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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  love it - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By york - March 5 - 2:00 am

  just fun to drive and room for everyone and everything.

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  Comfort and safety at an affordable price - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Chuck - March 4 - 7:06 pm

  Present mileage just shy of 4000. Gas mileage city 15 and 24 highway. Best ride of any mini-van I have driven. Wish I had paid a few dollars more and got the SXT. Traded in a 2007 Mercury Milan that I really liked, but this mini is a whole lot more vehicle and gets almost the same gas mileage

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  ESP - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Swampoodle - March 3 - 10:00 am

  A real pleasure to drive, turn the ESP off, place right foot on floor and hold on. It reminds me of the late 60`s. Oh and it can carry a crapload of stuff. The roof line and quarter windows give the car a look that I somehow associated with an old Nomad wagon. One item that I don`t like is that I don`t have headlamps that come on automatically. Overall a great machine.

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  Go Get One - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By NJCOOP - March 3 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I needed more room, but I didnt want an SUV. I just couldnt bring myself to buy a 4 door sedan. Then I found the Magnum. Do your research, you will be impressed. I want you to know that the SXT with the 3.5 v6, will give you plenty of power and is a blast to drive. I traded in a 2004 Mustang convert. It had a 3.8 v6, it also had 60 LESS horses...

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  power - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By joeR1 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  this is my third durango better yet its a 2004 hemi it reacts when i react it turns head and its comfortable they did good with suspension but they could do better with the rear, breaking is good i have no complaints only complaint dodge should of made a R/T model keep up the good work

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  Awesome distinguished ride! - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Daniel M. - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the best thing that I have had in a long time! No one knows what it is, they always say "Hey thats a nice....uhm?...Pont...Ch...What is that?". The car turns on a dime and at times shocks me with its power (it really moves, pending you know how to shift then its untouchable). The cool thing about this car is the aftermarket goodies, Ive already purchased an air- raid intake system and will be purchasing a supercharger as well!! (even though the car does not need it at all). When driving this car it feels as luxury as my parents Infiniti Q45, so its sporty and good looking.

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  Great Affordable Car - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Slonestar2000 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Avenger in September of 1999 and Ive had only a few maintenance difficulties with it but nothing that I couldnt repair myself. This car is amazingly low maintenance, and stylish yet still affordable.

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  Love this car!! - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By darkangel - March 1 - 2:00 am

  people always ask me why did I buy an avenger? the ratings are so bad. thats only because people by the V6s. My four bangers pushin hard and Im loving every minute of it. the bigest problem Ive had was a broken power steering belt ($26 replacement wow..) kinda hard to work on the headlights, but oh well, I wont be changing them for a while.

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  Yes It Is! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dawn Main - February 27 - 4:53 pm

  I love it. The best car that I have ever owned. Excellent handling, comfort and looks! I do have to say that most of the looks come from men. Women are not as taken with the car.

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  Great car to drive - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By robb_1 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new and now have 25k miles and no problems. The car rides great and very comfortable on long trips. A great engine(3.5L) for a mid size car. I plan on keeping this car for a long time. I think I have to buy one for my wife, she loves to drive it!