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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  Great Usage - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By tlc872 - September 14 - 10:55 pm

  I have had my Durango for 4 years and it has not given me any problems. I find that the space is great for transporting my big family, and has not complaints.

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  Fast, Fun, Gorgeous and Very Comfortable - 2012 Dodge Charger
  By hemi_for_me - September 14 - 11:01 am

  Although I never would have bought a Chrysler product in the past, the 2011 Charger redesign is amazing. Its beautiful, fun, blazingly fast, quiet and extremely comfortable. I only wish they would have had the 8 speed automatic available for 2011. The extra gas milage from the 8 speed would have been greatly appreciated. Otherwise, absolutely love this car. Cant believe I bought a dodge! Audio system and navigation are good, however some of the applications are not compatible with the iphone (like reading text messages). Also, I wish the doors would automatically lock on exiting the vehicle. The passive unlock system works well, but you still have to lock the doors when you exit.

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  2nd time around - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By momscar12 - September 12 - 6:23 am

  First off, I started out with a 2011 Express model mid-July. 1 month later I was rear ended in a collision. So, after seeing what the car did and the safety features the Durango offers, I got another one. Second time around I could only get the 2012 - there are just a few changes from the two models. So far I love it again. Its a great car to drive, comfortable, luxiourious even in the "base" model, very roomy but not too big, and makes for a cool mom or dad kid-hauler. The vehicle handles very well for the size and has a lot of "get up and go" with the V-6 engine. Real road hwy experience: if you drive the speed limit and use cruise control, you can get into the high 20s in gas mileage!

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  Best SUV under $40,000 - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By rockinroller - September 11 - 3:57 pm

  The Nitros appearance creates a response much like the Dodge Ram pickup when it first came out: You either LOVE it or HATE it. I happened to embrace the rugged square "jaw" of the Nitro and having had some driving experience with the original 2007 RT version which featured a very energetic 4.0 liter engine (vs. the horribly anemic 3.7 liter thats found in the Jeep), I was pleasantly impressed. This rugged yet refined truck-like SUV conquers most snowy roads that Ive experienced in Michigan, plus affords a reasonable cost to drive based on 20mpg in mixed city/freeway driving. Lots of storage and creature comforts too. Could have used more than 2 cup holders in front though.

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  Best new generation muscle car - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By gmtruckman - September 8 - 7:30 pm

  Fantastic in every way. I have the track pack option with the 6 speed and larger rear differential. I ordered the car from dodge in 2008 and have had it for three years with only two tiny issues which are not even the fault of the vehicle. The keyless entry button had a short and the rt logo had the paint peel off on the grill. Otherwise awesome on gas for a v8and very comfortable...even room for cars seats for the kids. The shift linkage on the tremec is sloppy but I put in the hurst linkage and makes it good.

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  Great SUV - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By write_erase - September 2 - 1:40 pm

  We wanted to replace my wife’s 07 Lexus RX with a bigger vehicle so she test drove a 2012 Explorer and then the 2012 Durango. I went with her on the Durango test drive only so I cannot compare it to the Explorer, but I was totally impressed with the Durango after seeing how good it looks and driving it. It handles much better than our Lexus with hardly any body lean at all. I was so impressed that I did not see the need to test drive anything else. My wife liked the Durango better than the Explorer because of how it drove, the 2nd and 3rd row seat space was better, and the technology/controls are easier to use. For example the navigation in the Durango is a Garmin unit that is really easy to use, she said the Explorer navigation system seemed like it was going to be a lot more complicated and she might need to take a class to learn how to use the touch system. We did not want to get leather in this vehicle yet we were able to get a ton of other features. Most other brands make you buy their leather package to get push-button start, 2 driver position presets, rain sensing wipers, upgraded stereo, etc. I think a Honda I bought one time I had to buy their leather package just to get a sunroof. We got all these things and did not have to buy leather that we were not interested in. The base stereo in the Crew is a 9 speaker Alpine system with a 500 Watt amp. This is the base stereo and is not an extra charge, I was totally surprised to learn this when I saw the Alpine amp in the back. We also got the navigation which I think added a 40GB hard drive to store music on. I have never owned a Chrysler or Dodge vehicle in my life but this seemed like a really easy choice for both me and my wife after looking at the Durango up close.

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  New Citadel 5.7 Hemi Review - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By invicta - August 25 - 10:41 pm

  Pleasantly surprised. I had really wanted to get an Audi Q7 but the third row is unusable for anyone over 5 ft tall so my wife vetoed the Q7. We test drove the Enclave and Acadia, then finally the Durango Citadel. The Citadel handling is excellent and has some German qualities to it, it should since Mercedes is using the same platform! Interior materials are a huge upgrade from previous Dodge products I have seen, not quite Audi quality, but probably 90% there. The third row has room for life sized adults, I sat it in it and fit fine - and I am 6ft 1. The touch screen nav is easy to operate, bang for the buck with the Citadel is excellent in my opinion.

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  Went back to Dodge - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By jp384 - August 24 - 1:31 am

  After sinking large amounts of money into a Pacifica we traded it for the charger. Its everything I hoped it would be. Got it used so it needs the 60k service soon (at 58k now) but checked out on Carfaxs and we got the go ahead from our mechanic, along with an extend warranty. Handles better then my old Intrepid and much better then the v6 3 ton Pacifica. Best drive on highway 101 Ive ever had, and I know I have the power to pass if needed, along with fantastic brakes to stop. No knocks, trany problems or electrical problems but I dont hot rod it or floor it all the time. Very responsive and forgiving at the same time. If you buy used, take it to the mechanic first.

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  Possible Hemi Issue - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By david59wv - August 23 - 7:52 pm

  I love the way the car drives and handles. I am concerned over the 5.7L Hemi because when it goes into the fuel economy mode and running on 4 cylinders the car constantly has to switch 4 cylinders. This in turn gives the sensation the car has a dead miss. I have taken to dealership and they told me they all run like this so get used to it. I called the factory to discuss and possibly file a complaint but the factory rep was virtually rude. He informed me unless the dealership complained there was nothing he was going to do about it. I would advise anyone considering a purchase with a hemi engine to beware. If not resolved, will go back to GM product.

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  Intrepid---241,000 miles-- - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By joyce27 - August 8 - 6:21 am

  Well, I have decided after driving my 2001 Intrepid for 241,00 miles, it warranted a review for consumers. I did not have any mechanical issues with the car until it reached the 170,000 mark. I have always maintained the normal with the required oil changes, etc. At the 100,000 mark...one of the cooling fans quit working..timing built, alternater replaced,...I loved my Intrepids solid performance and was not ready to purchase a different automobile, decided to make the necessary mechanical repairs. To my pleasant surprise my Intrepid is reached 241,000 miles!!!