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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  Piece Of Junk - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Phil M - May 17 - 9:17 pm

  This car was great for the first 38,000 miles, then the trans had to be rebuilt. Then at 40,000 mile the trans locked up and was replaced with a brand new one. Two weeks later the new trans had to be rebuilt! The car kept clunking and jerking, they found the drive shaft was bad so they replaced it. Then a strange noise appeared, sounded like a bad crankshaft, but found it was in the trans, so its being rebuilt again. All this in 4,000 miles. Whats really sad is that Chrysler could care less! I would never buy one of there products again! They know these transmissions are no good but they just keep using them.

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  Dodge intepid es (3.2 Liter engine) - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By LOVDODGE - May 17 - 2:43 pm

  I love this car it is a great car although I have spend a lot lot of money to maintain the car like tires, battery, starter, timing belt, oil pump etc. But I hope my car last me a long time I just love this car and also it seems that its different from other es Intrepids most say 2.7 liter mine is 3.2. Does any one else have one that is the same please let me no. If you can do that on this site.

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  charger srt-8 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By junior_racer - May 17 - 11:15 am

  A friends father of mine purchased a 08 srt-8 charger and this friend drove it for a while. Finally, I had got the chance to ride in the car. I was so excited. I knew it had loads of power and torque. This car is amazing. Dodge, great job on this vehicle. The power and torque are a perfect match for this car and when the pedal is put to the metal, your back is glued to the seat with a twist, leaving a pleasant smile on your face when your thrill is finally over. Dodge, great job. Two thumbs up!

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  More time in shop - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By hammerdrop64 - May 16 - 10:02 pm

  About 15 days after I bought this car, the check engine light came on. I had to replace the EGR valve. Four days after that, I had to change the valve cover gaskets, it was leaking oil on the exhaust manifold. Two weeks after that was the worst problem, a bent valve. It would stick at times. I didnt wont to spend the money to have the heads reworked. Also, Dodge seems to have cheap plastics, especially on interior parts. I had this car about six weeks. I sold it for $800, I wont get another one.

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  Mixed Review - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Brandi - May 16 - 8:56 pm

  I have been a dodge fan for over 10 years. This car has been great on the since that it has more room, and I can deal with the gas mileage. I had a noise every time I turned left, they fixed it, and I had vibrating in the dash, they fixed that the second time. But now my brakes are completely gone on the driver side. There is no way that should happen at this many miles. Chrysler said they would pay for the labor, well I guess that is something. If I have to go back in another year or after 26000 more miles because the brakes are gone, we are going to have major problems.

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  Good truck for the money...4.7liter v-8 - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By just another driver - May 16 - 3:43 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with 17,000 miles on it when I purchased it. At 19,000 the fuel pump went out, but the truck was covered under warranty, and they fixed it right away. For all around performance and features I can say it exceeded my expectations. The only gripe I have is the city driving w/ the 4.7 liter fuel mileage isnt all that great, but highway mileage is awesome! Im fortunate to get 14 mpg city. Power is awesome and theres no lack at all in that category. I have over 30,000 miles on it now, and it has done well for me. I did experience a small problem w/ the door open sensor but they fixed it right away, I can only say good things about the dealership I purchased it from.

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  Absolutely a must NOT buy - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Allen - May 15 - 7:06 pm

  I purchased, much to my present chagrin, a 2008 Dodge Caliber SXT. And I must say, I hate it. I bought it because I got it cheap and needed to get out of my 97 Tahoe, but Id of rather bought a used Gremlin now. First off: no anti lock brakes, thats an optional extra. But you do get a chintzy glove box that cools drinks (when the AC is on) and illuminated cup holders. Really? Thats my consolation, I get an icebox in a car and some lights instead of anti-lock brakes? Second: the engine and transmission fail me all the time. Apparently some former SUV owners like them here on the reviews, but real car people are used to better than this. The engine has no drive, and the transmission whine...

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  357 MAG - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Steve - May 15 - 5:06 pm

  Bought this Magnum in 2004 when they first came out. I wish I had waited for the SRT AWD. But this wagon can go down the road and leave the rest behind.

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  Love This Vehicle - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By PD - May 15 - 4:29 pm

  Never had a problem with my Durango, but did have to have a brake job at 30,000. Change the oil every 3,000 miles and keep it garaged. MPG is 12, wish it were better, but I still love my Durango. I feel safe in it. Had a bad front end crash with it a few years ago (other vehicle slid into my lane) and came out with no injuries. When the truck hit, it hid solid. Maybe I just got lucky.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Dan - May 15 - 2:02 pm

  Great truck with great reliability and power. Very fun to drive with great handling, only downfall is fuel economy. I get around 12 to 13 mpg, but other than that this is a great truck. I drove a standard cab Dakota 2wd 3.9 L V6 than upgraded to this 4wd 2 dr ext cab with a 4.7 L V8 and love it. Does very well in the snow too.