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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  2002 Dodge Durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Joe Smith - June 5 - 5:00 pm

  Great truck!!

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By rhapsodyfreak - June 5 - 11:58 am

  I was a truck driver for a while in the US Marines and despite all of the Humvees and other bog trucks I drove and performed maintinance for, no vehicle has ever been as reliable to me as this vehicle. It has never let me down in the few years Ive had it and believe you me has it endured many things since then, several wrecks and off-roading, and overall abuse it still runs magnificent. In spite of all of this, it is fast and comfortable. The only thing bad in my opinion is the fuel economy isnt the greatest and it contains only about a 10-12 gallon fuel tank. The stereo it comes with is loud and many other factory or stock items are very nice for such an old vehicle.

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  Above expectations - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By fhohio - June 4 - 9:22 pm

  The van has been surprisingly reliable. No major problems in almost 9 years. It cant be beat for utility in hauling people or their cargo. It is a comfortable vehicle to travel in, althought the performance is, well, van-like.

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  Love my van - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By vallie_girl - June 4 - 5:36 pm

  This van drives much like a car. It has a fluidity in movement with an excellent turn radius. Problems have all been minor. We had a plastic piece come off one of the windows, had to replace brakes both front and back. But overall an amazing deal.

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  Looks good but... - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Foochey - June 4 - 5:14 pm

  Engine is strong. Thats the end of the good news. Brakes are horrible, expect warped rotors Aand drums every 15,000m. Add to that the fact that these brakes are under-designed and will not stop this vehicle safely and should be recalled. The BCM module is a joke and must be replaced by dealership whenever your lights/wipers/etc go haywire (and they will). Youll get raped for this stupid charge that is designed into Dodges grand service scheme. Then theres the upper balljoint issues. Dodge will be out of business if they keep producing junk like this. Never another Dodge/Chrylser product for me...ever.

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  Not so good - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By G - June 4 - 1:32 pm

  Have had this thing for about 2 years and bought it practically new(7000km) it now has 71,000. It has definintely not been my favorite car. I quality is very lacking. There are so many squeaks and things it drive me nuts. Power is on the weak side for me and I find the brakes are not the greatest either. The stock tires were garbage. I have a number of problems I dont feel I should have had. The engine is the most unrefined thing I have ever driven. Lots of vibrations at idle. In my opinion this is a cheap and cheaply made car. I would not buy another.

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  Buy A Honda, Buy a Toyota - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By CorvetteKev - June 4 - 4:03 am

  Ive owned Ford & Mazda vans and switched to Dodge when these were unavailable. Electrical problems plague this car (WORSE THAN MY OLD ALFA ROMEO)! Brake failure at 16k, 2 bad ignitions, a bad ignition pack, bad rear shocks, bad front sway bar, NOW Im burning 2.5 qts of oil in 3k miles - Dealer says this is normal. Dont believe me, I have the invoices! Buy a Honda! I have 32k on the van - not good

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  2006 Durango...an awesome vehicle - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Soxman - June 2 - 6:57 pm

  This SUV was purchased with 38600 miles, but runs like a new vehicle. It is far superior to my previous Pathfinder in ride and performance. The interior is spacious and well designed. My next vehicle will be a Durango as well.

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  My Magnum Rocks! - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Karen - June 2 - 5:31 pm

  I sell Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep products, and have been looking closely at the 300, Charger and Magnum for some time. Comparing all things equally, my Magnum fits my kids and their stuff (hockey, lacrosse, football and all other equipment), and my golf clubs and my hubbys. It has the hot looks of a sexy sportscar, but has the capability of a family sedan. I feel great driving this amazing vehicle, and working as a Sales and Leasing Consultant, I get to drive dozens and dozens of vehicles and models all the time! I love my leather interior, sunroof, autostick and Boston Acoustics stereo for when I want to crank it up!

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  RT Hemi - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By rick - June 1 - 1:56 pm

  Am overjoyed with the 350 horse Hemi. Only two problems with the car seem to be the brakes do not match up with the power and there seem to be a couple of blind spots when driving. I have only put 7800 miles on this car and am going to try to keep the miles low. The car handles like a race car with the tight suspension and the incredible power of the engine. It has the sound of the old muscle cars of the 60s. I weigh 270 and am 64", there is more than enough room for me. The 4 doors make this car more practical than any new Mustang on the market and both my kids have put dibs on it when I die