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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  Different & Fun, Esp. for a Ford Man - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By BigE - September 23 - 4:53 pm

  I enjoyed the fact that I could still have room not like a Excursion but like leg room. It is not a Ford Flex but the dealer was willing to work with me and my situation. Not that it was bad. Larger wheels came with the R/T package and it is a lighter ride then the traditional Larger SUVs

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  Top of the line. - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Kurt Kostman - September 23 - 5:20 am

  Well I just bought my car on the 21st of March of 2007, and in the short time I have had it I love my new car, The 4 CDR engine is extremely snappy and the acceleration is incredible. The ride and the mostly sound proof cab makes highway noise barely noticable and an outstanding ride. I highly recomend it for anybody.

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  Occasional user - 1999 Dodge Ram Van
  By Camper - September 22 - 4:20 pm

  Good hauling capacity, got the 6 way adjustible seats which are the cats pajamas, used mostly n the summer, fishtails on the slightest ice. Smooth riding for such a big vehicle. Would have liked the 3500 if I knew about the lower cargo capacity

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  thank you dodge - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By pauldmedic16 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY SRT-4 FAST,GOOD LOOKING DID I SAY FAST. THIS CAR IS FUN TO DRIVE TURNS HEADS AND I LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT DONT KNOW ABOUT THE CAR BECAUSE THEY LOOK AT IT AND THINK ITS JUST LIKE A NEON AND THERE THINKING THESE NO WAY THIS CAR CAN BE FAST. THEY THINK THERE IS JUST AN AFTER MARKET EXHAUST THAT MAKES IT SOUND GOOD..SURPRISE WHEN IM GONE BEFORE THEY CAN GET INTO SECOND GEAR..I LIKE THAT DODGE LET THE INTERCOOLER SHOW INSTEAD OF PAINTING IT. AND DODGE MADE A CAR THAT I CAN PAY FOR, TONS OF AFTER MARKET PARTS HANDLES CORNERS ON RAILS STOPS ON A DIME. AGAIN THANK YOU DODGE FOR MAKING THIS CAR..

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  Im in love with this van. - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By jimpeggy2 - September 21 - 11:43 am

  Of all the cars/trucks I have owned in my life, this van is by far my favorite. My kids are over the moon for it. It is comfortable beyond belief. Reliable. Easy to drive and park. Your really feel safe while driving this vehicle. The mileage is fair, but it is a large engine and a heavy machine, so it makes sense that the mileage is what it is. Dont let that sway you. The stow and go seats are a dream and a piece of cake to use. The driver controls are a wonderful and easy to use as well. Drive it in good health and enjoy.

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  Overall - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Clifford Seal - September 19 - 11:23 pm

  I like the overall car it is great it drives more like a sports car than a family car. The inside is great all the gauges or well placed the controls and easy to reach. The room inside is just great i like to be able to shift the gears myself. all the safety features or great. I guess you could say i like ever thing about the car.

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  Love the Journey - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Shirley - September 19 - 3:50 pm

  We bouught a Journey rather than another Jeep d/t the gas mileage. We where amazed to get 26 MPH on the Highway and we get around 19.5-20.2 in the city. That is great for the bigger sized engine that we purchased with the R/T. I am very disappointed in the paint job and have had it in 9 times to be done right as it was 2 different shades of blue. Now it is in the shop. Whenever I put the car into drive or reverse, it does so roughly. They say it is a PCM and computer update problem and we will see if that fixes it tomorrow morning when they test drive it. I am over all very pleased with its performance, MPG, interior features and Nav/stereo system. I miss my Jeep though. : )

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  Faster, Mommy! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Rose - September 18 - 10:14 am

  I absolutely love this car. Its everything you would want - drives like a muscle car and rides like a luxury car. I looked at it for a year and just couldnt shake the desire. So glad I bought it. I have a 15 year old son and a 3 year old daughter and both think its so cool. My daughter has named it "The Big Red Car" after the Wiggles song (its TorRed) and constantly tells people how fast it is. All my girlfriends refer to it as my "guy magnet." When out cruising, no doubt I will get several "Woo-hoos." Anyone considering this car should go for it. The only thing I dont like is the gas mileage because I drive city miles and its getting 13 mpg. Great fuel economy on the highway though.

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  Back on the Road - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By wrench1 - September 18 - 7:24 am

  After driving for 3600 miles I was hit by a Peterbuilt truck in rush hour last June 19th. Just got back yesterday afyet numerous repairs from accident. This truck saved my life as If I was hit in my car I would be dead. Only frame damage was left rear rail which was pulled back on fram machine. Outstanding crash protection. I walked away with no injury.

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  Love the car, hate the repairs - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Jake - September 17 - 6:18 pm

  First I will list the problems: 1. First set of Goodyear Integrity tires did not last long. The first winter I tried to find Snow tires but they did not exsist in that size. There is a little more selection now. 2. Needed the first set of new tie rods at 34,000 miles. 3. Front braked fell apart at 40K miles 4. At 50,600 miles it needed tie rods again and sway bar links. This time I used NAPA parts with a lifetime warranty. 5. One power window does not work. 6. Check engine light comes and goes but the dealer does not know whats wrong. With that all said I like the car, I fit in it(67"). Like the style, its lots of attention. But it makes it tough to reccommend with all the problems