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:

• 

  Turning against me - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By genxp - April 18 - 11:41 am

  I bought this new, paid off and still driving it, has about 200,000 clicks to it. Most trouble Ive had with it are emergency brake locking my rear wheel, once. Brakes locking on cylinder when parked for extended period, a week, while on vacations. Recently replace power steering hose and sway bar. Most trouble is with brakes. Replaced timing belt, power steering, tires, and still enjoy owning it. First time new also recall having trouble with rain pooling on the rear passenger floor. Trouble was

• 

  my new caliber - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By dee - April 17 - 11:06 pm

  I like my caliber very much. Lots of room in the front, back has as much room as larger cars. Firm secure ride-- takes bumps well, seats are comfortable, and sit high. great gas mileage, good pick-up. Would buy this car again-no problem.

• 

  Awesome car - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Love my dodge - April 17 - 5:13 pm

  My dad got the car with 20K miles on it when it was 2 years old. and not a single scratch or dent. We never had any problems besides the O2 sensor went out. We took this car to Denver from Twinfalls, Idaho. and to Portland Oregon several times. Now that it has 110K miles on it I own it now and the power, looks, reliability, and Gas mileage is awesome. This car with the 3.8 gives most V8s a run for their money. Even after my mom wrecked it its still been an awesome car i have put 22,000 mi on it and had to replace the rear brakes thats all!

• 

  Poor mileage - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By WWALKER - April 17 - 10:46 am

  You can actually see the fuel gauge move in this vehicle. I have owned vehicles in most all styles & from all different car companies over the past 40+ years. Up until I got this nitro with the 3.7 v-6, I have always loved Chrysler products. I was even a loyal Chrysler man back in the 1970s/ when "build quality" was just a word in the dictionary at Chrysler. Overall I am unhappy w/ this vehicle. I should have gotten the hemi, as it could not drink any more gas than this 3.7 does. This vehicle get the worse fuel economy of any of any vehicle that I have ever owned or driven. The 3.7 is also low on power, if you intend to make a pass, you better plan ahead & allow lots of room.

• 

  Yeah its got a Hemi.. - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Hemis-Rock - April 17 - 1:04 am

  I searched high and low for a car that met all my expectations for 7 months, when finally the Daytona Spec charger made eyes with me. It was love at first drive. Performance is blistering on the straights. The car needs wider wheels/tires at least at the back because the torque when gunned is overwhelming for the stock set up. Interior materials are average American at best, but this is not why I purchased the car. The mighty 5.7 V8 Hemi is a heart stopper, the feeling of unequal ecstasy and exhilaration when this bad boy is revving high is what legends are made of. Go out and buy one now!

• 

  Dont Bother - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By Matt - April 16 - 7:44 pm

  This is by far the worst truck Ive ever driven. The 4.7 V-8 is a joke, it has no power and gets horrible mpg. The best mileage Ive seen is 15 mpg highway empty, if I tow even a small trailer it gets 9 mpg. Toyota and Nissans V-6 have better power and mpg. Not to mention that its been in the shop 6 times in less than 2 years, 4 times for tranny issues, radio problems and cracked exhaust manifold. Stay as far away as possible from Dodge products they are complete garbage across the board.I should know I rent them daily basis or should I say send them to the shop daily. Thankfully this is a company truck and I dont have to keep it for much longer.

• 

  Great lil mid-size - 1994 Dodge Spirit
  By Edwin - April 16 - 3:38 pm

  i bought this car for $300 from a lady that could not afford to fix it. It had 205,000 miles on it and it would hardly run, luckily parts are easy to find and reasonably priced. this car as the 3.0L V-6 built by Mitsubishi, which is a very powerful and reliable engine. all problems have been fixed and this thing ROCKS. Plenty of room for anything, seats 5-6 people, big trunk for speakers, handles well for its size and even better with bigger wheels 16s-17s. stops well and accelerates well with the V-6

• 

  Face-lift for the American Auto Industry - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By ABauer03 - April 16 - 3:12 am

  The Dodge Challenger SRT8 is one of the sexiest new models on the market right now. It had an immediate impact from the time it was unveiled as a concept car in 2006 and continues to be one of the most anticipated cars of the year. Dodge needs to capitalize on the endless opportunities with this model and set the pace for reinventing the modern American muscle car. Dodge should play off two versions of this car. Have one "Big Baller" V8 model with an MSRP of just under $40,000 and a more affordable "Economized" version with a V6 at around $25,000. Dodge can capitalize on the SRT8 if they realize the popular demand for this car...

• 

  I waited a long time for this - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By ashlar90 - April 15 - 9:25 pm

  This is my mid life crazy vehicle. Growing up, girls werent supposed to have cars like these. So I bought my own at 52! It is the most perfect car I have ever driven. The seats are so comfortable they fit like soft gloves. I bought #505 of 1650. Yep, Daytona Orange, even the engine is orange.

• 

  Nicest Dodge Ive Ever Driven - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Ralph - April 14 - 7:25 pm

  I have never driven a 5 speed standard 318 before this truck. I have to say its got some jam. And the throttle response is great. The body has great flowing lines that are arrow dynamic, unlike the new Dakotas that seem square. If i ever decide to buy another truck, it is gonna be a Dakota.