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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  As fun to drive as my 70 Roadrunner - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Virgil F. Bowers, Jr - June 5 - 1:13 pm

  Ive never drove a car through the Smokies that I did not have to use the brakes coming down the mountain. It handled great. I could keep right with the a BMW driven by a young person. The Charger is a great car to just drive. Gas mileage on highway 24.9mpg city 17mpg. If you want a quick car and dont want to spend $50,000, buy one.

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  Perfect P/U! - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By flyboy1 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Watched Dakota for 10 years, waiting for AWD option. Got 4.7 SLT ExCab w/ all bells & whistles + HD suspension pack, AWD/full Time 4WD, 3.92 diff., as soon as it hit lot. Use to haul 1500# slide-in over cab pop-up camper sized for Dak. in western US in all types wx and terrain w/o a single problem! Hauls more than standard F150 or Chev 1500 + easily parks in my garage(which full size truck wont). 17mpg @70- 80mph w/o load 12 with. GREAT TRUCK!

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  Charger R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By TB - June 4 - 6:26 am

  This is my daily driver, and I run between 1,000 to 2,000 miles a month. The car drive like a dream, plenty of power in all speeds and handles well. I love this beast!

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  Purchased New In 97 - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Akbar - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1998 Dodge Stratus new. Had 2.0 eng and 5 spd. Car had head gasket changed once. At 94,000 had to changed clutch cable. Washer on end toward engine broke. Only part I had to changed that wasnt a wear and tear item. At 123,000 changed wheel bearings (front) and lower control arm drivers side at 168,000. Car now has a small oil leak at oil sensor. Dealership price is only 13.60 for new one. Will get changed soon. Did not change spark plugs and wires until car began to miss at just under 150,000. Purchased replacements from dealership! Car only got below 30 mpg just before changing plugs & wires. Usually gets between 32 to 37 MPG! Great car!

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  Love my Magnum! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Sabrina - June 3 - 7:40 pm

  When the Magnum was released it was a true dream car that was affordable for me. The looks, roominess and sticker price drew me in. This sporty wagon is head and shoulders above my old 96 Intrepid. Interior is clean looking, the console is very practical and once driving the car you can feel the Mercedesness coming through, which I like! The engine compartment is very tidy and everything a consumer needs to access is easy to find. Passengers in the backseat will enjoy the roominess and the back window goes all the way down! Im satisfied with the 3.5L engines performance and the 4-wheel disc breaks do a great job of stopping this heavy car! A true value in todays market.

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  Love Dodge - GREAT minivan - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By wilsker - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Long trips smooth ride convenient for whole family. comfortable for whole family. Versatile with stow and go seats.

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  Excellent - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Great Vehicle - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car for over a year I bought it used with lots of milage so I thought Id need a warranty. Bad news is I wasted my money on that extended warranty. Good news is this car is awesome it is a great everyday driver. I love driving it. Unlike everyone else I have not experienced a high pitched noise.

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  I love my Intrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By marcia mccoy - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 bought new. I love the way car drives and is very comfortable. I am short and i do not have a blind spot problem at all, IT FITS ME TO A T . To bad they are not making them for 2005 or I would get another one.

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  FUN AND POWERFULL TRUCK - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By STEVE d - June 2 - 2:00 am

  GREAT TRUCK PULLS STRONG, IS FAST WITH THE 4.7 V8 ,18 MPG LOOKS REAL COOL AND IS THE BEST TRUCK iVE EVER OWNED....FORD SUCKS

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  dodge neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By maryehill - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I have realy enjoyed my dodge neon. It has been a very good car for a wonderful price. There are only two things I would change about it: the car needs a bigger gas tank and the interior of the car need to be changed.