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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  Should Consider another Manufacturer - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Never Again - October 5 - 8:55 am

  I bought this vehicle at the end of 2005 when they were running the model year clearance. I had some negitive equity from another vehicle so the $6000 in rebates was great, however the depreciation on this vehicle is horribly. It nearly halved in value is first year. I am now two years into a 3 year lease and i am being offered my lease payout as my trade in value. I also have about 33,000 miles on the vehicle and both fron seat base cowlings are cracked near seatbelt attachments, the vehicle has stalled several times for no reason, the motor has a clicking lifter, and my fuel mileage keeps getting worse. Beware of the oh so good looking deal. Think twice before you buy.

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  Rebate kills trade in - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Rebate kills tradein - July 16 - 2:09 pm

  The truck is pragmatic for large families. Handling, agility, speed etc etc is all comporable to its competition. The Hemi would be the only outstanding characteristic above other trucks of its class. I have owned two and have a family of 5 so, I know and appreciate the value the Durango, but objectively, there is nothing spectacular for consumer reviews. If you like the the cosmetics and are planning to keep it for the life of the loan, then you will get your moneys worth. If you like to trade every two years you will be disappointed with ground truth trade in value of this depreciating asset.

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  Dont buy the V6! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By RKK - July 1 - 9:46 am

  Sluggish with the V6. 2nd gear is too tall. No torque below 3,000 rpm. Desperately needs a 5-spd auto, not 4! The steering is too much on-center. If theres a groove in the road, the Magnum will find it.

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  So-So SUV Wannabe - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By joey - June 17 - 10:23 pm

  The engine is "complaining" all the time. noisy & rough. it keeps searching for gears once at a higher speed. rattles like diesel. the ride is so soft that when cornering it tilts and sways. the rpm stays at 3000 rpm all the time. so I doubt about the gas savings as it is a high-revving engine now its mated to a bigger and heavier body

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  LEAKING SUNROOF - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jmie2 - June 13 - 9:39 pm

  My factory installed sunroof has leaked from the beginning and now AFTER 5 times in the shop for 42 days, Chrysler has taken the position I dont clean the drainage system properly and will not do anything. The new design allows water to leak around sunroof and be directed away by a drainage system. WELL when it allows water it ALSO ALLOWS dirt, pollen and maybe tree sap in which clogs the drains VERY QUICKLY (my last incident was only 52 days and I had 1 1/2" of water in my center console) i have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica with a sunroof parked in same driveway as van and it has never leaked - WHY does this need so much maintaince - EASY POOR DESIGN but Chrysler will not take responsibility

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  Worst car I ever bought - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By TMCC - June 5 - 5:56 pm

  I bought this car in may of 2008, i came home with it and it had to go back to get the DVD installed, which ended up being a huge issue because no one at the dealership was trained on how to work it, same with the MYGIG. then we get it back the air bag light came on, then we were back in the shop for another 6 weeks until they could figure out the problem, now at 19k miles the brakes an rotors have to be replaced, the dealership said that every 9k this is happening...calle the useless folks at Dodge headquarters, they advise that this is normal wear and tear...also there is smoke that comes out from under the hood, which i have been told is brake dust, and that my car is safe to drive...

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  Initial Quality Nightmare - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By capt insano - May 20 - 2:43 am

  Car has been to the dealer twice for two days each and needs to go back again. Car was not aligned at the factory. Multiple squeaks and rattles. Had a warped interior panel replaced. Windshield squirters didnt work. Car has stalled twice. Sirius radio goes out under bridges. No good place to put your right knee. Windows fog easily. Engine sound quality is poor. Bought it because Im a DCX employee that needed a car than day. I will pursue lemon law if issues persist.

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  Nothing but problems - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Nick M - May 8 - 11:48 pm

  Ive had to replace the a/c condenser, radiator, Ive gone through 3 batteries, the alternator just quit out on me, the shifter cable broke a week ago. Ive had to tow this thing 3-4 times. Ive owned the vehicle since January 2014. 2.5+ years, Ive put 55k miles on it and it has been nothing but problems. The engine cover that is underneath constantly gets stuck on things and needs replacement. Im about to have to replace it for the 2nd time. The engine shakes constantly. It has real trouble switching gears. The electrical issues are enormous. I know 2 other people that own the same model and constantly have issues with it. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!

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  Piece of Junk! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Piece of Junk! - April 24 - 9:48 am

  When I first bought this SUV I loved it, then came all the problems. Last year I had to put new engine in. Now Im having problems with the oxgyen sensors. I have gone through at least 2 of them already! Im finding nothing but more and more problems. I do not recommend this SUV!!

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  Dodge the Dodge - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tom - April 20 - 2:10 pm

  This van has been nothing but problems from day 1. Starting with Entertainment system as we drove off the lot. Then the brakes after 5,000 miles and 8,000; 12,000; 17,000 and so on plus a shimmy and squeak from the front rotors. DVD got stuck in the play and took a week to have removed and repaired with kids upset. Last straw security issues and now it wont start and waiting to hear what they are going to do about that.