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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  Sporty Family Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Paul L - October 18 - 7:03 am

  I had no trade in and was looking for a car to fit a family of 5 which included me (62" 260#s) and 3 growing boys along with my wife. It had to excite me but not break me. After researching and test driving this car, I was sold. I have never had more comments about a new car as I have had with this car. Its roomy like an SUV yet drives like a sports car. I wish I could have afforded the Hemi but the V6 is fine. I have noticed if I gun the car from a dead stop i get the rear wheels spinning a bit and in some snow i got a little slide but now that I am used to the car, I know what to do and what not to do. The Sirius radio is a must. The cruise control knob is a pain as is the trip knob.

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  Double Take - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By jill McQueary - October 18 - 6:26 am

  I have had my black Nitro for 1 1/2 months. I am amazed at how many people have come up to me in parking lots wanting to know what it is. I added the chrome running boards and front chrome facia and just love the added look. I am so happy with the performance and ride of this vehicle!

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  Wonderful~ - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By ssaga - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought 2002 Stratus SE 2.4lb last week. It is not so powerful, but it is enough. the design is very pretty, I love it. engine sound is so quiet. two things I dont like is fuel economy and poor sound system.

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  World Class Sports Car - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Fred Driving School - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I drive the 2003 SRT10 for pleasure. And it is a pleasure to drive. The acceleration is had to match, the brakes are unbeatable, cornering is fantastic. The top is easy to put up or down in seconds. One Fast Ride for performance lovers.

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  Finally as fast as it looks - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By mr sulu - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Was the best looking sedan , R/T made it fun. Had 99 base model , nice but slow.R/T handles like smaller car , goes like stink.Big ABS brakes bail you out of moments of inattention and bad weather. Slap snow tires on and also great in snow ( remove 17" summers )17" Michelins wear fast and are very expensive.

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  love but need better gas - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By scuzzin26 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  love the truck .needs better fuel economy.

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  Great vehicle - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Ryster - October 15 - 2:00 am

  The 2003 Dodge Durango is easily one of the best mid-sized SUVs currently on the market. After cross-shopping the Grand Cherokee, TrailBlazer, Explorer, and Endeavor the Durango stood out as the best handling and most comfortable of the group. The ride is excellent, the handling responsive, and the brakes very confidence inspiring. Comfort is the best of the SUVs I looked at and the dealer was the friendliest and most honest with respect to pricing/negotiating. With the current incentives on this vehicle it is hard to go wrong choosing the Durango.

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  awesome truck - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By trckr1 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  my dodge dakota is at 93,000 miles and still going strong, I have yet to find a problem with it, except for a leaking washer fluid bottle, no engine problems, no transmission problems, no major mechanical problems, its been a really good solid investment. very pleased with it. tires do slide somewhat when wet, but thats a goodyear problem

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  Reliable - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By Stevenff - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van used in 1998 with 65000 miles on it, now has 138000 and it keeps going. Just completed 3000 mile road trip with no problems. It is very comfortable for a small van. Has the 3.3 engine which performs very well. We use it to pull a small utility trailer and it is adequate for the job. It has just been a "good" van, period!

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  Perfect match - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By orionengineer - October 14 - 2:00 am

  A wonderful truck in every way! Stunning design, well thought out, and a pleasure to drive.