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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  Charger SRT 8 - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Rick Wilmeth - October 7 - 1:03 pm

  I have owned the car for just three weeks and so far it is fantastic. The ride is good for a performance car and the performance is excellent. I had a 69 Hemi Charger and this car is far superior in most respects. I have an on board performance computer and the car has run 0-60 in 4.8 sec and the 1/4 mile in 12.9 sec. It is a great value for the price.

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  Lovin it - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Matt - October 7 - 8:20 am

  Picked up my Black SXT about a month ago. So far I love everything about it, from the looks, to the ride, to the performance. Ive had a few service station guys ask me to pop the hood so they could look and Ive just got the V6.

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  Lots of Fun - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SXT4ME - October 7 - 2:00 am

  First Grand Caravan purchase was in 1996 new. Then Expedition EB SUV. Now back to Grand Caravan. 3 kids age 6, 8, 10 makes quick easy access. All Pwr. doors and liftgate easy to use and safe too. Can park in garage now without worry of 2nd car getting dinged up from kids opening doors to wide. Test drove the 04 Sienna but were sticker shocked at nearly $7,000 higher price. Bought the Grand Caravan and used the $7,000 savings on a 7 night family disney cruise to the Carribean. We got it all!

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  Rock it AND Roll it - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Silencer79 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my car. I will definitely stick with Dodge...it has left a good flavor. I am only 21 but I know a good ride...and this is it.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Josh Thompson - October 7 - 2:00 am

  My Dodge Dakota has been a pleasure to own. The ride and handling is excellent. I have put on over 10000 miles in the 7 months I have owned this vehicle and have no complaints other than the fuel consumption, but buying a 4WD, 4.7L V8 you have to expect not to get the best fuel economy. I live in Chesapeake, VA and drive 19 miles to work in heavy traffic and I get on average 17 miles to the gallon.

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  The SUV to have - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Tondoboy - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the one to have if youre looking for a V8 power engine. I suggest to get the HEMI, gas mileage is not so bad, just little difference on 4.7 V8. Overall, fun to drive and husky looking, an SUV to have.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By ADBell - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had this truck for 18 months and I love it. I have taken it off-road to some very remote places and it aleays gets me there and back. It is very comfortable and the reliable 4.7L V8 has tons of power, not to mention it sounds wonderful. There is plenty of room to haul passengers too.

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  What I think - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Robbie - October 4 - 6:40 am

  First off I love this vehicle! It feels much sturdier than the 2007 we had. Love the power tailgate too. The stow and go seating is great. Now for the bad. The seat belt seems shorter than the one on my old van. I can connect, but it is tight across me if I go to the 24 hr banker, etc. The passenger side is fine. I dont want an extender (never needed one before), just a longer seat belt!

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  Best Value on Highway - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Hpedigo - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought this "03" Sport off lease for $16,000 with 13,000 miles on it. Have driven it over 12,000 trouble free miles in 7 months. Average 20-21 mpg in a 60/40 city hwy mix. Looked at Oddesys and Siennas but they are way too pricey. Honda has too much road noise and cant get good features on the Toyota with buying items you may not want. Build quality and reliability for these Caravans has really improved in past 4-5 years. I highly recommend them!

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  2004 Stratus - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Jeffrew - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for a year and I love it as much today as I did when I saw it. Its a nice-looking car with excellent performance. I highly recommned this car.