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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  Great ride turning sour - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By KB - July 18 - 8:47 pm

  We bought the 4 cylinder last year because it had the best Cash for Clunkers incentive that fit right in my budget. I was thrilled in the beginning and enjoyed very much the ride, style and comfort. Eventually I found myself visiting the dealership with some issues quite often than anticipated. Ive owned several toyotas and wouldnt need to change my oil frequently or let alone change brakes before 36,000 Miles. To date, Ive needed wheel alignment, changed the rack & pinion and wheel bearings. Now, I need new front brake pads and rotor! What a major disappointment :( I thought I my driving was erratic but seeing all the other reviews made me realize that the car is junk.

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  BAD BATCH - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By PEARL - July 13 - 6:24 pm

  I downgraded from a dodge ram hemi to save gas when I bought this 08 magnum that only had 12k on it. Not even a month after I bought the car, it started to shut off in the middle of driving. I took it back to the dealer about 4 times and the computer never recorded anything. They looked at me like a dumb lady and all they did was reflash the computer. The tranny makes loud clunky noises when accelerating and slowing down and it bucks when it shouldnt. Car stations change from FM to AM on its own. The car shakes sometimes like it has a carburetor, which I know it doesnt have but I do know what it feels like when an old car wants to shut off. Maybe I got a bad car from the batch.

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  Great sports sedan - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By Rich - July 8 - 9:45 pm

  Bought this 2009 used with (13000 miles) in May,"for my wife". She loves it except that the ride is a bit rough on bumpy roads. The car drives great and has lots of room for passengers. Its quiet and feels solid. I was very skeptical about the gas mileage with the hemi V8,but am very impressed so far. 368 H.P and deliver 26- 27 M.P.G. on freeway trips is outstanding.

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  Earlier is better than new! - 1994 Dodge Viper
  By jackson - July 3 - 4:15 am

  If you want a heated steering wheel, seats, and such, buy a BMW or whatever. Mine has only 4k with intake, exhaust, and Paxton supercharging. I have four Corvettes of all years and my favorite to drive, by far, is the Viper. Tops down!

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  Still Ticking - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By D Coop - July 1 - 10:04 am

  Saw some of the posts with mileage and thought I would post mine. I mine is a 4.7 have 219,800 and still going strong. Starting to use a little oil but what can you expect with those miles?

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  Great Car - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By tdjacw - July 1 - 9:01 am

  Traded in my 2009 Chevy Impala for this car based on the looks. I have to say it has exceeded my expectations in every way. This car cost the same as the Impala but does everything better. The V- 6 with the 5speed auto stick is really fun to drive. It has a great highway ride and feels very solid. Ive purchased many new cars and this is the only one I would purchase again

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  Use synthetic oil in the 2.7 engine - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Baby this car - June 29 - 6:59 am

  Ive driven this car daily for 4 1/2 years, I have 160,000 on it currently, and the only things Ive had to fix are the electric cooling fans, starter, alternator, battery, and a couple of trans sensors. Ive studied this engine, and to take care of the sludge problem you need to run pure synthetic oil of the best variety you can find, it will pay for itself by giving you more performance, better gas mileage, and of course not blowing up. Most people treat their cars like crap and expect them to do everything cheaply, these folks will be the ones with the blown engines at 60,000. Also, run premium gas, that will also pay for itself with better mileage. Good car, Ill get 350,000 out of it

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  Never need to sell it - and never will - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By big red - June 28 - 1:51 pm

  LOVE this car/truck. I have had it now for almost 10 years and it is in great shape. BEST FEATURE - excellent turning range makes it easy to get just about anywhere. Holds seven passengers with ease on a 5.9 liter v- 8. Has great towing capacity and strong roof racks. It is our "vacation- travel" car. I now have a little Volvo t50 wagon, but love to drive Big Red the best. I have to say, the gas prices have taken a bite out of the time we spend driving it, but we will NEVER sell it. Great car.

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  Brakes - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By dolamiti - June 21 - 7:25 pm

  I just bought this 2010 Journey SXT with the V-6. At 50 miles the front brakes started vibrating so bad you could feel it in the steering wheel and also the drivers seat started shaking. When you apply the brakes at a normal level, the front end started shaking and it gets worse until you come to a stop. I called the dealer when I got home and am returning the Journey and getting my 2008 Commander back. They will have to undo the deal.

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  Overall Great Car - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By T - June 21 - 1:46 pm

  The Plastic covers always fall off and snap. But this car is Awesome. When you drive, Its so smooth, But the Roar of the car is so GREAT. you just have the feeling of Driving some tank, But its just an SUV. The handling is good, Braking is pretty Good.