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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  the ultimate people mover - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John Edward - December 11 - 3:50 am

  We bought the car with over 90,000 miles on the clock, and it now boasts over 220,000, and the engine has never been opened up, the transmission has never given us grief (though we service the tranny every 20K. We get a consistent 23.56 mpg and always use regular fuel, changing the 10w40 good quality oil every 3K miles. The only mechanical problems in ten years have been a malfunction in the aftermarket remote locking/alarm system, and a pesky serpentine belt that has left the scene of the crime twice in ten years. Were now looking at changing gaskets and hoses because its a regular thing.

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  Faster n hell - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By Eric Dehaan - December 10 - 11:25 am

  Awesome car. Looks good,drives good,total package.

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  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Andy268 - December 10 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best riding and handling cars I have ever owned. The 3.5 V6 has plenty of power. I get looks almost everywhere I go. Dodge has built a Winner.

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  06 Charger SE w/ 3.5HO 5A added sunroof - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By JimPonder - December 10 - 7:39 am

  I just purchased this vehicle and find that it is very comfortable and roomy for taller people like myself. You can glide down the road not even noting your speed. Fairly quiet running vehicle and smooth over the bumps. Not the R/T so I havent done the curves hard with it. I do recommend you get the 5sp auto for this vehicle (I believe they are standard on the 06 models and only on the SXT-R/T models later.) The 5speed (or 5A as they note it) will give you the low rpm cruising speed on the highways which will help with gas. I get 30mpg with this car.

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  Great Car worth whatever you pay - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Erik - December 9 - 9:21 pm

  I bought my first Stealth may, it was a dream car of mine, a 1994 ES. It ran great for the first month, then I had some problems (at a very high cost) a $1000 fuel tank and pump and $500 worth of brake work. There were quite a few problems, but I bought the car with 150,000 miles on it so I guess I should have seen that coming. Recently, however, I was lucky enough to find a cheap 1993 R/T with only 83,000 miles and a standard tranny. This car runs awesome I cant complain, it is easy to drive, and every time I take my friends out to show them what it can do, they are amazed. This thing is a 4200 lb sports car with 222Hp and drives like this? I cant imagine what a tt would be like.

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  Im a belever! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By DURANG02 - December 9 - 8:23 am

  I have owned a lot of vehicles including Explorers and Blazers. I even work at a Ford dealership. I purchased my Durango last summer because I liked the agressive look of the Dodge and it had 3rd row seating, an option I was looking for. Since then I have put alot of miles on my Durango and I have to say I love the comfort and the design of the vehicle. I recently had to use the 4WD and it impressed me even more. The only bad thing I have to say about it is the fuel mileage is not all that great at about 15 mpg, but for all the other great great things about the vehicle. I can live with it.

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  Good Truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Jason - December 8 - 10:34 pm

  Happy with the truck. I have had it for a little over a year. Did have to replace tie-rod ends in it a couple times, which I hear is typical for Dakotas. Gas mileage leaves a lot to be desired (about 13-14 mpg in town). Power is good and pulls my boat with no problem. Roomy cab is nice and actually fits adults in the backseat. Off-road performance is adaquate. Feels like it cant take a lot of abuse with tough terrain and ground clearance is a concern. Overall, I am happy with it and would buy it again.

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  95 Ram Van - 1995 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Karen Stevens - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Very servicable from the start. Plenty of power,towed a heavy pop-camper at 95mph in Montana, I can always tow it at highway speed and keep up with any traffic. I do all maint. and most repairs myself. I fix before it breaks. Fuel pump went out at 123000, replaced water pump, alternater, starter just in case. I thought the trans was gone but only blew a hose. Uses about one quart of oil in 3000mi. Power door locks are not reliable. Windshield leaks and wind noise.

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  4.0 liter V6--R/T version - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Petros - December 6 - 6:57 pm

  I tested both the 3.7 and the 4 liter engines and found that the 4 liter was a rocketship compared to the 3.7 engine. I purchased the 4 liter. The R/T package will also get you 20 inch wheels and a sports turned suspension. The R/T version handles as well as my Audi A4 in tight corners with this package and I am amazed at the quickness of this SUV. Very little lean. Fuel economy is rated at 21 miles per gallon and with only 350 miles, I am getting 18.2mpg. The interior fits my style and is very confortable. The slide and go storage is great for anyone with a sore back getting items out of the rear end. Built in GPS, subwoofer, bluetooth and 20 gig hard drive with Ipod plug in. I am happy.

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  The toughest car ever driven - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Troyboy - December 5 - 3:40 pm

  I am 19 years old and I had this car till about a few months ago, my brother and I both owned this car while we were going through our crazy driving stage. This car has been through so many rivers and ditches and jumps, yet it has lasted better than we could ever imagine! This is the toughest car I have ever seen, wont ever let you down!