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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  Fun, fun, fun - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Big Daddy O - April 20 - 10:00 am

  Short of a big block hotrod, nothing is more fun to drive than the Magnum RT. Its fast & corners well. But the main thing is it looks cool going anywhere, even to fill it up with groceries. I have never owned or even seen a car that everyone, from 17 year old guys to 60 year old ladies, love. I bought it for my wife, but I cant stop driving it.

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  Girls like torque too! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Hemi Girl - April 20 - 10:00 am

  My previous experience with a V-8 4 door was my husbands Impala SS. We both agree the Magnum is superior across the board. The HEMI rocks, and the suspension handles that power like a dream. I cant believe the acceleration of this car. Its quite comfortable, the stereo is good, and I love the nav system. Styling is outstanding. Every where I go, people stop me and ask me about the car. The few cars that catch me on the highway, slow down to check it out as they go by. Leg room is great in both seats and I still have ample room for cargo in the back. I love blowing the doors off my neighbors BMW 325I. European performance at American prices.

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  O HEMI..........! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By O Hemi - April 20 - 10:00 am

  Test drove the RT in May... I was consumed. Read the brochure cover to cover and memorized everything. Factory ordered in June... due to the 300C, Magnums were backed up. Our dealer traded with a dealer out of Oregon so we could get it in time for our road trip to California! We traded a Ford Windstar for this and the Magnum RT is 10 times more comfortable than it was! My wife is 55" & I am 62" and we are both are at ease behind the wheel! Merge is no longer a word in our vocabulary!

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  Owner - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Patricia Fleischhaue - April 18 - 7:50 am

  I love driving my Journey. I like the idea that you have the feeling of a larger vehicle in a crossover. The interior is very convenient in many ways. My only complaint is that for a 6 cyl I do not get good gas mileage. I am getting only 10.4 to 11.1mpg on local traveling. I get the same mileage as on my 8 cyl Tahoe which is a much bigger vehicle. After reading all the other reviews I do not understand why I am getting so low mileage. On a longer trip I only get 14mpg. I truly hope this improves because I would highly recommend this vehicle to others if it was not for that one complaint.

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  IRON HORSE - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By MOE PAR - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck NEW in 1993 and have owned it ever since. This Dakota is powerful, fun to drive and comfortable. The drivers seat is without a doubt the most comfortable seat(or chair) I own. I once drove this truck virtually non-stop from Taos New Mexico to my home in north Texas and I was pain-free & comfortable all the way (I have back problems). The Dakota has a deep throaty sound and has always had all the POWER I ever needed. About a year and a half into ownership, the rear end went out. The dealership replaced the rear end and U-joints---no charge. This is a GREAT TRUCK!

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  Dakota Sport - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By mopar guy - April 17 - 2:00 am

  2.5 ltr 5spd Great truck, no special repairs other than regular wear/tear, first 5 yrs of ownership cost $600 for repairs, not bad!! Easy to work on with 2.5 and no a/c, you can stand in the engine compartment to work on it.

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  SATISFIED - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By JIM - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I got this van for 13,999. I plan to drive it to work everyday. Its been great and the dealer was great too.

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  SATISFIED - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Jim - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I got this van for 13,999. I plan to drive it to work everyday. Its been great and the dealer was great too.

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  Hot Dodge - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Coronet 73 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This is it! The only way to travel in style and performance. the Durango came out and the auto industry blinked and gasped for air and said oh sh*t we need something like that. It is what all suvs should be like. Hand down the sweetest SUV out there!

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  First time truck owner - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Kelly Jones - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This truck handles really well. The ride initially is not great, you feel all of the bumps and grooves in the roadway. Over time, this seems to have smoothed out a bit. Interior is very comfortable and roomy in my model (bucket seats, club cab). Gas mileage is around 17-18 city, 19-21 hwy.