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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  QUIET AND COMFORTABLE - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By dwhite5123 - July 28 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT THE ORIGINAL STATUS IN 1985, NOW 8 YEARS LATER IT HAS EVOLVED INTO A VERY STYLISH, QUITE ROOMY VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND SHE LOVES THE STYLE OF THIS 2004 OVER THE 2003, THE CHANGE IN THE FRONT END HAS REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS BASICALLY THE SAME. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE CAR FOR ANY BUYER, NOT ONE JUST IN THIS PRICE RANGE

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  Yeah, its got a HEMI! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By zeroshampton - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 2 Chevy Tahoes and a Trailblazer in the past, but none of them can come close to the comfort, handling, performance, or price of my new Durango. I noticed that Edmunds website doesnt list the HEMI engine as an avilable option, but believe me, it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to performance.

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  Awesome Car - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By PooJesse - July 27 - 7:47 pm

  So first off, this car is awesome. I got a lot of looks in it. Put some dual exhaust on it, made it sound way cooler! A little boost in power as well. I was at work after hours and was doing donuts with it. No lack of power in the V6. :-D

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  Still Goin Strong - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By marki - July 27 - 12:45 pm

  Have now had my 2004 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, V8 for nearly 4 years. Still loving it. Its fun, reliable, comfortable, handy to haul stuff, plenty of power etc. I dont know why others complain about the fuel - I consistently get over 20mpg on the highway. Usually 22 mpg. My 2002 Dakota w/ the V6 did the same but it was dangerously gutless! I do yearly maintenance & have had no problems. (My 2002 Dakota V6 had several recalls & other issues!) I love this truck & will not get rid of him for a long, long time!

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  Avenger SXT 4 Cyld - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Roy - July 27 - 12:41 pm

  Ordered from factory, picked up in late January 08. Was working then avg 250 miles per week, job 22 highway (mostly)miles distant. Probably 90% HW driving and got 31.+ mpg sometimes 32.+. Came from a 2002 Chrysler 300M, big 6 to this 4 cyl. It does just fine. Good road handling and quiet at 70. A bit stiffer than the 300M, but that was expected. I really like the car and the several options I got with it.

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  Id buy another - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By texanbetty - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive been a GMC/Chevy person my whole life...This is my first Dodge. I have 25000 miles on it so far..I have had problems with it trying to stall, but took it in and the chip was replaced, then I had a problem with the front wheel berings which were replaced. The transmission could be a little tighter...Those are the only things that have gone wrong...I like the turning radis and the outside appearance...I think for the price its a really good truck...I didnt expect it to ride smoothly because its a TRUCK and a 4x4 at that...But I like the pick-up and the handling in traffic...and it fits in my garage..Im pretty satisfied with it and id buy another

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  No problems yet - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By staffer21 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I have had mine for about 6 months, it is a great ride and very enjoyable. My last car was a mustang, and this is a nice trade.

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  Miss my Town and Country - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By randy - July 26 - 11:23 pm

  What a piece of junk. Brakes already replaced twice in less than 2 years, replaced all coolant hoses as they have rotted out. Gas mileage only 18 in city, and if we are real careful 22 on highway. Noisy and uncomfortable ride, cup holders a pain to adjust in front. We have said many times going from the Town and Country to this is like going from a Cadillac to a Chevette. Cant wait to get rid of it. Never again Dodge, or should I say "Dodge it."

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  Love the Car Hate theTransmission Leaks - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Barb - July 26 - 7:40 pm

  Over all I love the look and handling of this car. Plenty of room for the grandkids and all their toys, etc. On the highway gets decent gas mileage however, the intown mileage stinks. The price you pay for the HEMI. Main concern is the transmission leaks and the wheel alignments. Weve had it to the dealership twice for both issues and were assured that the problem was fixed 5 months later we have another transmission leak and it already feels like the front end is out of alignment. (We just purchased new tires before the last alignment)Tires are very expensive for this car and they are already showing significant wear without a lot of miles on them.

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  Terrible Reliable Car - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By lori - July 26 - 5:33 pm

  I have put $1690.00 in my 1999 Avenger, the ball joints has been horrible, the axle and control arms has went out, and I would not buy another one. The body is great and very sporty but the parts are out of this world in cost! Good Luck to anyone that owns one.