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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  monster muscle - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By schase - August 15 - 5:56 pm

  This car offers an exciting drive. Interior looks like a more modern car but has space similar to the old models.

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  Value Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By R. Guimond - August 15 - 11:20 am

  We bought the base Magnum back in July 05 when my wife totaled her PT Cruiser. This car is a great driving car and we get 24MPG overall with the 2.7 liter engine. Mileage is very comparable to the many small SUVs we were looking at before we decided to buy our Magnum. The 2.7L engine is lively and responsive and weve experienced no problems mechanically.

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  Great vheicle - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Rich1 - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Rides great, no problems

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  Used car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By silkynjoe - August 14 - 6:40 pm

  Not real happy right now with car problems two issues so far less than month. I love the style. Or should I say the teens in neighborhood love it. Already real nervous. Have learned a lot of people have problems with bushing going out right away.$200 total for parts only. Water pump already going out. Would love manual. Oil came up to over flow already that makes me nervous. Used 4ways first time made blinkers stop working. Found out bad wire on battery so its fixed. Would I buy another one. Dont know too many people complaining already never ckd out details before buying

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  2001 Durango 4x4 SLT+ - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By 2001 Durango - August 14 - 4:32 pm

  This vehicle has been a great family car, plenty of power, comfortable, and very fun to drive. My work car was a Durango which convinced us to buy one for the family. Have taken it on long trips and to the snow where the 4x4 came in handy. Have routinely serviced which Im sure is why we have never had a break down or any serious mechanical problems.

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  I want another one! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Bill - August 14 - 3:10 pm

  Bought this car used with 97k on the odometer. Wife wasnt sure about it until she drove it and fell in love with it like me. I was really surprised with the "snap" it has for a 2.7, it handles beautifully, and it gets pretty good mileage too (28.5 on a 500 mile round trip at 70mph). Only problems so far are alignment (front inner and outer ball joints already, need to do rears) and my wife wishes it had better lumbar support. Other than that we both love the styling and roominess and wish they werent discontinuing these cars. I am currently trying to talk my wife into another for me to drive!

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  i love my truck - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By chee wee - August 13 - 11:42 pm

  i bought my 95 sport extd cab with 219,xxx on it from a good friend of mine who had owned it for 8 years and for its age and miles it is a great truck i have had it for 2 1/2 months and have put 5,000 on her so far and the only problem i have had is the master cylinder just went out oh well it cost me $50 to replace since i have had the truck it has not let me down the 3.9 has pulled everything i have put in it and behind it on my 14 ft double axle trailer has good power and rides pretty good for a small truck although i plan on beefing up the suspension and putting some bigger tires on the 215/75/15 aint good enough for me

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  Thought I liked it - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Amanda - August 13 - 10:40 am

  I liked this car at first. But I wish I would have bought something different. Its been an okay car, but when it shifts into different gears, you can literally feel the whole car shift as it is not very smooth. Also, recently I had to take it in because the back strut went bad and they said when they hoisted the car up on the lift it was so rusted that it had disconnected from the car itself. My brother-in-law who is a very honest car repairman said he didnt feel safe driving that "tin can" around. Also, its shocks arent very good compared to my husbands Ford Taurus.

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  Honey, Can I drive it now???? - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By drummerboy - August 12 - 10:53 pm

  We replaced a 1995 BMW 525i with our RT. My wife couldnt bring herself to calling it a "Dodge" after owning a BMW. Now I cant get her out of it. She wont let me have it. Performance rivals my 95 Trans Am with LT1. Incredible ride, handling, power and the best stereo Ive ever heard in a car. Comments from people never stop.Get the HEMI. Worth every penny.

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  Love my RaiderMobile - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By DaveG - August 12 - 12:55 pm

  I have had nothing but good luck with my truck. Shes never broken down and always taken me wherever I asked her to go, Ill keep this truck forever!