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:

• 

  Great Truck! - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By alex - August 26 - 9:25 pm

  Ive had my Dakota since it was new, and I love it. Ive also customized it so that makes it more fun to drive. Subs, 20" wheels, cold air, flowmaster, you know the whole package. I go big, LOL. I always get compliments on the looks and it drives well. Power can be added though. Even with cold air intake and flowmaster, still have issues. Nonetheless, great truck!

• 

  Driving Customers Away! - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Blair L. Ritchie - August 26 - 5:43 am

  I have owned two minivans. The first a 96 and now this one. Dodge/Chrysler will never see one penny from me ever again! Both vehicles I owned from them have required repair for items that are clearly a result of poor design. The 96 had the well known transmission problems that so many experienced and now my 02 is having front end problems (sway bar, pwr steering). I can understand that vehicles will have problems. However, why they will never see my money again is that they do not admit to an obvious problem and then stand behind it in terms of repair. It is actually insulting to be treated by a company as if mine is the only one showing these issues yet others share similar stories.

• 

  I love my Challenger - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Janie - August 25 - 2:06 pm

  Ive only had my red Dodge Challenger for 2 weeks but it is a blast. I wanted the fuel economy (25 mpg) of a 6 cyl so didnt go for the V8. But I have not been disappointed. It has the most comfortable leather seat Ive ever sat in and boy does it get the looks. The stereo is great and the retro dash is a joy to look at. I just love it!

• 

  Id recommend this for large families - 2001 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By ihavealargevan - August 25 - 2:03 pm

  Bought my van used, and have been happy with it since day one. Only problem Ive had to repair has been a battery cable. Its a tight squeeze in some parking structures, but I have not had any troubles driving it despite its large size.

• 

  My baby - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By cynthia boiler - August 25 - 6:16 am

  This car has a smooth ride, and is very responsive to quick turns. Passing is effortless, having the power when you need it. The gas mileage great when driving sensible. I took trip from FL to IN and back, and had a great ride, very comfortable . It definitely turns heads. People stop me when getting in or out of it and want to look inside. I have had more people intrested in this vehicle than any other I have owned.

• 

  Great Economy Crossover - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Drew from Nebraska - August 25 - 4:46 am

  Studying to be a mechanical engineer, it took me about 1.5 years to finally find a car that would "pass the test." My wife has a 60 mile commute to work every day so we needed something safe with good gas mileage. Thats why we bought the Caliber. She wanted an SUV, but I didnt want the maintenance associated with 4 wheel drive.

• 

  Gas Mileage - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Pep - August 24 - 8:22 pm

  This has been one great truck. Never been in the shop except for tires and rotation.

• 

  I love my Caravan !! - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By CathyF - August 24 - 7:28 pm

  Bought this vehicle new 8 years ago, kept up on oil changes, never had any major problems with it. Babies are all grown up now and I am "downsizing" to a smaller vehicle. This is a excellent family vehicle, especially for long trips. I would highly recommend this vehicle for large families. Gas mileage was okay, keeping up on tire rotation, tune-ups and oil changes helps.

• 

  German Design wins out - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By 007 - August 24 - 4:49 pm

  When I first drove it I had already decided not to like it due to my experience with my last Dodge Police car (1982).But the exterior design is so outstanding. When I drove it it felt like my Mercedes, but has the speed of an American muscle car. Its tight, solid fast, and built. It had a mileage problem, but that was taken care of with an air induction system. 3 mpg pickup and 20 extra hp, plus it sounds good! And the transmission is outstanding. Made in Germany! I have had 6 back and neck surgeries, and these are the only adjustable seats I found that make driving a pleasure. Mines solid black and I tinted the Windows legally black. Wow. Ive got an American muscle car in a Mercedes body!

• 

  Limited with a HEMI? Hooray! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By popologuy - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the Durango Limited with the HEMI: Hooray! I drove a Ford Explorer XLT and a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo: neither car matches up to this SUV. The older Ford (1999) was bumpy like a truck, no third row seat, but had great storage capacity. The Jeep was so narrow that we could barely fit two full-sized people in the back seat with the child safety seat in the middle. And a tiny trunk area: two golf bags at the most and the clubs only just fit between the wheels. But this Durango? Excellent! The ride is great, the power is awesome, theres a comfortable third row and I can take my most chubby friends and relatives anywhere with the kids car seat between them! Great SUV!