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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  World class exotic - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By shaftnmn - October 9 - 1:50 pm

  This car has no equal for its price and performance. I waited for 6 long years to buy a Viper and I was not disappointed. This car is a street legal race car but at the same time, it is no harder to drive than a Honda Civic or a Saturn. There is this thought out there that this car is hard to drive, it isnt - only drivers who dont understand or know how to drive a true sports car. The performance is unbelievable. I understand now why everyone who drives this car has such a big smile on their face. There are certain cars that invoke emotion by just looking at it & this car is one of them. If you are a car nut and you get the opportunity to own one, do it. You will not be disappointed.

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  Superb Design Inside & Out - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Dustin - October 8 - 9:48 pm

  I have recently purchased the 2008 Nitro and I have to say it was a great purchase for me. This SUV is a great buy and Im not sure why there are so many compliants about the handling. I think it handles great.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By cmcl3m0r3 - October 8 - 8:56 am

  I am writing this review after owning the car for over 6 months. Also just found out Dodge is discontinuing this car. Which to me, is very sad. I bought this car as a daily driver (parking my 09 Challenger RT). I was amazed by the features, feel, tech, acceleration, looks...pretty much everything about this car. I have NO idea why it is getting such a bad wrap. I get compliments on it all the time (just as much as my Challenger). I am a 6ft 1 guy, and they seats are very comfortable to me. I also have 3 children, and they fit in the car fine. Trunk space is awesome. I have the 2.4L SXT with everything minus the leather. Black 18inch alloys, and the car is Dark Grey.

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  Dodge Rocks - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Krude 1966 - October 7 - 7:56 pm

  I bought this truck brand new, ordered just the way I wanted. V6 , 5 speed manual tranny, sport edition 2wd. I bought it to haul firewood and it has hauled anything you can imagine. It now has over 120000 miles and the only major problem was replacing the tranny in the spring of 95. That has been my only complaint is shifting from 1st to 2nd is very clunky. It gets reasonable mileage of 22mpg on the highway and 18mpg in town. This truck will be in my possession until I die, a very worthwhile investment in my book.

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  Love my Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By kevin - October 7 - 2:21 pm

  Hi, I really love driving my Magnum! The 3.5 gets the mileage I was looking for, and the fun as well. The air blows cold and the fun runs hot! Im really enjoying my ride. Have fun out there! See you on the road.

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  Great Crossover for the Money - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Bestcrossover - October 7 - 1:20 pm

  I love the Dodge Journey. I hadnt even heard of it when I saw it at the dealership! I had been looking for a car with SUV feel and room with better gas mileage than I had been getting in larger truck based vehicles. I have the 4 cyl engine, which doesnt have the power of a 6, but gets the job done for trips and work commutes. It is an attractive car that many people have asked me about, as it is quite uncommon on the road and is a new model.

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  Damn fun SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Tom Wyse - October 7 - 1:03 pm

  Just plain fun to drive! Nothing like performance AND mileage. I have gotten as good as 29 MPG and as low as 22 (driven with fun and gusto). Id read a complaint about poor visibility with the rear spoiler, but find it fine unless I want to see over a 1/2 mile back. Now I want the SRT-10 pickup. The biggest single modification I made was to replace the engine mounts, that ELIMINATED any wheel hop.

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  Slap in the Face - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Das Kootz - October 7 - 2:56 am

  Its appearance is what drew me to it. However,I dont think they put a lot of thought into the interior design, no creativity, no toys really,doesnt reflect the exterior image at all. I opted for the 6 CD/DVD player, expecting a screen to accompany it.It didnt.Not that I dont like listening to movie. Its just not the same without the visual. No response yet from them on whether or not there is any video output. If not,why offer it? Exterior? The tires look wrong (I opted for the 17")they should be bigger/wider. They are cookie cutters. The luggage rack shakes at around 95 km or in wind. For me the only saving grace lies in the aftermarket.

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  Should Consider another Manufacturer - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Never Again - October 5 - 8:55 am

  I bought this vehicle at the end of 2005 when they were running the model year clearance. I had some negitive equity from another vehicle so the $6000 in rebates was great, however the depreciation on this vehicle is horribly. It nearly halved in value is first year. I am now two years into a 3 year lease and i am being offered my lease payout as my trade in value. I also have about 33,000 miles on the vehicle and both fron seat base cowlings are cracked near seatbelt attachments, the vehicle has stalled several times for no reason, the motor has a clicking lifter, and my fuel mileage keeps getting worse. Beware of the oh so good looking deal. Think twice before you buy.

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  Love this Car! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Tante Lise - October 4 - 3:07 pm

  I only have the base model Dodge Charger, but I love it. It rides very smooth. I also like how it sits up higher than my old car (grand prix). It is nice and roomy too. Very comfortable to ride in. The seats make you feel relaxed and not strained. I am short (52") and it is easier to see over the steering wheel and dash in the Dodge Charger. I cannot wait until I can afford to purchase a more "loaded" Charger with leather seats (heated of course) and the "Hemi". :)