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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  Master of the Road - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By J.D Hanke - December 17 - 8:43 pm

  Ive always been a Dodge fan, but my new Durango has me hooked for life. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I traved through some of the worst winter driving conditions of my experience. Never have I felt more connected to the road that I was with the Durangos AWD. My family rode comfortable for 7 hours and I had full confidence in the vehicle. Its all Id ever wanted or excected in an SUV!

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  neon-oh yeah! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By pinkerella - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Please convey to Chrysler....this car is a "must" to stay in the line up! Americans will want to stay with this American design.

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  This car is the bomb! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Lord J - December 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car i have ever drove, it has lots of features and upgrades that are avalible. Theres been no competion on the street with this car, (beside the M5 that kicked my butt which i expected for $60,000+)it is fast and furious, and i dont regret buying this car, and for the price, its a steal, im waiting for Stage 2 turbo upgrade to make this car even faster, good job Dodge, 2 thumbs up.

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  Yup, Its another Mopar alright - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DaMoparGuy - December 16 - 11:00 pm

  Mopar is back with the return of the Charger. I think that they should have saved the return of the HEMI for the return of the Charger to make a huge come back, but hey, thats just me. This car is no slouch on the gas pedal, and less than half way up the rpm range, you realize what a Hemi is all about. This is an excellent reincarnation of the classic Mopar performance car.

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  Avoid this car!! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By irishguy - December 16 - 7:50 am

  I bought a new left over 2007 Caliber in March of 2008. I had the car a week when I hit a deer. The car broke like a plastic toy. The front end was completely smashed, the car was not drivable with broken parts and debris covering the roadway. The damage $10,000 and I only hit a deer! The Dodge dealer has had my car since March 17, 2008 and I have been driving a rental for 3 months because Dodge will not release the parts. The local Dodge dealer has been super. My insurance stopped paying after 30 days and the Dodge dealer is picking up the remainder. I am extremely disappointed with the Customer service and support or lack of it provided by the manufacturer!!

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  Dodge Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By N Moore - December 14 - 2:36 pm

  I love my Dodge Charger! It is so fun to drive! Handles great and rides like a dream. I have had many cars and SUVs over the years and the Charger is definitely my favorite.

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  Feel The Power - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By DRWIX - December 14 - 1:35 pm

  I bought my R/T Magnum new after driving the 300 and Charger I liked the magnum the best as far as handling. There is nothing I do not like about this car other than they are not making it after 2008. Shame on you Dodge, you never really advertised this car much as it was that was your fault, all things considered it sold well to begin with. Personally I think you should have redesigned it to offer a third seat, watch how it would sell then Dodge Brothers. I would buy another and I just may try an 08.

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  New car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Andrew Figone - December 13 - 4:53 pm

  The Caliber rides nice and smooth with no transmission kick. The gauges look sleek. Especially at night, they light up really nice. Even the cupholders light up a cool aqua blue. The controls in the steering wheel make driving so much easier. Get the black one.

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  Nothing like it on the market - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By oroblram69 - December 12 - 2:43 pm

  Nothing like it on the market.

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  Love this Car - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By T K - December 11 - 8:01 am

  I absolutely love this car. I had been driving a Lincoln Aviator for a bit, but test drove the Charger and instantly feel in love. The power is awesome. The interior is very stylish and comfortable. Even though Ive only had it a couple of days...I dont think Ill ever get rid of this car.