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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  Is this really a Dodge??? - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Troy G. - May 8 - 3:26 pm

  I really like the car as a whole, especially the performance.It draws attention everywhere it goes. It is very fast and handles well for such a large car (German influence). The performance is equal to the looks.

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  Jazz Blue - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Will - May 8 - 11:56 am

  Love my Charger! 5000 miles and averaging 28mpg combined since I usually avoid traffic. Dodge did this one right, all though I prefer the 2014 exterior better the 2016 model is very aggressive and sporty looking. I have had nothing but good with this car so far.

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  Excellent - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Spellman - May 8 - 2:00 am

  It is a great car and is very very very reliable when used as a RACER.

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  Excellent Car - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By john quak - May 8 - 2:00 am

  The ratio of the quality over price is the best.

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  Dodge Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By AKAK666 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  A great SUV! It fits almost anything and yet still feels like a smaller car! Its amazing, sometimes I forgert Im driving an SUV!

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  lala - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By B-rizzle - May 8 - 2:00 am

  the cup holders should be in a better place hard to find the right size cup for them and hard to shift with a big cup in the way but i like the short shifter very nice

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  One of My 2 Dakota 2000 Quad Cab Trucks - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By rhudman - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I own two of these trucks. They were bought in Dec 1999. Both have been driven on long vacation trips from Texas to Florida. The Sport has a 4.7 Liter V8 which is easy on the gas and very peppy. The other is a SLT with a 5.9 Liter V8 and the full towing package to enclude towing capacity to 9000 lbs. As could be expected the gas milage is not as good as the smaller V8s and V6s but it is very powerful and extremely stout.

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  RT is for ME - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By jlen - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This Sport-Truck is all encompassing! It performs and handles like a Vette but with the utility of a truck! A 360 engine stuffed into a Dakota..ahh the possibilities!!!! As a woman driver I can appriciate the stealth of "just another Dakota"! But look out brother when I come alongside!

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  Great Car - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tom - May 5 - 10:43 am

  This vehicle has been impressive so far. I received the minivan as a company car. My hopes werent high due to the bad press about Chrysler models. Generally, Im a Honda fan but this vehicle is as well made as our Pilot. The ride quality is superb, the stow and go seating is class leading (love the extra storage room when middle seats are up), and the drivers captains chair has proven comfortably ideal for both high mileage and in and around town trips. Honda and especially Toyota are high priced and unwilling to negotiate while Chrysler offers great deals. Its no wonder the Caravan is the best selling minivan in the US.

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  My Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By JimmyD99 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Great Vehicle, great looks, reliable. No major defects, no mechanical breakdowns. Great power, accelleration. 3rd row a must.