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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  Great SUV if maintained - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By ralph kennedy - February 17 - 11:43 pm

  Not produced anymore. This SUV was built on a Liberty Chassis. I have 160k on it and the front end needed prop shafts at about 125k. I think the SUV is comparable with most others in its class. I also put both front struts in and upper control arms. I feel this is normal for the mileage. So if you are buying and older Nitro have a mechanic check the front end.

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  06 Charger Daytona Go-Man-Go #996 of 4k - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By tracey lehfeld - February 17 - 10:00 pm

  My wife and I purchased this car 3 months to the day and it has been the best car we ever had. It is a lot quicker than our 03 Mustang GT we traded in. A lot more comfortable as well. We get a lot of stares going down the street because of the color. The 5.7 Hemi is very good, dependable, and quick as well as the 5spd autostick. It handles like a sportscar,and the fact it has independent rear suspension, that was a big plus. The interior is very nice and roomy lots of space for the passengers in back. It doesnt have that plastic smell that most interiors have either. The trunk is exceptionally large and the fact the rear seats fold down is a plus. This will be a car to last a long time.

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  Pretty cool - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By superd - February 17 - 9:03 pm

  I got my Nitro 2 weeks ago yesterday, and have to say its much better than I thought it would be. I get more looks in this truck than people get in more expensive SUVs, and its fun to drive.

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  All Go & Cannot Stop - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By C. Stueve - February 14 - 11:29 pm

  This is my second Dakota in the last 3 years. I looked at the new Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon & passed up both, along with my GM Employee discount for another Dakota. For my kids & hobbies I could not do without the 4 doors.

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  Great first car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Josh B - February 14 - 1:30 pm

  A great first car. Good looking, friends love it. I got the stick shift and its a blast to drive. Handles great, except not in the rain so much, and it tends to get stuck a lot on large piles of snow. Easy to modify, I added a tachometer, foglights, and remote control locks. Great pickup and very fast, I beat my friends Saab 900 in a couple of races. All in all a great car, cheap to maintain. Ive put 12000 miles on it in the last 8 months (which brings it to 96000 miles) and havent had to do anything to it other than change the spark plugs. Id definitely buy another one.

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  Love this car - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Paulamoore8 - February 12 - 5:37 pm

  I love it. For the price I paid I think I got a lot of fun car for the money. If anyone is looking for peppy little car, try this one. I have teenage boys that love it too. The biggest gripe I have is it is somewhat difficult to get in and out of, but once I am in its a blast. I get a lot of second looks

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  Best SUV Ive owned - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By mrcsbrow - February 11 - 10:46 pm

  I used to own a 2002 Ford Explorer. What a useless vehicle. Not only would it not pull my boat I couldnt put anything in the back at all. The new Durango can fit anything from a sheet of plywood to 2 weeks worth of vacation luggage. Not only that but it pulls my boat like nothing is behind it. The fuel mileage is as good as it was on my Explorer and I have more torque and horsepower. Great Job Dodge. Youve earned my business for years to come. Keep up the good work.

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  best new affordable car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By diane - February 11 - 2:03 pm

  We bought our first new car. This car has plenty of room for our family. It is great on gas. The car is sporty lookiing and handles great. If you are looking for a nice looking car, buy this one. You wont regret it

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  Loads O fun - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By ml - February 11 - 1:03 pm

  I have the car with the 250 HP V-6 and it has ample power particularly considering the gas mileage. The car handles well and I have yet to make the tires chirp on a clover leaf even at 60 MPH. I think it is one of the best cars I have ever had. The ride is great and I have driven it for fairly long distances with no driver fatigue or sore spots. The leather seats with heaters are great. The car ride is smooth and quiet. I would reccommend this car to any one.

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  Cant ask much more - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Minnesota bound - February 11 - 8:03 am

  I bought a lease return with 22,000 miles on it. It drives and looks like a new vehicle. I had some concerns about gas mileage, but I get about 18 in town and almost 25 on the highway and thats with the 3.8L. It has plenty of power for almost every situation. The handling has been very good on both dry and wet roads. I havent driven it in the snow yet. The interior, gauges, and controls seem well thought out. The Stow-n-Go seating is miles above my old Aerostars with its 80 lb seats. This has the premium sound system and its as good as my home stereo. I researched this vehicle before buying it and it has had no problems. Im quite impressed so far.