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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  Love my Intrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Tyran - August 14 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Handles and corners beautifully. 3.5 6 cylinder delivers great acceleration and performance. Mine has a spoiler which I think further enhances the body design. If I were able to change one thing it would be the inferior interior, should have more color options except the dull grey. Im not a leather fan.

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  An Awesome Ride - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Punchy - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth Dodge Caravan. It all just seems to get better and better. I recently took a trip to South Carolina and I noticed that as I broke the engine in the mileage kept creeping up. Upon my return to Texas I was getting 26.5 miles per gallon. Comfortable ride made my driving experience more enjoyable. When I stopped for the night, took two days to get back, I never felt "dead-dog" tired. I could have gone further, but I am not one to push it. The new features are right on. All in all the family really enjoys this vehicle. Dodge all the way!

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  I love it!!!!!!!!11 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By compyx86 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  WOW what can i say that has not aready been said.. it is fun to drive all kinds of power lots of room and good on gas all you could ever what to have in a pick up i looked at a lot of pickups before buying this one like the chevy colarodo it can not hold a candel next to my dakota i would recamend it to everone

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  2004 Dodge Dakota Sport Quad Cab V-8 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By 1st dodge - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new dodge. So far i am nothing but impressed. I have only put 550 miles on it, had it 3 days. I bought the V-8,had trucks with v-6 didnt like the power. Let me tell you i love the V-8 power, four full size doors and it looks awesome. Rides great on the highway, not much wind noise.The only thing i can see as a drawback to this truck is the gas mileage. First tank 12mpg. If this gets better i will be truly happy with my first dodge.

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  Station Wagon?? - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Rebel - August 11 - 8:53 am

  I never thought that I would own a station wagon. But the Magnum 2005 is not your average station wagon. This car has style, plenty of speed and pick up, even with the smallest engine. For me: Hemi = speeding tickets. I wanted the blue, however not in stock. Test drove the silver/grey and once I was behind the wheel, I did not care what color the outside was. Very low road noise, smooth handling, plenty of interior room and awesome body style, who really cares what color the exterior is as long as you can get one. My brother just drove mine for the first time and now he wants one.!!

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  Great Car For Us!! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By airportdave - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our fully loaded ES for over 5 years and we love it- roomy and comfortable and reliable. To date, the only major probelm has been the transmission control module, replaced under warranty at 20,000m. Replacing the OEM struts and upgrading to 235/55/17 tires/wheels made it handle even better.

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  GORGEOUS CAR! - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By CentrinoPM94087 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car and i fell in love with it im 17, the fact that this car is assembled by hand is the most beautiful thing about it, such elegance and perfection.

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  PERFECT - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By ok - August 9 - 4:50 pm

  I bought this car thinking I was getting a above average sedan, not knowing i was getting a head turning, comfortable, horse power blessed machine. Truly a work of art in a sedan

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  Great car, great price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Namdarb72 - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Im impressed with the car dodge has created for the incredible price. This car has the speed of its competitors for 10k less with the performance and styling to go with it. Mopar also offers great performance upgrade packages with the car and better than expected prices and better than expected hp increases. You cant beat the performance for the price.

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  2005 Dodge Magnum Hemi - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Chuc49 - August 9 - 10:00 am

  It is one of the nicest cars I have ever owned. The ride is smooth as silk and the Hemi supplies more than enough power for every driving situation. The fuel mileage is amazing for a performance vehicle. The seats are more comfortable than an easy chair and the numerous seat adjustments can be tailored to anyone. I would highly recommend this car to anyone seeking a luxury performance car with all the comforts found in higher priced luxury cars.