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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  DAKOTA - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By BIGJOHNSON - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Quality is good. Repair is moderate. But it runs good and has power and a smooth ride.

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  Durango LTD - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By TIBBY - December 14 - 8:36 am

  I love the new "Hemi" Durango Ltd. The only things I would change about it would be the front fender and hood design, and on the interior, the length of seatbelts in the front. Im a big guy,but have never had a problem with the length of seatbelts in any vehicle except this one. Overall, Dodge hit a homerun with the "Hemi" Durango.

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  Greatest Graduation Present! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Meredith - December 13 - 10:33 pm

  I got my Charger R/T as a graduation present and I couldnt be happier! I love driving it -- its comfortable to ride in, full of power and is just a dream come true.

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  GREAT FUN CAR - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By joe masiello - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I Love My car.It is great for My Wife Son and two Big dogs..We drove to the lake ,and it peformed greatthru the Mountain..WOW WOW

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  BAD TO THE BONE - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By SKIPPERK1 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  FAST AND BAD THE REAL ROCKY.IT HAS IT ALL THIS CAR REALY TURNS HEADS.

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  Love my Truck - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Busy Mom - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I love my Durango. As a busy mom working full time I dont have time for cramped quarters and minumal interior load. We all have plenty of room for the daily short trips to school and work but plenty of room for the long road trips too. We put bigger tires on it and have as much fun off road as on road. Best vehicle I ever own!

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  perfection - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By jay - December 12 - 2:00 am

  the apitamy of autos the best car ever to roll off the dodge line

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  INTREPID ES V6 3.5 - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By AHMED ELHAJ - December 11 - 2:00 am

  VERY SOLID CAR THE V6 3.5 IS A THIRSTY ENGINE BUT THE PERFORMANC IS ALL WORTH IT IT HAS A VERY SLEEK LOOK FOR BUSSINESS OR A NIGHT OUT IN THE CITY

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  This thing has POWER ! - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By Cliff D. - December 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Dakota. Drove the 1st one 130000 miles it was my best vehicle ever ! Bought another. The V8 has unbelievable power. Feels like the most powerful truck on the planet. 60/40 bench seat is very comfortable. A/C is very strong. 6 passenger but only if they are small kids in back.

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  GREAT!! - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By sAM - December 11 - 2:00 am

  BEST IN THE WORLD!!