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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  Boxes - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Joyce - November 27 - 11:50 am

  I love how the front passenger seats folds flat! I can fit 1 1/2 skids in my Caliber I no longer need to rent a box truck I just make 2 trips. Why not make 2 trips the Caliber is fun to drive.

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  Final Edition # 171 of 360 - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By Daniel Lesser - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Definatly the coolest, fastest, most fun car I have ever owned and driven. Owning a Viper is much more than just owning the car... it is an experience.

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  This SUV saved my life - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By bravesmom - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I loved my Durango before my accident but now I can really recommend this auto. While driving my Durango I was hit head on by a Ford Expedition (monster SUV) going 45 mph. Thanks be to God, I and the Expedition passengers were uninjured, although bruised and shaken. The airbags deployed and the fact that I was wearing a seat belt helped me survive. This SUV performed as it was supposed to in a collision. Although I have a choice to purchase any SUV I am going to get another Durango because it has been proven to me that it is a safe SUV.

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  kols Caliber experience - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By kol2782 - November 27 - 1:20 am

  I have recently purchased my first new car all on my own and I love my new Caliber. It drives well, has good gas mileage, and looks good. As a young single mother it still gives me my youth, yet gives me all the space and accessories as a mother.

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  Hidden Gold - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By Brennen Graff - November 26 - 2:00 am

  The Stealth is an amazing machine. The first time I laid eyes on one I knew I had to have one. I soon bought a 91 R/T TT. Maybe it is the styling, maybe it is the twin turbocharged 3 liter V6, maybe its the 9000rpm tach, but I love this car. 320 stock horses of muscle. This car, I feel is the best sports car for dollar that you can find, it is often overlooked and no one I have talked to knew what a Stealth was. It should be recognized widely! You have to have one to know exactly what Im talking about, and if you do, Im sure you would agree with me.

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  The Dodge Intrepid - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Naty - November 26 - 2:00 am

  My 96 Intrepid is a wonderful vehicle.Very smooth ride,thanks to its powerful 6 cylinder engine and smooth transmission.It boasts a comfortable interior,very spacious.The fuel efficiency is top notch.I highly recommend this car if youre in the market for a reliable,comfortable,and luxurious sedan.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By wjohnson - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck, big enough to carry my wife and 3 kids. would be nice to have a little more cargo space when the 3rd seat is occupied. Fun to drive and easy to park, unlike my full size blazer and other monster SUVs I driven. I highly recommend.

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  One Awesome Van - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John Christiansen - November 25 - 9:00 pm

  Bought the van in early of 2006 and know wile I am writing this my family and I have put a little over 40,000 miles on the van. It has been great it has not given us a lick of trouble since day one. The thing gets on average 23 to 24 mpg and close to 26 if we do nothing but highway. I guess the K&N air filter helps with that and i would recommend that air filter to anybody who has this van as it does, not only help out fuel mileage, but also gives the 3.8 a tad but more power. My family and I are very happy with this van, the room in this thing is great and the way gas is going up we wont get rid of this thing anytime soon.

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  Im buying another one! - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By KarlP - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Had to buy a used car with high mileage because it was all I could afford. It had 70,000 on it and 2 years later I have 130,000 on it. I put a set of tires on it at Wal-Mart (could not afford another set of Good year Eagles because they dont wear very well). At 100,000 I took it to the dealer and had them change the spark plugs like the manual recommends. All other routine maintenance was done by me, oil and air filters, PCV and brakes etc. NO major repairs needed! The 200 hp motor has plenty of power and gets 30 mpg when cruising at 70! Trading it on a 2001 next week.

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  My Dakota - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By rtt3 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 96 dakota ext. cab and it has done wonders. i can alway rely on it to get me to my destination. It has 117,000 miles and is still running strong. When others fail, this one comes out on top.