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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  Fun Fun FUN! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By B. Stepan - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I had been planning on purchasing a Subaru WRX Sedan... Until I test drove the SRT-4... Having driven an 03 SRT- 4, I had been somewhat dissapointed. The 04 however, corrected most of my concern simply by adding the limited slip Differential. Traction off the line is unbelievable for a light weight front wheel drive vehicle. My SRT-4 routinely beats the WRX off the line along with more traditional sports cars like Mustangs, Camaros and the likes. This car is, simply put, just fun to drive. I look for excuses just to drive it down the street.

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  Good car for the money. - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Bigfoot - October 11 - 12:36 am

  Bought this car 1 1/2+ years ago for $7500 and have put 20,000+ miles on it. Knowing what I know now would buy it again. Only problems Ive had are Ive had to replace the front brake pads twice already. I put in the least expensive pads. But other than that this had been real good dependable car. Plenty of power for passing and in the hills. Decent gas mileage as Ive always gotten 29-30 any time Ive checked it. Also pretty comfortable car. My hip dont get stiff and sore on longer trips like it does when I drive my Jeep.

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  About my car. - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Desirae - October 10 - 4:11 pm

  The stratus was my first car I had purchased, I loved it when I first sat in it, I had ordered it from another State, it travels nice long distances and flies up hill! The only thing that did something really weird is that it would accelerate on its own, almost had me cause an accident! Its done that several times, and the problems with the engine light going on and off, something to do with an oxygen sensor, and whenever you turn the wheel sharp it would make a clicking sound, brakes may need to be replaced already!

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  Disappointed Grand Caravan Owner - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dennis - October 10 - 9:40 am

  Our first Grand Caravan is a 1999 with 174k miles. Regular maintenance and a few minor issues through the years. But the 2006 model has been a major disappointment. The space and ride are good but we have been told the rack and pinion are shot as well as the power steering pump at 65000 miles. The water pump replaced at 40k and the passenger side sliding door lock broke at 20k. The leather seats are now starting to wear through. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  I love it! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Larry Webster - October 10 - 6:53 am

  Had a Infinity G35. That car was in the shop countless times. So I went over to the Dodge store and bought this one off the showroom floor. WOW! Great performance! Great interior and engine. Blows the Infiniti away in every aspect.

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  Loving my new used ride! - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Kelly Geis - October 10 - 6:48 am

  Used edmunds.com to locate my vehicle and got a great deal!

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  better than I expected - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By ljordan09 - October 8 - 10:48 pm

  Im more of a GMC/Chevy fan. And always had a negative idea about Chrysler. But i cant help but admit, Im surprised. Mostly everything is solid. i love the stereo. It is small but doesnt feel small at all. drivers seat is pretty comfortable but the seat adjustments are awfully placed. Although i love how sporty the car looks, it looks like a chopped-top, its not good for tall people. and my biggest problem with this car: ROAD NOISE!

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  Still Going After 209K Miles! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ron Irwin - October 8 - 8:26 pm

  Well, I finally had to put some significant dollars into my van, but much less than any new car I might purchase. Runs like a new one with a factory rebuilt tranny (old transmission had trouble with low gear, but otherwise ran great). Have run Mobile One synthetic oil in the van since it was new, and the oil added 10% to my gas mileage (20-24 MPG with the 3.8L V6). Change oil and filter once a year (20-25K miles). Will keep this van until the wheels fall off! Very happy with the purchase and performance of this vehicle.

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  Roomy, Quiet Oasis in Traffic - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By Ken - October 8 - 4:19 pm

  Being 64" tall, interior room is very important. Ive had the Magnum since February, and at first was worried about the 2.7 L V6, but having driven it to the east coast, over the mountains, was surprised with the power of the car. Extremely quiet ride, nice stereo system. Absolutely zero build problems, no mechanical problems with the car at all. Have to join the chorus that is sorry that they are not building this car any more, really love it. Traded in a 1995 Dodge Spirit with 120K miles, this car is a whole different ride altogether. Also considered Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne, Magnum has a better quieter ride and is roomier.

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  New 2008 Avenger R/T - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Gary - October 8 - 4:14 pm

  Just bought a 2008 Avenger R/T with all the bells and whistles except the rear seat DVD thing. A little history first: Im 61 my wife is 59. We test drove lots of vehicles. After lots of Internet searching and dealer quotes. We settled on the Avenger (SXT 4cyl). Liked the styling, options etc, drove it for a weekend. Power didnt make the grade (pardon the pun) for us. Went back to dealer, road tested the Avenger R/T and WOW! Hot damn! Now thats what Im talking about. After the usual haggling etc. we got a great price (and trade in) on a Stone White 3.5 HO V6. Have driven it for four days now and I LOVE THIS CAR! and Ive had many in my life.