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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  Happy camper - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Robert Barker - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I had the Chrysler Sebring convertible and it was starting to cost me in repairs. Ilked the design of the Dodge Intrepid. It gives me the feel of a big car which In

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  dodge kicks ass - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By dodgewins4ever - May 28 - 2:00 am

  very powewrful very fast took a subaru wrx no prob nice smooth ride nice interior luv it

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  Better than a Minvan - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By SLG - May 28 - 2:00 am

  We are a minivan family and just purchased our first 03 SUV. Cannot wait to trade the minivan in for a second Durango. My husband and I fight over who will drive the truck and who will drive the minivan. Its roomy, sporty and drives and handles great!! The kids love the rear air and they actually sit without complaints during trips. Who can ask for better than that?

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  Rock - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By loploplop - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Ill stick with em till they die.

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  04 R/T - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By bc15 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  High trunk lid limits rear view when backing

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  Everything I thought and more - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By John - May 25 - 9:36 am

  Just got back from a 10 day 4,000 mi vacation. I could not be any happier, other than a little softer seats, but it is a sport ride suspension. In dash mpg usually a little high (1-2 mpg) but I want to say this, I drove this on the interstate at speeds around 85-90 mph and through the Rockies and I never got less than 25 mpg in the mountains (with plenty of power) 27-30 on the hwy. The c-pillar blind spot is a little bad also but I knew about that before I ordered this car. I plan on having this for a long time so after working for gm for 17 yrs. I will take the plastic over the vinyl, cloth or leather that either shrinks, gets stained, torn, falls apart or has to be maintained w/special cleaners.

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  Super all American car SUV - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By eli - May 25 - 4:30 am

  I loved this car before I bought! The minute I drove away I knew I was in a close to perfect car. The steering, the tires, the stereo, glow in the cup holders rock, the ice box, the room. What more can I say? The satellite radio, and the universal garage remote control rocks.

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  Awesome car, fun to drive - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By nyydynasty - May 23 - 11:20 pm

  Ive had my car for over a year now. Its so much fun to drive, and the gas mileage is pretty good for a turbo. I can get up to 300+ miles to a tank when on the highway (without boosting). Handling takes some time to get used to, but its not bad. Could be better, though. Performance is amazing, once you get past the wheel hop.

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  Hers mine ou ours? - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By awacsfe - May 22 - 2:00 am

  MY wife likes to think of this car as hers, becasue the Honda Accord we traded in for it was mostly driven by her. Unlike our Honda however, this car is FUN to drive. So every morning theres a little tug-of-war over who gets to drive the Stratus and who has to take our SUV. Its come down to a strategy of who park behind who and who leaves first in the morning. Its amazing how many late night trips to the video store and Wal-Mart this struggle has generated.

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  95 SLT 2500 conversion van - 1995 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Steve V. - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehicle that I have owned as far as repairs. The only thing that has ever gone wrong with this van are the general maint. things. Teh van has been all over the east coast with no problems. I ordered it with the 318 in case I ever wanted to tow anything with it. The van with the V-8 still gets 20 mpg over the road. I would highly recommend these vans as they comfortable nad fun to drive, and are a good vehicle for the money..