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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  Good at everything, master of none! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By 2KR/T - February 20 - 1:53 pm

  Ive owned this Durango for quite some time. Its given me no problems outside of regular maintenance. I tow occasionally and haul quite a bit of goods. Just passed 80,000miles and still going strong. I get 18.3mpg at 55mph and 16mpg at 65mph! Not bad for a beast thats rated at 12mpg city and 16mpg highway. Keep in mind the EPA, at the time, rated vehicles on the highway at 55mph! Only problem that is annoying is that in colder weather the mechanism inside the rear hatch that controls the lock rusts and sticks. I have to spray it with lube every few months. Takes about 20min, so its not too bad.

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  Bold Statement - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By J. L. Griffin - February 20 - 12:24 pm

  I purchased the 2007 Dodge Nitro in May of 2007 and love it! I gave the Nitro a 10 on everything but gas mileage. This is the first new vehicle that I have purchased and I could not be happier with my decision. I kept my 2000 BMW 323 Ci but drive the Nitro 90% of the time. Dodge has given the Nitro a bold design, inside and out. Excellent performance/handling and its so fun to drive. You wont be disapointed with this purchase!

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  Fast and Furious killer foundation - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By celsius - February 20 - 10:00 am

  The sole point of buying this car was to get the fastest stock vehicle for my money (limit $30,000). The looking started a couple of years ago, and covered the RSX, RSX Type-S, WRX, WRX STi, and the new Z. With 0-60 from 5.4 - 5.9, and 14 sec 1/4 mi @ 102, the SRT-4 blew everything else away in its price range ($19,500), let alone $10000 above. Now I can have the dealership install the future stage 3 Mopar kit which will take it over 400hp and it will still be under the 7yr/70,000 warranty. Warning: this car cruises at 100mph like it was 60, and doesnt even strain at 140. Rock on Dodge!

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  Big red truck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By suzanne webb - February 18 - 6:57 pm

  Very dependable. Lots of fun to drive. Great load capacity. Did not think I would like a truck but this one is great.

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  Not for the faint of heart - 2008 Dodge Viper
  By Jason - February 17 - 9:53 pm

  This is probably the most extreme car I have ever owned. The acceleration of this car is unbelievable, and the attention it receives rivals that of any other exotic car I have seen. The fuel economy average I have seen is about 13mpg, and getting into and out of the car is not very easy, but other than that, I dont see why this car could not be a daily driver. I will definitely have at least 12,000 miles a year on this car.

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  A great SUV - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By How-Buds - February 17 - 12:59 am

  Bought the truck with 15000 miles when she was exactly three years old! I have owned her for three years and eleven months. Truck has been awesome, only issue is the A/C unit is too small for the inside cab. The unit only holds 1.6 pounds of refrigerant. Other then that issue, I would buy again!

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  unacceptable - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Lee - February 16 - 11:26 am

  This van has been a problem since birth, the plastic on the second row seats fell off, poor design. The tpms for the tires has needed to be replaced. The fuel milage is not what was promised but close. the vent system is not working properly aswell as there is incrediable heat in the drivers compartment all summer, need to turn on ac just to keep heat out. Headlights needed to be replaced high beam was useless

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  a true owner - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By donovan - February 16 - 4:23 am

  This is a great looking car. Awesome performance.

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  Love this Nitro - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Keith - February 15 - 8:20 pm

  Ive only had mine four days but Im in love with this vehicle. Initially was looking at other comparable SUVs and didnt even consider the Nitro until I saw one and then thats all I wanted. I have the inferno red and its loaded with everything from the sunroof to the 20" chrome wheels and better suspension which are an option on the SLT. I love the very dark tinted windows in the back half. Its been a head turner so far and think I made a very good choice. Cant comment on gas as Im still on my first tank but it drives great and has decent power. Outstanding price for what you get.

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  Love my Mopar - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Love MOPAR - February 15 - 2:08 pm

  We bought this with 23,000 miles and now it has 96,000, and I must say I love my Mopar. Its true gas mileage needs a lot of work. But hey... it holds all 5 kids and the wife. It pulls the boat like there isnt anything behind it. Had the sterio replaced along with the speakers, and now we rock out, driving down the road. This truck has never left us stranded. There was never a time I would wonder if shed start. Very reliable, 318 power plant cant be beat. Gone across country 3 times on a whims notice, never once had any issue. Set the cruise control to 85 and eased down the road, though we stopped several times for gasoline. I will drive her til she cant go anymore.