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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  The ES! - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By zinger69 - June 15 - 1:29 pm

  I have owned this car for 5 years now. It had 50,000 miles on it when I bought it. It now has over 150,000 miles on it as of today. I have had to replace a few things here and there, radiator, thermostat, ball joints, but the exterior and interior are still in great shape and the engine is still purring. I will drive it till it dies.

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  Exhale please - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Andrew - June 15 - 12:24 am

  Wow, I cant believe how much power and performance for the price. I traded in my wifes 07 Caliber R/T AWD for our 08 SRT4. We just wanted a stick and I cant believe what a great car we got. fantastic power, great handling and comfortable. Wish all cars had this power and performance! Just might have to get myself one now! Yup Ill take red.

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  This Car Attracts Criminals - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Antonio Solomon - June 14 - 8:30 pm

  I like my 08 Charger, but the car has been broken into too many times. The locking mechanism on these cars is very easy for criminals to manipulate. It is unfortunate that the manufacturers put this locking mechanism on the market. I stopped leaving things in the car after it was broken into for the first time in 2012. Here it is 2016 and the car is still being broken into. I am disheartened by the fact that my car was broken into on MLK day.

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  Hot and fun car to drive - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By INFERNO - June 14 - 9:08 am

  I just bought this car brand new excellent performance, ride, and comfort and nicely priced for a brand new car. You will not be disappointed.

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  hate it - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By sid - June 14 - 2:04 am

  Dont ever buy one. I have 14,500 miles on it and the four wheel drive binds up when turning. Not sharp at any time. Transmission slips a lot. Sways on freeway. leather seats hard

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  Never a problem - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By hardrock086 - June 13 - 11:35 am

  I bought this car about a year ago and have put 30,000 miles on it since I purchased. I got it with 35k and the only maintenance Ive really had to do was oil changes. I also did plugs and wired at 60k and rear brake, but thats all. They didnt really have to be done, but did them anyway. Im a service technician and a BMW shop and I love my neon. Do want a little more pep, but cant complain about the get- up and go with this car, especially considering the 39 mpg I get on road trips. Simply love this car!

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  DODGE Dakota - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Ford lover - June 13 - 12:16 am

  Owned the truck 6 months, first dodge I ever bought. My dad talked me into buying it. I learned 2 things from this truck. 1. I will never buy a dodge and 2. when the check engine light comes on, its junk. Get rid of it. I have put more money into this truck than i did my 300.00 1988 ranger that has 300,000 Miles. I really do hate this truck.

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  Reliable, decent mileage - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Gregg - June 12 - 9:05 pm

  I bought my Dakota in November last year. Little would I know just how much I would enjoy the truck this winter with near record snowfall. It has been very reliable. Not one non-maintenance item needed for replacement. Only items replaced are the tires and the downstream O2 sensor. Other then that, not one issue. Gets about 18 mpg in the city. Can average in the low twenties with straight highway driving. Would definitely recommend this truck to someone who needs a small truck.

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  Race - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By moparman - June 12 - 3:30 pm

  I bought this car already torn down, i am using this car to race at a circle track. The car is completely stock no improvements. It is very fast (won the first and only race so far) I race against people who put 2 grand into the car with performance stuff i bought the car for $450 and have put about $250 into it but that is expected with a race car. Only thing Ive had to replace was rack and pinion and a starter(plugs and wires)

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  Not Happy With My Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Kelly - June 11 - 4:14 pm

  I have owned my vehicle for about a year and a half. I have had it into the shop 6 times. I have had 2 recalls and several other issues. I have had the vehicle recalled for stalling (after I had already experienced the stall, which could have caused a serious accident), as well as I had a cracked roof rail, panels came loose over the seat belt on passenger side, air conditioner quit working today at 26,000 miles, the rear inside light will only come on if you hit it (Dodge says its a manufacturing problem) loose carpet, loose console covering, seat had to be removed to fix the carpet, and, the stain resistant seats do not resist anything.