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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  Muscle truck - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By Jason - June 25 - 5:18 am

  Originally was going to get the 07 at the end of the year. But after hearing about the new V8 I waited. I was not disappointed, power is very good. MPG could be better but is OK at about 16.5 average. I like all the storage, but dash looks and feels like cheap hard plastic. Cab has a lot of wind noise, but with stereo on it is not noticeable. Ride is stiff and bouncy, very noticeable while going around a turn with bumps, feels like the back end is going to lose traction. I have the Sport and it should have been set up to look sportier like the Colorado with a lowered stance. Front seat only holds 2 people while my older model holds 3, 3 would be better. Stock rear tinted windows are dark.

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  Its the best vehicle - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Christopher Harringt - June 24 - 7:32 pm

  and a pleasure driving. The performance and power are great. However it uses too much fuel.

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  Closing In On 200,000 Miles - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Jallen - June 24 - 3:43 pm

  I am closing in on 200,000 miles and wanted to convey my satisfaction with this vehicle. Other than routine maintenance, the only significant repair expenditure was to replace 3 of the 4 power window motors. I average around 18 mpg and only notice diminished power when towing. It has been and is a great car.

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  SRT4 - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Adam - June 24 - 12:29 pm

  I purchased the srt4 as a daily commuter to replace my 05 civic. To my surprise the first trip I took in it I averaged 38 mpg. and I have a combined average of 26 mpg. I dont have anything negative other than the town I live in only have 91 octane. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for performance and economy if you can use both words in the same sentence.

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  Who knows what tomorrow will bring? - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By tigerlily - June 24 - 10:05 am

  I got this car as a gift my senior year and fell in love with it immediately. Ive replaced the O2 sensors and the water pump twice (within a 6 month period of time), and after year 1 everything electric on the interior has one-by-one stopped working the dome light only works if Im entering through the passenger door and the stereo will randomly turn on and off. Ive paid for a very pricey tune up, replacing just about everything and that seemed to help nothing, the belts still slip and theres a tap that no one can seem to figure out. Last year i developed a temperamental oil leak, comes and goes and most recently at 100K its leaking transmission fluid.

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  DO NOT EVER BUY ! - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Duhkneez - June 23 - 10:14 pm

  I thought buying a car only a year old with low mileage would be a good idea. Not at all. Ive had nothing but problems from day 1. The dealership and the car are awful. Ive had to bring it in the shop because my check engine light wont stay off. Ive had many parts replaced and now I cant pass my inspection. I will never buy anything but a Toyota, Honda or Nissan again. My old Nissan and Toyota, I bought older and with higher mileage and had no problems. Im stuck now cause Ive dumped so much money it.

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  Just like a 7 year married couple - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By niTroSSo - June 23 - 7:40 pm

  Just like a marriage after 7 years, it was love at first sight, she was beautiful, had a great body, gave your a rush when you came close to her, but she became fat and heavy and wasted all your dough and didnt do it for you anymore. Poor handling (sways side to side when going over small bumps), poorer gas mileage, interior has too much plastic. I. E. doors, dash, center console. Large blind spots invest in blind spot mirrors. Everything got a strange little delay to it, from honking the horn to acceleration/braking. Brake light burn out often. After two months the window switches stopped working. No power on flat out acceleration (dont try to jump in on the highway if you dont have room.

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  I Loved my STRATUS! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By emille772 - June 23 - 12:13 pm

  My 04 stratus was my baby. I bought her from a dealer that was a close family friend as my first real car. My stratus held up amazingly well! I really enjoyed driving it, and all of the room in the car and trunk area! I thought it got really good gas mileage usually 22/25, however when driving on the turnpike I got 32 mpg! I only had a few problems with it. One being that at around 100,000 miles I had to replace the transmission pan and my transmission fluid would leak. My car also stalled out on me once. I was in an accident and hit by a drink driver on the drivers side. I have to say this car held up wonderfully! I wasnt hurt, however my car was totaled!

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  Excellent - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Richard - June 23 - 6:44 am

  I plan on keeping my magnum to it just cant go anymore. I get excellent gas mileage (27 MPG on the highway). Thank God I didnt get the Hemi. :) I have over 86,000 miles on it with no major engine problems. I keep up on the maintenance. I love my car.

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  My new caliber - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By ray darcusio - June 22 - 4:33 pm

  I have only had my caliber a short time (1 week) but i love it. Driving it is great.