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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  head turner - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By michael 69 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  i have people point and stop what there doing when ever i drive this auto in this small mid west town,i ordered this dodge it took 4 months to get it

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  Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Bridget and John - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This vechicle is a pleasure to drive and ride in. My husband and I truely love the room and the feel of this car. We are able to use this car to travel in and have the room we need to haul 3 grand sons in and around. The looks we get when we drive the magnum are unbeleiveable. I think the black color is the best out of all the colors. The special feature of the car going into a 4 cylindar at around 50 miles per hour give you a great gas milage for a hemi. We just love it and you will to if you give it a chance. We were an Intrepid owner since 1993 and owned 7 of them, so to go to the magnum was a big step for us but a very great one.

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  Love my car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By SL Beckes - January 26 - 7:36 am

  One day in Feb 05 my car saved my life while driving in snow. An 18 wheeler drove me off the road. I went off and back on the road where I believe many other cars would have crashed. I love this car.

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  A real multi purpose vehicle - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bdgilhooly - January 24 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased our Caravan soon after our daughter was born, used, with almost 14,000 miles and have loved every bit of it. I traded in a Dakota, and it can do more than my truck did. The two back seats roll out, and the volume is tremendous. On the highway, I average 28 mpg., with the 3.3 liter. My sister has a popular SUV, and her interior space is MUCH more limited, in a vehicle that gets much poorer gas mileage!!?? Long after I don’t need a kid mover, I’ll still have a Caravan because of it’s usefulness.

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  Dodge Durango SXT 4WD - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Craig Mayberry - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Perfect SUV not huge but plenty of ground clearance. Very quick and stable even my 115lb wife likes to drive it. Very roomy inside. Actually a tough four wheel drive truck with a large back end. This is not a just a tall car that you really wouldnt drive over boulders with. My grandkids always want to take the "shorcut" through the desert its like an amusement park ride.

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  Amazing! - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Traci - January 20 - 11:20 am

  I absolutely love my Durango! My husband had a MINI for about 4 months, and every time I drove that then got into my Durango I fell in love all over again! Reliable, and oh so comfortable. I wouldnt trade it in on anything. The only snafu was my steering wheel started to peel after about a year, but a new one was ordered without a problem. I love the sunroof. There is plenty of room for all 6 of us, yet its cozy enough when Im driving alone. A friend has a Suburban, and I dont find that nearly as roomy or comfortable...and the Durango is much more attractive!

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  Best in the Market - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Al - January 15 - 5:12 pm

  The most quiet, comfortable of the minivans, excellent brakes and power, and best of all, stow and go seating. it is the best

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  Excellent Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Adam - January 13 - 11:24 pm

  I have had this truck since it was brand new. It has been an excellent truck and hasnt given me any problems other than the ball joints, which were easily replaced.

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  Love our mini van - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Downhill97 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The van is all we could ask for and more. It is very comfortable with plenty of storage space. When the rear seats are out its off to Home Depot where I can store a 4x12 sheet of plywood flat.

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  Cool ride - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Dodgehauler - January 12 - 4:30 pm

  This car is a kick to own. It rides , handles and goes like no other wagon I have ever driven. Great traction control with the all wheel drive system. Works fantasitic in the snow. Tons of leg room both front and back. The steering wheel telescopes in and out but also tilts, combined with the power seats and pedals, its very easy to get a good driving position or change it on a long drive. We are getting 18 mpg around town and 24 on the highway. Not bad for 345 h.p. under your right foot. The look of the car is very deceptive. Looks like a chopped top but Dodge raised the window openings up . Friends and famliy who have been in the car cant belive the room it has inside.