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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  Rather have my Jeep - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Rather have my Jeep - August 12 - 2:21 pm

  I will have my Journey back in the shop for the 2nd time due to a shaking in the front end and into the steering column after having the front suspension checked, and the tires balance for the 2nd time. PLUS we just had to replace the brakes and rotors front and back with only 31,000 all highway miles on it. What the heck! I didnt have to have that done until 65,000 miles on my Jeep liberty and no chassis vibration.

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  Good Value - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By hdvido - August 12 - 9:06 am

  Purchased van new. No issues under warranty. As per many users, the transmission shifts down like a jerking pig. But Im told that this is re-programmable by the techs. Cabin noise due to road conditions is only for the poor of hearing.

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  My SUV - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Bryan - August 10 - 9:10 am

  My Durango belonged to my grandmother who worked on the assembly line in Detroits Dodge factory so it means a lot to me. It runs like a dream my friends love it we call it the Dragon! Smooth ride gr8 handing reminds me of my BMW around turns, keep up with the oil changes, rotate the tires for stability. Acceleration is AMAZING better than the 2010 BMW X5 mine has 72,600 on it put 1,300 on it this weekend on a trip from VA to Detroit and it was gr8 very reliable. Ive seen Durangos with 190k on them. gr8 SAFE 1st car for high school/college students. Ive been in 2 front end collisions in it and walked away from both without a scratch even on the 40 mph collision the medic was shocked

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  My Baby - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By StealthyGirl - August 9 - 9:48 pm

  Lets see, it was my birthday last year and My boyfriend and I were car shopping for him. We went and looked at this stealth and I fell in love with it! Absolutely fell in love! He ended up buying it for me and I gave him my car to sell to get him his own car. LOL So not only was it special that i got for my birthday but this car is amazing! The gas mileage isnt so hot. I love the way it handles and feels while Im driving it. The cockpit style front seats I think are my favorite. The stock stereo has been taken out due it just being so old that it no longer sounds great. Overall, this car amazing to drive and turn heads everywhere i go. Me being a chick it makes guys jealous!

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  Remarkable Durability - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By James82 - August 7 - 11:35 pm

  Me and my family have had this truck for almost 10 years and it has definitely been worth it. I have always been a traditional SUV guy and still am because of this truck. The 4.7 L is great, the 4WD system worked terrific in the snow, and at 240,000 miles it is still running. Besides a cracked head gasket replacement which was a bit of a pain, nothing else has gone wrong. It was a great road trip car and we love it. I am worried that it may go soon so its replacement GMC Yukon has already been purchased, but I hope it lasts for a long time. Even with its terrible fuel economy, Im convinced its one of the best cars I have owned.

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  Still going - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By maro71 - August 7 - 9:16 am

  I love my Durango even though it only 2WD. I have been the one and only owner. I used to live in Hawaii and really didnt see a need for 4wd until I moved to PA. Anyway My wife and I get a good tuneup on the regular. Weve had a few bumps on the road but they have been few and far in between. Most of our issues has been the mechanics didnt know what the heck they were doing. In Hawaii for example our mechanic told us that spark plugs only need changing every 2 years or something. Month later the truck stalled. Come to find out the spark plugs had burned out along with the wires. Overall Ive really love it. Its not too big or too small. Just right.

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  Great car! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Jeremy G! - August 6 - 8:03 pm

  Bought this car off an old acquaintance and Im very satisfied with my purchase. I love the handling and engine roar I get when I floor it, granted I do only have the 2.7 v6. Interior is kinda boring with all the solid black plastic. Also poor visibility from inside, feel like Im in a tank. LOL

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  Dodge Caliber - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Chris - August 5 - 9:33 am

  Dodge Caliber is a good above basic car and has an affordable price tag. Its performance is based on the maintenance of the CVT, you need to have it cleaned every 15,000 miles, then the car snaps when you accelerate. It could use a turbo version with the 4 cylinder, but the cost of the vehicle can reflect the turbo enhancement (Volvo does this - I own an S40 1.9T and love it). The car handles well in the snow, minus the all- wheel or 4 wheel option, due to the 17" tires and wide wheel base. The warning sensor are a flaky, but its due to the cable harnesses and connections. The car could use a little better suspension for a better ride. We like the car, just tweak it a little.

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  Miss my Pacifica - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Ben - August 4 - 9:55 am

  Traded "05 Pacifica Ltd. and am having regrets. I forgot how much the Mercedes input meant! I like the Journey but am disappointed in interior. The seats are narrow and stiff. May be too many hidden storage units for a kids grown couple. I purchased black leather and it looks and feels like vinyl. Mileage is better but it will take a while to forget the luxury of the Pacifica.

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  Good Small Car - 1992 Dodge Shadow
  By Glenn - August 4 - 9:24 am

  I had one of these I bought new in 1990 and put 100,000 trouble free miles on it. I bought a new one in 1992 for my mother-in-law and she drove it until she passed away. She loved it and it has sat the last few years as we just could not sell it. I started driving it again recently and it runs like the day we bought it. These were good cars for the money, this car has 77,000 miles on it without a single problem.