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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  2005 Grand Caravan SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Joe Colavito - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The ride is smooth yet firm. The vehicle has adequate power and the drivers seat is roomy and comfortable. The various controls are easily accessible and the gauges are easy to read. It is a pleasure to own and drive this vehicle.

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  Feels Like a $50,000 car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Jim Nash - August 24 - 4:36 am

  A friend who knows fine cars said that the Hemi-RT feels like a $50,000 car even though my Charger is the $30,000 Charger RT with the fancy red paint as its only option. Every morning turning the key to bring the Hemi V8 to life makes me smile and the power drivers seat and with the lether as well as the multi adjustable wheel and Boston Acustic 6 speaker sound system make this car a very good value at its price point. The Charger feels solid as a bank vault and the attention that this car gets at the store or buying gas makes me feel sort of like a rock star. The 340 HP Hemi will get an honest 24 MPG on the highway if you let it. Bottom line I cant wait for my next drive!

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  Great American Vehicle - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By D_GC_Owner - August 23 - 6:26 pm

  This is my third Dodge GC (93, 00, 06). Each one has improved over the last. Stow away seating is great, as are electric doors. The rear seats however had to be sized down to be able to store effectively. The cushion in the front seat lacks substance and the edge folds in occasionally as one enters the vehicle. Power is good, fuel economy was as expected-20mpg on average. Added sound absorption adds to the quiet ride ove the 00. The overall ride has improved. The instrumentation is clear. The 4-way flashers are activated whenever the side doors are opened as a safety feature.

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  Very stylish Car. Everyone Comments - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By ShellyG - August 23 - 10:58 am

  I just recently bought this car...and loved it from the start. Test drove it 3xs before I bought it. The first reason was the style and the second was the AWD option, plus this car is loaded unlike some others I looked at. I agree maybe the console material could be better, but other than that I have no complaints. I get so many comments on this car, better than I ever did on the 05 Mustang I owned, though I dont get the great gas mileage my 07 Sonota did, but its not terrible.

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  Dons Review - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Don - August 23 - 1:51 am

  I bought this car with almost 120,000 miles and it drives pretty decent. Ive turned several heads with the cars already stylish exterior, with just a few simple mods. First the cars door molding was shaved to give it the clean look then I painted my calipers and after market black headlights. After some modifications regarding appearance, I then bought a intake and exhaust system and now Im up to about 225 hp. You can definitely feel the power and I especially love the improved 0-60 time.

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  1999 Still running - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By northern375 - August 22 - 5:55 pm

  I bought a used 1999 Dodge Caravan. It has 167,000 miles on it, a V-6 3.0 I payed $ 2405.00 out the door. I have spent around $600, but that was for 2 tires, a tune up the normal stuff. Past that I like it. Seats 7.

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  Wind buffeting - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By P Marshall - August 22 - 4:15 pm

  We noticed that when the rear windows are open at speeds over 35 mph, the vehicle steering column, doors vibrate & shake. Called the dealership & was told its a design flaw, cant fix, and that at highways speed the passenger compartment fills with turbulent air causing a "parachute" like response which lifts the rear of the vehicle making it unstable to drive at highway speeds. The only fix available is to keep the windows closed. Are you kidding me? At the price we paid I should be able to open any window I like and still have a safe vehicle to drive. Piece of junk. Also, pops out of reverse every 10th drive or so. Nice.

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  Best Vehicle Ive owned ! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ray - August 21 - 7:43 pm

  Plenty of power and gas mileage is where I expected it to be. Ride, I feel is rather stiff. Style and the looks I get are great! I love that autostick shift, WOW what a down shift that is. It will set you back in the seat! LOVE IT!!

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  50k miles of awesome - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By 50 k miles SE - August 21 - 8:09 am

  1 year ago when I first bought my 2007 Charger SE, used with 18k miles on it, I was driving 100 miles a day. Now its been 50k miles. I have loved driving it for every minute. My one complaint: I think Ive started to hear a tiny squeak in the passenger compartment. Its the bare-bones model with the 2.7 L engine, so I get fantastic gas mileage. The only repairs have been the front wheels and suspension after a blow-out.

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  2008 STX dodge Caliber 2.0L 4door - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By william - August 21 - 7:59 am

  This car is most impressive, I mean the most impressive from all the others I/we have driven. Toyota yaris/Ford Focus/Chevy hhr thing/and what I had owned the Chevy aveo. Overall driving experience exceeds what one would expect from a car of this size (pleasure) simply put. Heres what to expect, a little less mpg. This is reality because the calibers overall body design and weight. (this is not a bean wagon folks), its quiet comfort ready to explore. The 2.0 L 4 cyl dual vvt has no apparent concerns if you have to rely on the old lead foot to get where you need. I am also impressed with the transmission design and functions. Over- all "very pleased"!