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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  Still in Love after 18 months. - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Steve - September 3 - 4:01 pm

  I have been driving my SRT8 Charger everyday for over a year now and I am still in love with this car. I am retired and do not have to drive, but if I look at my car I want to take it for a ride. The gas prices stopped that desire for a while so I learned how to drive the speed limit. The car is still jumpy as ever and if not for the brake dust, and the fact that the Goodyear RSAs lasted a good year/18 months, I would have no complaints.

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  Never Will Buy Another Dodge - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By ngris_09 - September 2 - 10:03 pm

  This car has given me more problems than ever. Within the 1st year, the transmission has blown up twice, the cam seals have broke, and lets not forget the door handles have broke as well. I have the stock rims and regular tires and this car keeps getting stuck in the snow. The sunroof is starting to break as well. This car is just falling apart and I havent done a thing to it! I could understand it doing this if i drove it like I stole it but its been adult driven and it still is doing this. Dodge didnt even make the engine, Mitsubishi did. The engine size is pathetic and its not even a manual. I will never buy a dodge again.

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  What a fun car to drive. - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By maryannhelgeson - September 2 - 9:38 am

  Wherever I go, my Challenger gets attention. People ask to take pictures of it, can they drive it, etc. The Challenger is a fun car to drive and handles great. The fuel mileage isnt bad either. Way to go Dodge

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  R/T review - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By PA R/T Owner - September 2 - 7:55 am

  Ive had my Inferno Red R/T for about 2 months now and for the most part I am pleased. I love the exterior looks and the torque on the 4.0L V6 is awesome. I live in a very hilly part of Pennsylvania so gas mileage is not the greatest. I average about 13- 14 mpg/city. Also the build quality is a little sub par. Since I have had the vehicle the transmission has leaked, the rear door and hatch panels rattle like crazy with music and the roof rails needed to be replace. End the end. I really love this car. Chrysler just needs to do a better job with their quality control.

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  08 Caliber SRT-4 - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Spark - August 31 - 9:00 pm

  I just recently purchased my caliber and all I can say is this little machine is a blast to drive and gets great gas mileage to boot. Within two days of owning the car I was already up to 27 mpg. the car has great styling in my opinion as well as handles very well for a fwd car, and she gets up and moves just fine. With a few simple bolt on MOPAR performance parts the fun and fuel economy will increase. If someone asked me if I had to do it all again would I still buy the car, my answer would be yes. Great job by Chrysler with this little machine. Well thought out and built in my opinion.

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  01 DGC EX - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Masterpaul1 - August 31 - 5:36 pm

  We bought our van used in Sep. 03 with only 37K. It has been very reliable for us with only two non maintainence minor issues. Right after purchase, both front power window regulators and motors had to be replaced. Weve had some suspension work done at around 55K. Both covered under warrenty. So far, we have had to replace a gas cap, battery, and soon both rear cargo door gas lifters from being to weak to lift the cargo door in cold weather by automatic. (Will open manually with no problem). Right now we get about 16 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. This was a good choice for us and am very pleased with our purchase.

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  Will not buy another - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Jose - August 31 - 3:14 pm

  Fun car to drive but is expensive to maintain after 40,000 miles. Fans go out and transmission has problems. Things that you should not have problems with at this mileage are failing. I had a 95 Chevy Impala SS that did not cost as much to maintain and I kept it until 125,000 miles. If looking to buy just remember it is a "DODGE".

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  b-4 you whine and cry, learn the cvt. - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By kevin ayrault - August 31 - 12:33 pm

  At first, after driving old school automatics and sticks, the torque converter type tranny was a bit to get used to. After driving the car awhile and learning the characteristics of the tranny, I have found that I can get really good fuel mileage and the smooth transition through the powerband is really impressive. Also, where I live its very hilly, Im talking 8-9% grades and the power is more than adequate and going downhill the tranny almost acts like a jake brake that the big rigs have. What road noise? awd is great for traction and handling. car looks like a "mini magnum," really cool.

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  6 Speed Transmission Shitfts Early - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Scotty - August 30 - 8:07 pm

  After owning my Dodge Avenger R/T AWD for only 1076 miles (no payments made yet!) my transmission has begun shifting way to early causing a tranny chatter. For example between 40 and 50 miles an hour the transmission has already shifted into 6th gear. Grrr. Instead of down-shifting the tranny "chatters" and shakes. I truly love the car and hope the dealership can repair it quickly without problems. Waited my whole life to buy "new" and its going into the shop before the first payment is due!

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  Nothing but Problems!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Tampa Buyer - August 30 - 7:06 am

  I purchased my 2009 Dodge Journey in Sept of 2008, and have had nothing but problems with it!! Even though I love the design of the car, the QUALITY STINKS!! I had to have my Rack and Pinion Power Steering replaced THREE TIMES, which would have qualified it as a LEMON, but decided to give it another chance after the dealership FINALLY FIXED it! NOW my BRAKES have gone bad already after only 25K miles!! What the heck do they cover for the so called "bumper to bumper" warranty coverage. By advice - DONT BUY THIS CAR!!