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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  My new baby - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Sara2racy4u - October 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my first real new car and I love it. this car has a great look to it

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  Dakota Quad 4x4 with 4.7l V8 - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Maryland Driver - October 10 - 2:00 am

  After looking at the Ford Explorer Sport-Trac and other quad cabs, this is definately the BEST (even better than the Toyota!). Plenty of power with the 4.7l V8 (but gas milage is only acceptable). Fun to drive, very comfortable for family of 4. Great quality control (due to Mercedes Benz) and I got it $10,000 cheaper than a F- 150 SuperCrew! Great dealer (Fitzgerald Auto Mall) and I am very happy with Dodges customer relations! Highly Recommended if this is the type of vehicle you need!

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  Modern Muscle Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ted Hamlin - October 9 - 3:40 am

  This car has the illusion of a late 60s muscle car. The power, performance and feel are a whole lot better. Not only is this car the most fun I have ever driven, it is a real eye catcher. Try stepping out of the Charger RT in any parking lot without having someone ask you how you like it or make some kind of comment about it.

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  2001 Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By rockymtndurango - October 9 - 2:00 am

  30,000 miles and its like new. The interior is very comfortable and luxurous. The leather 8 way heated, adjustable seats are very nice, and for long drives - very comfy. Its attractive and well insulated from outside sounds. The sound system is excellent. On the downside - gas mileage is low (although the tank is good size). The back liftgate is too hard to bring down, and for as large as it is, a van would have more room for the family. The dealer experience sucked - worst I ever had.

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  A definite step up - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jeff Majtyka - October 8 - 12:53 pm

  I have three boys under 8 and this is a definite step up from our Ford Taurus. We have so much room and the kids love it. We can go places now that we never could in the car with the 5 of us. I come from a solid Ford family, but Ford could not match what Dodge could offer in the Grand Caravan. Even dad (Me) likes to take it for just running errands and dont feel girly. Ford who??

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  Perfect 10 baby - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By adam - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable, never fails to please me. Never found a surface of road that the tires wouldnt turn over from. Its a real head turner.

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  Great Little car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By NJGUY - October 7 - 2:00 pm

  Ive had the car since February. Handling is excellent, car is just fun to drive. The styling is edgy enough to make it stand out. The inferno red doesnt hurt either. Shortcomings are the rear visibility when backing up, you really have to get used to it. The other thing is I upgraded to the 6 disc nav system, dont do it. You lose the MP3 input and it just really isnt user friendly on the music side. Had I known I would have stuck with the standard radio and CD and bought a Tom Tom. Other than that, the car has been good.

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  Wishing we could keep it! - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Brett - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been such a joy. With the available 5.9L we had it matches even with the 1500 series with torque and BHP and it cost on average $8,000 less. Im 64" and I feel comfortable in the rear seats. The back doors have a full 90 degree opening which make getting in and out a breeze. The ride and comfort is so car like its unreal. The only down fall that you must live with is the fuel economy or there lack of. But with all that engine it something I can live with.

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  Wishing we could keep it! - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By brett - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been such a joy. With the available 5.9L we had it matches even with the 1500 series with torque and BHP and it cost on average $8,000 less. Im 64" and I feel comfortable in the rear seats. The back doors have a full 90 degree opening which make getting in and out a breeze. The ride and comfort is so car like its unreal. The only down fall that you must live with is the fuel economy or there lack of. But with all that engine it something I can live with.

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  Can go faster for cheaper - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By T Jackson - October 6 - 10:00 am

  This car land Dodge smack in the middle of the "Tuner" market. In a scramble for cheap speed, some of the other manufacturers have forgoten just that. For example, your Subarus wrxs and your Mitsubishis lancer evos. You may be able to go faster, but you wont be able to go faster for cheaper. There isnt a car out there in the $20k range that even compares to this little pocket rocket. If you find one, dont hesitate to buy it, as that would be the best buy on the planet. Dodge has also given it one of the longest warranties out there. 7yrs/70k miles. Lets see the competition top that..... Go american muscle......