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 car - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By kay - February 25 - 6:11 pm

  I purchased this car in 98 when it had 3000 mi on it. It is currently 2008 and I now have 81000. This has been a great, reliable car! I cant say enough about the car. I have never had any mechanical issues and have always kept up with routine maintenance. The car is still peppy when accelerating, gets good gas mileage, and the exterior style turns heads. Not many of these cars around, but after 11 years, it still turns heads!

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  Not Complaining - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Paul Bondy - February 25 - 12:10 pm

  I previously owned a 98 Plymouth Voyager Expresso, just like a grand only shorty, had 140,000 km when I bought it used it as a service van with ladder racks loaded with equipment and ran all over N.A. till I quit contracting, ( around 210,00km) just changed the oil, great. converted back to a family vehicle 2 years ago and ran it up to 268,00 km 2 weeks ago, only put tires on it, brake job and one rear window motor used $40. Its been great 2 weeks ago finally blew a water pump $89 new, 2 hrs labor, big deal! 1 serp belt $40 total cost bought used at 5000 tires 400 brakes 400 water pump 89 serp belt 40 window motor 40 Grand total $5969.00 Canadian Great Van! Just Bought 2001 Grand Love it!

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  Love the Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By garbroo - February 25 - 9:53 am

  What a pleasure to drive. This baby just wants to run, and if you let it the fun doubles. Great handling and the ride is superb. After driving a 2001 Intrepid RT driving this is more that double the fun.

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  Not Good, But Not Bad - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By SBF - February 25 - 2:23 am

  Bought the truck used, had 52k on it. Comfortable ride, good looks, and compliments from a lot of people. Really like this design, the 04 and up look too square and bulky. Interior is designed well. Gas mileage is normal for a 5.9L V8 about 15-17 mpg on the highway. Disappointed that the water pump went out at 59k. Cruise control is acting up too, but nothing I cant fix. With gas prices soaring and seeming to never quit, will consider a crossover for a next SUV, no reason to have a V8 powered SUV, dont do any towing and the its the wifes daily driver.

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  Belt problems - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hahaharry - February 25 - 2:00 am

  5 year owner with 81,000 miles. Youre lucky to get 30k on the brakes. Ive had 4 serpentine and 3 ac belts replaced along with 3 belt tensioners ($220 job). Belt problems every 12 months. The battery goes about a year and a half. I worried about the amount of tranny problems others have had so I made sure I got the dealer to service it ($80)at every 30k and it seems fine. It has started to consume about a qt of oil every 4000 miles. The paint was wearing off in locations that the sliding door rubber stopper would hit when opened. Rust on the sliding door track from the door bearing. The headlight lens has a cloudy film on the outside.

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  I love my Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By bignchuy - February 24 - 11:25 am

  I absolutely love the SUV. Fun to drive, comfortable for my legs. Ive been looking for an SUV with comfort for about a year and this is the car for anyone with a problem with leg room for the driver

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  And They Quit Making Them - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By pmedic - February 23 - 10:20 am

  I have throughly enjoyed this car. I added a K&N FIPK and Magnaflow mufflers and have been completely satisfied. I cant believe that Dodge quit making them. Im trying to find a 2008. Wake up Dodge, no wonder you are having problems. MPG is not bad, I can get 26 MPG if I keep my foot out of it. It has a good carrying capacity and also looks good. They have no other vehicle that can compete on this level. If I cant get a 2008 I only know that my next vehicle will not be a Dodge. Get one if you can an enjoy both worlds.

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  I like it but could use improvememnts. - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Tex - February 22 - 12:56 am

  Overall, I like the Journey. It is kinda small but it is for us and one child. The DVD player keeps the kid entertained and was well worth it. The interior lighting is nice (LEDs are nice). Drives great. Dont like the cheap chrome hubcaps (wheel covers) on the exterior of the R/T. But otherwise is very nice on the exterior.

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  Best SUV ever - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Best Ever - February 21 - 7:31 pm

  This suv is the best SUV I have ever owned. I have driven a Chevy Suburban, Jeep Liberty and other sedans. Those were good, but this Durango has an extrememly smooth drive, powerful engine (without hemi), comfortable seats and good sound system. I love that the back doors open so wide which makes for easy storage and entrance. I have never had a single problem with this vehicle. A month after I bought the durango, my wife drove it and she bought one! Good to travel in and has great pick up. Also great in the Cleveland snow! Love it!

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  VLT Transmission problems - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By willie Hodess - February 21 - 11:39 am

  Driving and comfort not an issue, the caravan performs. Its the transmission thats driving me crazy. When slowing down the tranny is trying to downshift 2nd to 1st is a real pain. The clunking or grabbing is a real nuisance. Whats worse is Wellington motors is denying that Chrysler had issues with this tranny and still is selling these vans. Chrysler Canada aside from trying to give me $50 gift certs.keeps telling me their engineers are looking into it. I have been told that the fix would be there early Aug.2007 that was moved out to the end of Sept to the new year and now I havent heard from anyone.