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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  SRT-4-All - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Billy-Joe Bob. - April 28 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, always leaves a smile on your face when you get into the throtte, the look on someones face when they just learned it wasnt a "neon" but a turbo charged monster from dodge.

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  Just DO NOT get the Nav System - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By mouseclick - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Overall excellent performance and value. Although, dont get the nav. Web site says its an option and dealer will sell to you. Only youll find out later it is not available yet from Dodge.

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  Unsafe to tow with - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By michaellrar - April 27 - 3:50 pm

  Purchased this truck a year before I purchased the travel trailer I was going to pull behind it. Only made one trip with 24 foot travel trailer before parking the truck. Traveled from Little Rock, AR to Pigeon Forge, TN and back summer of 2006. It was the white knuckled trip from hell. The transmission and engine acted up the whole time I was pulling the trailer. Truck is rated for 7050 lbs and my trailer was 4000 lbs dry and 5100 lbs wet and loaded. Took it to the dealer 4 times to get it repaired. Each time they said there is nothing they could do. The 2008 model has the same engine but it is beefed up with more HP and torque but same towing limits. Hummm!

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  First new SUV. - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Brad - April 27 - 9:02 am

  I got lucky and got this Nitro for a real deal ( last years model ) I found it to have more than enough power for all uses. Very nice looking handles well and goes great in the deep snow. It seems to be ok off road for the most part gut could use a little more clearance but still good. Love the folding seats, very sweet for visibility when driving alone or storage space. All around happy except it drinks gas like it owns the oil co. And mpg is not true, I get only 14 city miles to the gal. And if you like to be performance man it is a lot worse. Over all well built and a real eye catcher with the bright blue I have with all the chrome.

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  Avenger SXT - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Mike M. - April 27 - 12:36 am

  I am very pleased with my new Avenger SXT, The car is equipped with the standard 2.4L engine and is very economical. I gave my Avenger the ultimate test by buying it in the Motor City and driving it 2,000 miles home. With the speed control set at 65MPH, the car attained a high mileage of 39 MPG with an overall average of 36.5 MPG I was amazed at the great highway mileage. The car was quite comfortable for the trip. I am impressed with the styling. After owning a 99 Inrepid this car made a good alternative for a high mileage car. The lifetime drive train warranty is also impressive.

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  Generally good - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Alaskan - April 26 - 8:11 pm

  Our Intrepid has generally been reliable and fun. Pretty roomy. We live in the far north and yet, it has done well so far. I wish its electronics were more reliable and its headlights proper.

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  i love this car - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By dolfinfan - April 26 - 7:41 pm

  This car is awesome. I have lots of fun with the auto stick and its real sweet looking too!

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By InDaSRT4 - April 26 - 3:53 pm

  Fast, fun, and easily upgradable. The SRT4 has the potential to be a V8 eater. This aint yer Mommas Neon!

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  Great vehicle (bad dealer) - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By chris b - April 25 - 11:35 pm

  Bought a 2007 R/T from Bill Kay in Naperville (avoid them). As for the Nitro R/T, its a real head turner, w/ red paint and 20 wheels, it gets a lot of attention. The mileage isnt too bad. I ave 16 mpg, on regular gas, which isnt bad for an SUV that can tow up to 5000 lbs. The ride is firm, (Ridgeline, Envoy, and even FJ cruiser rode nicer), but it IS related to Jeep, so expect a truck ride. Performance out of 4.0 liter is almost as fast as my stock Prelude SH, which is admirable for a brick on wheels. Interior is a little on the cheap looking side, but it is clean and uncluttered. Wanted a Trailblazer SS, but this gets as many looks, lower priced, better on gas, and cheaper insurance

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  I love this car! - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By ktracy03 - April 25 - 10:26 pm

  I owned my stratus for 2 years, the ONLY reason I traded it is because my husband wanted a Charger, only because he would have done it for me, did I do this for him. I did absolutely love this car though, it was sharp looking, comfortable, and just "fit ME" like it was made for me. I highly recommend this car for reliability, comfort, looks, etc.