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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  Oil Pressure Problems - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By geroge - April 8 - 2:05 am

  Ive had a Dakota for a few years now and what seemed to be a good vehicle has turned into a dog. Even with regular oil changes it seems this truck will drop its oil pressure for no reason. A quick search on the web tells me I am not the only one this has happened to. The 3.9L engine is a sludge factory. Now, we all dont have the ability or oppurtunity to pull over when something like an unexpected drop (to 0) in oil pressure occures, so just imagine the amount of engine damage that can occur. Isnt it a lovely sound to hear my engine knock. Not only would I avoid Dodge but any Diamler/Chrysler product.

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  Ill go! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By pms2go - April 7 - 6:33 pm

  Plenty of room in back seat for passengers. Enough get up and go to merge or say fuggettaboutitt to that yellow light. Handling is responsive. I wish the rear had a sporty look like the front! Havent had this much fun driving since my Trans Am. I love the electronic stability control. This I could feel when driving in "monsoon" season. I have to disagree with the previous review about not enough acceleration to beat other cars. I can put myself wherever need be. It isnt called high output for nothing!

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  Return of rear wheel drive - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Cory - April 7 - 2:23 pm

  Traded in 2004 Dodge SRT-4 for roomier and more comfortable car. Im not pro- Dodge, it just happens to be the roomiest, least expensive RWD 4 door sedan on the market. After a high performance FWD car, I wanted something that wouldnt rip my arms off with torque steer. The R/T was what got me looking at the Charger in the first place but I ended up leasing the SXT model beacuse of overall cost. Being 66" I needed something I didnt have to curl into a ball to fit into. Only had it for a week but am very pleased with the Charger so far.

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  Best truck ever - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By Spyder - April 6 - 10:11 pm

  I bought this truck new and still own it. It has never failed me and Ive put it through some serious work. I load a large, cabover camper in the rear and take it off road here in Nevada. Even though it is not a 4- wheel drive truck it still handles almost all 4 wheeling roads as if it were. After 15 years I doubt Ill ever get rid of it. Ive owned a lot of different trucks over the years and this one is heads above all of them. Mine is pretty basic, no big power options, but that just makes it easier to maintain and more reliable. If you ever are in a position to buy one of these trucks, you will not be disappointed.

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  Great car except when refueling - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Shark - April 6 - 9:30 pm

  My 3-year lease on my 2004 Durango SLT 4WD 4.7L will end in a couple of months. I am very happy I got this car because it is comfortable, performs good and is fun to drive. It was also very reliable - I only had one problem with a unit responsible for the reverse light which was replaced under warranty within an hour. The only problem this car has is that it is very thirsty, but I knew that when I bought it and it is quite expected from a V8 4.7 engine.

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  Great Bang for the Buck - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By A.Smith - April 6 - 2:38 pm

  This is totally fun car to drive. After a few months and changing to performance tires with my 2006 SXT, there have been no problems of any kind. The power of the 4cyl engine is great, and it comes off the line as spirited as a 6cyl engine. The interior and trunk room is outstanding, and the ride is firm and comfortable. My wife loved it so much after a few trips behind the wheel, she threatened not to let me have it back. Its a good, solid and fun car for the price. Great second car!

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  Best Buy - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Lad - April 6 - 7:38 am

  Bought this vehicle to tow a big trailer. Had an 02 Sequoia, and it was great, but gutless. Got the Hemi engine option on the new Durango, and it has the grunt to do the job. The multi displacement engine control system does a fine job for squeezing the gas consumption. I actually get the posted gas mileage, or a little better. The seating capacity is great for carrying the whole family, in comfort. Love the looks, and its fun to drive. Yep, shes a winner, a best buy for the money.

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  I Love this Car! - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By M Phillips - April 5 - 8:29 pm

  My husband and I bought this car about a month ago. We were looking for something roomy enough to fit our 1 year old car seat comfortably as well as me who is 61. Well, we found it. This car is awesome. My husband loves the fact of how sporty the car looks even thought it is a mid-size 4 door. The compartments are great and the car gets awesome gas milegage. Roomy and just a nice overall interior. Could not ask for a better car.

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  Good car, bad truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Nic - April 5 - 11:39 am

  This is the least offroad capable four wheel drive truck I have ever used. The four wheel drive basically has a two wheel drive suspension that makes it sit so low to the ground that the ground clearance, approach angle and departure angle are most car-like than truck-like. If you never plan to leave the the road it is a capable vehicle that rides well, is comfortable, and tows well, but if you do avoid this truck like the plague.

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  Good but Ugly - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Mike - April 4 - 11:17 pm

  I have every option. Mechanically, Ive changed the oil and she runs and runs. Interior build quality is a joke, Ive had numerous parts just fall off including the infamous seat belt holder and the door reflectors on both sides. The air conditioning stinks. Heater blower too. The light tan interior is a super pain to keep clean especially the arm rest. Mileage is a joke for a few reasons. Number one. The computer mileage is not even close to being accurate. Two, my odometer is off 7%. Therefore if I travel 100 actual land miles my Durango says I went 107. Dealer says no fix. I say extend my warranty 2500 miles. Well we all know where that got me. The usual dumb look from the service manager.