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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  A Definite Dodge RT Woman - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By RTLover - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Dodge Durango. My first was a 99 4WD that I thought was great until I purchased a 2002 R/T. The AWD is wonderful in bad weather. I have never purchased the same vehicle twice - but I can see a 3rd R/T in the future. Love the Handling and lot of room. The chrome wheels are a nice addition!!

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  Great Ride - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Do Rango - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Owned 2 Expeditions before the Durango and wouldnt take either one back. Great ride, handeling and performance. I love this truck!

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  durago slt 4wd 03 - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By david bentley - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I travel nationwide with my durango. In Boston, Ma. snow storm with the 4 wheel drive worked very well. I put a air raid system on and getting 17 highway 13.5 city.On the downsideI have had to turn my rotors twice now and they still sqeak.

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  Dodge Avenger Advocate - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By becca - July 21 - 12:00 am

  My dad just recently purchased my avenger for me as a first car. I love to drive it. Its so comfortable and has great power to be a four cylinder. The features are great. The avenger has a mini fridge option in the dash. I have it and it is operational. I love this car! It has great steering and its economical too. If you are looking for a small, economical, but comfortable car the Dodge avenger would be a great consideration!

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  Love my Charger - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By LoveHP - July 20 - 4:59 am

  Its not my midlife crisis car, it my midlife living car. Ive had it for over a year and still get compliments.

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  Alot of bang for your buck - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By matt - July 20 - 3:23 am

  We purchased our dodge journey sxt in march. It has been a great vehicle for us it was cheaper than the imports and alot more comfortable for a 6 2" guy. There is plenty of storage compartments and cupholders. We have the v6 and it is very fast. Handling is also very good. Fuel mileage is pretty good about 18 around town and 23 on the highway. overall im very happy with this vehicle and would recommend it to everyone looking for a crossover

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  GET THE 4 CYLINDER!!! - 1992 Dodge Caravan
  By LP - July 20 - 2:00 am

  this is a very reliable van with cold a/c and even though its not very quick, it is very reliable. 150,000 miles and the 2.5 liter 4 cyl. engine runs like a top. Ive heard the 6 cyl. is plagued with problems!

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  Great SUV - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By cablejimbo - July 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Durango. The only reason I traded my old one is, I got a great trade in price. Plus I also wanted the more pulling power that my old one didnt (I had the 318 now I have the 360 motor). I this this is a great SUV. A SUV that you get more for your money. I never had a problem with my old Durango, and thats why I am now on my second one.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Kimberly - July 19 - 2:00 am

  My car is now ten years old, ABS just went out, so Im shopping for a new car and cant find -anything- that compares to the Stealth!!! This has been such an awesome car for ten years, fun to drive, fits tall people, turns head, front wheel drive so good in Chicago winters, folding down hatch so I can fit my bike and anything inside, why the heck did Mitsubishi stop making this?!?!? I would buy a new one in a heartbeat and dont want to give it up!

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  Fun to drive - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By StratusRT - July 19 - 2:00 am

  The R/T package on the Stratus has one of the best handling suspensions I have ever driven. The 2.7 liter engine has very nice performance for this class. I find the interior design well thought out and attractive, much better than any of the Japanese cars I have been in in this class. My car gets driven pretty hard and in some pretty atypical conditions, but it has never let me down.