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:

• 

  Dodge transmission problems - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodge van dies again - July 13 - 8:33 pm

  Bought this van used with 35K, run as a second car till October 07. replaced tranny in march 07 with 61k. under warranty (rebuilt transmission). Tranny goes down again last week with 102K. Dodge wont warranty this rebuilt tranny more than 36K because it was worked on in March, In may they warranty for 80K. Im looking at $3400 for replacement tranny. The warranty dept. (in India) is telling me tough luck, NYC Chrysler dealer tells me the same( thats where it blew). My sister-in laws T&C is on its 2nd tranny too ( same vintage). Got rust on hood and rear quarter panels, Chrysler wont recover because their not rusted through! Come on Chrysler stand by your products!

• 

  Love my van - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Davie - July 13 - 4:23 pm

  This van has it all. Ive read many people say that the 3.3 is "underpowered" but I dont get it. Are these guys racing? Racing in a minivan? I recently took my family camping in the mountains and had the thing loaded to the gills, and was able to drive to the campground just fine. Above all else, the Stow n Go is the best seating option for my family. I love it! (as an aside, I wonder if Edmunds plans on updating their review of this van with another van in the future. It looks to me like all of their problems were with one van that was probably made on a Firday. Seems harsh not to reccomend a product based on a sampleing of one)

• 

  Bad On Gas but Really Hauls (Fast) - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By rad dad - July 12 - 10:00 am

  My Magnum RT RWD is a keeper. People stop, point, talk, stare and roll down windows, they ask "What is it? or "Love your car". It is thumbs up everywhere. Manual trans is a blast - winding roads or freeway. Huge inside for towing or guests. Stero rocks. Satelite radio is fantastic. U connect is the best and safe and really works! Love the car, but ran out of gas twice already by not watching the gauge. It goes and goes fast and is expensive to keep filled and prices are not going down. Dealers are demanding $5K-$10K over MSRP and not budging in negotiations so far.

• 

  I Love My Dodge Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By ambrosh - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This is perhaps my favorite new car, I lease a new one every 3 years. It has an enormous amount of power and drives like a luxury car.Everywhere I go I get oohs and ahhs.

• 

  Guiddie Up!!!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Tricia Kaiser - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I never thought I would have so much fun driving a car before. This car has not just Get Up and Go, its got GUIDDIE UP AND GO!!!!! I purchased the V-8 Hemi. Gas Mileage is not so good, but I knew what I was getting myself in to. The car is not an every day driver, but when she comes out of the Garage all she wants to do is run. The Handling around corners and curves is great, the "pick up" when you take off is incredible, and the room inside is amazing. It does not look like there is that much room in this car, but you can fit 5 Adults in there, and no problems. I recommend this car to anyone who has the self control to keep it under 100 mph. Have a great ride, WE DO!!!!

• 

  MAGNUM-RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By duplex - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR-RIDES AS GOOD AS MY LINCOLN TOWN CAR(99)DID BUT WITH MORE ROOM & A LOT MORE OMPFFF GOOD SOUND SYSTEM & REAL GOOD HANDLING ON CURVES

• 

  test - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By princeofmoon - July 12 - 10:00 am

  the car handels wonderful, you can feel that the car is actuali an german one, if you have the money by the car because the style is perfect

• 

  hemi RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By garboe1 - July 12 - 10:00 am

  very nice styling...great power...just fun to drive...everyone looks at it, because of its great looks...18 mph is the average with 5000 miles driven so far. i have the dark grey so it does blend in to traffic well, and it is a great match, with the grey interior.the navagation system works so well, and is easy to use I use it all the time

• 

  Best Large SUV on the market today - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By bluespruce - July 12 - 10:00 am

  After thorough research, I ended up purchasing a fully loaded Durango 4X4 Limited listing at over $41,000 and paying under $32,400 excluding taxes. The vehicle looks great, rides better than my Lexus car, accelerates well and the 335 hp Hemi engine cannot be beat. Interior styling and ride are better than any GM vehicle today including the Tahoe and Surburban. The Ford Expedition is dated and too big. GMCs Denali interior is cheap looking and the Toyota 4Runner was an additional $5,000 for only a 5 passenger vehicle. Mercedes Benz has done wonders to the ride comfort and quality of the Dodge line of trucks. My hat is off to them, a former Ford man from Dallas.....

• 

  A grand Grand Caravan - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By sjmiller - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Were very pleased with the features and functionality of this new Dodge van. The 3.8L engine performs very well, its powerful and gets good mileage. The interior is silent, the stereo/CD/audio quality is great, the Stow-N-Go seats and other features are well thought out and handy.