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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  One Tough Truck - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By Leadfoot - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this baby with 22K on the odometer. Ive used and abused this truck until just recently. Hauled kids and their stuff to college from Virgina to Maine. Its just 2WD but Ive taken it to some awful spots with my dog to do some great bird hunting. The extended cab is only good for a dog and gear, but who cares. Im trading it in for another Dakota. With 132,000 on the odometer and no major repairs, this baby owes me nothing. If you can get your hands on another like this treasure it.

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  Over 100,00 miles and Still Going Strong - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By LP - October 22 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 1997 Dodge Intrepid new. Love the 3.5 L engine. Lots of pick up. Excellent handling. Had some problems with a fuel leak but the dealer fixed it free.

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  Darn good car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Mullins - October 20 - 9:43 pm

  This is one of the best vehicles I ever owned. We live in upstate NY (snow), and with the AWD we have had no trouble getting around. It is very comfortable on long trips, and a lot of room for stuff. Comfort, performance, a real head turner. We plan on keeping it for a long time. My wife just loves it. I have my 4x4 Dakota, but I have no problem driving the Magnum in bad weather. Thanks

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  My Black Beauty. - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By Lodge - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with only 15,000 miles on it. It was a birthday present to myself. Drove it off the show room floor and have never looked at another car. The only repairs I have had to make on the now 108,000 miles ... is 1 alternator, and the regulator for the drivers side power window.

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  All around good American car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Angel - October 18 - 4:23 am

  I love driving my Caliber. Its very cute but it also has a masculine handsome feel and handle to it. We also own a gas guzzling SUV, so when we went looking for a second car we wanted something safe, fuel efficient, roomy and stylish looking. Also with having 2 toddlers we definitly needed 4 doors with leather. Caliber was our man or woman! Love it

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  very pleased!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By grear car - October 17 - 3:10 pm

  Have owned this veh. for 3 months and I just have to say I LOVE IT! just have very minor issues like one piece of trim needed replacement , just took it to the dealership for an oil change while there they did some tsbs on the harness , there was some squeaking noise coming from the left rear tire, turn out it was the emergency brake cable at the rear suspension just needed some spray lubricant and the noise is gone!The radio location makes sense when you have the NAV (REU) one can rest the hand on the shifted while using the nav controls. VERY PLEASED so far!

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  Dodge Avenger - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Froggie - October 17 - 2:00 am

  We have had good luck with this car. Besides being fun to drive, its sporty without the sporty price. The car has all leather and gadgets not common to some cars. Such as the one touch window rolldown and garage door opener built into the sun visor.

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  8Cyl Auto, Great Truck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Bilbo4fun - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my Dakota slt 8cyl, auto quad cab. Interior has lots of room, have hauled 4 adults and a car seat. Fuel milage was a concern especially with a Magnum V8, but is better than I expected and as I put miles on it (2800 now) its getting better. Average 19MPG. I came close to buying a Tacoma but am glad I got the dakota instead. I have pulled a trailer a couple of times with about 1500# cargo. Didnt even notice the difference in driving with the extra weight.

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  GREAT - 2001 Dodge Viper
  By Chris Mann - October 12 - 2:00 am

  It was great to drive

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  Redline Red Charger - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By mike rippel - October 11 - 8:53 pm

  This is a great car, very comfortable and quick with the 300HP V-6, so far averaging about 24-MPG overall. Love the retro style cues, visibility is good and seats are firm, sports car feel. The car is large by todays standards but handles great. I havent really driven in much bad weather yet, but in rain it didnt skid or slip. The package offers good value, there are only a couple of small things that I didnt really think about buying when I purchased it - since the drivers seat has electric positioning, a his and hers preset would have been helpful. No regrets on my choice, like to get some graphics added to the paint sometime. Its a lot of car to wash and dry, reminded my of my old 76 GMC van after maintaining a Jeep Compass for the last 8-yearsl Dealer support was great on the sale, couldnt ask for more. Looking forward to traveling in it.