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:

• 

  I thought i would hate it but i love it - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By evolanceroz - July 31 - 3:26 pm

  When my BMW broke down i had to get a new vehicle. I work for a VW dealership and a customer traded this durango in. This truck was immaculant for the miles. I was used to 30 mpg but always in a small car. This SUV is comfortable and very fun to drive. I have heard and saw all the horror stories about this truck. I will not be getting rid of this vehicle at all!!!

• 

  Love My 2011 Dodge Nitro - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By johnherrera305 - July 29 - 6:26 am

  Excellent value for mid-size SUV. I love my Bright Silver Nitro. Its stands out on the road. Comfortable vehicle. Plenty of room for my needs. Fun to drive.

• 

  AVENGER HEAT - 2011 Dodge Avenger
  By budley1 - July 26 - 8:10 pm

  I had one of the first road runners in Seattle. This car is just as fun as that was. I average 24mpg and have a heavy foot. After 3 months there is little I would change.

• 

  Great Vehicle! - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By brian178 - July 25 - 3:59 pm

  I cannot honestly find anything not to like about my 2011 Dodge Journey R/T. Styling is great. Even though its a CUV, it retains much of the muscle appeal of the Charger/Challenger. The interior is very well thought out. Touch screen works flawlessly and very fast. Tons of storage space. Third row is small, but when folded down there is ample space for gear while still maintaining room for 4 adults to fit comfortably. I have found the engine/transmission to be quick and quiet. Its no V-8 Hemi but it will move with some giddy-up when pushed. Ive had it up to over 100mph with two bikes on the roof, two passengers, the back full of gear, and it didnt hesitate getting there either.

• 

  2011 Charger W/Rallye Apperance Group - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By joshhumphrey - July 24 - 3:22 pm

  This car is awesome. I fell in love immediately it has everything you could want. The 20 wheels in the Rallye package will get you car noticed. Has a powerful v6 3.6 engine thats more than satisfying. Handling is great along with little road noise. The inside is very comfortable, but the back seats seem to have a little less space than previous years. The touch Screen is great along with the audio. A nice 4 door with style!

• 

  The Beast - 2011 Dodge Challenger
  By ramdeer98 - July 16 - 11:15 pm

  I have owned my 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 Hemi for a month now and I am TOTALLY pleased. The performance is great, push you back in the seat type, FAST FAST FAST!! Comfortable as all and handles fantastic. I have the gray w/black stripes, every where I go I am getting compliments! Boy did they get it right this time!!! I have taken down a couple of Mustangs and Camaros! Next weekend going to race track and get the true times. When planting the pedal down the sound and feel makes me feel like I am a teenager again... haha I can not say anything bad about it except for the gas guzzler tax. I am glad I waited a year for the 2011. Turn off the radio, open the windows and sunroof to listen!!

• 

  Update! - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By austinp - July 11 - 1:09 pm

  My Durango just hit 74000 miles today with no problems out of it. It is the best car we have ever owned. We just put running boards and new tires on it. The salesman who sold us the Durango was there trying to get us to trade it for a new 2011 Durango. Our Durango appraised very well but I dont really like the 2011 Durango. I have no complaints against my Durango, it has the best a/c Ive ever used. I will be keeping my Durango until it gives up!

• 

  I love my Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By patzeep - July 8 - 11:28 am

  I bought my Caliber used and have never had problems with it- and I am not a good car owner! I would buy another one in a heartbeat!

• 

  Rallye with Super Sport - Best Value - 2011 Dodge Challenger
  By amcmastertech - July 3 - 9:39 am

  I waited 3 years for the Pentastar and it was well-worth the patience. The engine delivers exceptionally smooth performance from idle all the way to redline. Combined with a cabin that is very quiet, youd almost think that the engine was turned-off while stopped at an intersection or light I asked the salesman if the car had some sort of "engine shutdown" feature during the initial test-drive. The big letdown is the 5-speed automatic, which lags badly when you need instant throttle response. Excellent engine, not-so-great gearbox. The Rallye Super Sport repsresents a good value with interior, suspension, steering, braking, and axle-ratio upgrades.

• 

  Very Impressed with Dodge - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By mwhitworth - June 30 - 12:45 pm

  Bought a white SE. Have the base model but still a very nice car. I have never owned a Dodge before until now. CanÂ’t believe how nice the inside is. The cloth seats are nice but a little firm. Might need to break them in a little. Powerful V6 and quiet when cruising in ecco mode. The car is Lexus quiet at 70 mph. Very solid car too over bumps. No cheap plastics inside like the previous models and has a nice solid feel inside with soft material throughout.