the stereo is great. Mine has the GPS and it is very user friendly. This is a car I may actually keep for awhile.

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  Bad Transmission - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Kerry - October 13 - 10:30 pm

  We bought a new Caliber in April 08 and had to take it back in August because 3d gear went out. Took 3 weeks to rebuild the transmission. Two days later, back to tighten bolts and plug in sensor. 2 weeks later, dropping out of 5th gear. They drove it and said nothing is wrong. Still dropping out of 5th and am now afraid to put my children in for a drive.

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  Good but not great - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Durango Don - October 13 - 1:27 pm

  I used to own a Subaru WRX but when my wife became pregnant I decided I needed something a little bigger. We had looked at a Grand Cherokee we liked but I decided to purchase the Durango. I enjoy owning the Durango but there are so many small things that always catch my attention. Minor noises when I start the engine, the way it idles, the way it accelerates sometimes, etc. I am always afraid something is breaking. I am probably just paranoid because so far I have had to take it to the dealer every month to have something fixed. I think my best purchase may have been the warranty.

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  Avenger 08 SXT in NE Texas - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Connie - October 12 - 9:43 pm

  I love this car, and it handles so well. I have put 9000 miles on it as I work for the state and travel a good bit. It can handle any traffic conditions and very good gas mileage. I actually get more than the stats that were stated when I bought it. The cooler thing is not what I thought it would be but the satellite radio has spoiled this ole gals music experience, I can never be without it again. And the spoiler and moonroof makes me feel younger. Not! But hey, nice car.

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  Least Expensive Truck with 6010 Gvwr - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By Autoservicecenter - October 12 - 11:28 am

  I needed a truck that met the weight requirement of over 6000 lbs and over a 6 ft box to qualify for IRS Section 179 100% tax depreciation in the first year. I did not want a big full sized truck to do it, so I searched the market and found 2. The Honda Ridgeline and the Dakota. The Ridgeline was underpowered. The Dakota is perfect. GVWR of 6010 lbs and a 6.6 ft box meet Section 179 requirements. I test drove other 4x4s and only the Dakota rides perfect on rough roads - not to loose and not jarring stiff. The cabin is nice and quiet at interstate speeds. The 4.7 L High Output V8 pulls hard on hills, blasts around when passing traffic, tows 7500lbs and gets 20 highway mpg.

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  Noisy transmission and road noise - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By GRAND CARAVAN - October 11 - 11:48 am

  This is the noisiest car I have ever driven. Sounds like the transmission is already in trouble after only 4000 miles and earlier. The road noise is awful . Could be the tires. Will take it back to the dealer next week, but compared to my 2000 Voyager its just noisier and parts internally and externally seem flimsier. Hope they are not going back to their old poor workmanship compared to Japanese cars.

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  transmission - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By curti420 - October 11 - 10:44 am

  i too have the chatter in the transmission. they did a flash and that didnt help (there is a flash update for the auto stick). then they say they cant find the problem or replicate the problem. then i finally get a tech to ride with me and as soon as we leave the lot it shift from 1-4 before i get to 30 mph and shakes the crap out of the whole car. then they replaced the torque converter. much better but can still feel something wrong. i almost guarantee its the torque converter.

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  LOTS of Problems - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By AEJ070897 - October 11 - 10:00 am

  New trans at 50,139--broke without any warning (just over the warranty)but Chrysler did split half the cost. Now we have problem with the AC compressor, wiper going on for no reason at all, engine light comes on for no reason. Not very reliablemechanically but nice vehicle to look at. I would only purchase if you plan on keeping it less than 3 yrs. or if you like to look at in your drive.