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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  Meet Babe, the Blue Ox. - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By sailorbeavis - January 18 - 5:51 pm

  Got this Pearl Water Blue SE with a two-tone interior in March 2010 as a work truck. It replaced a 2006 Caravan. Dodge made some improvements and fell short in others. The van handles better thanks to bigger tires and minor suspension improvements, but the 3.3L engine is a dog coupled to the four-speed transmission. If I had a choice I wouldve gone for the 3.8L; you are not going anywhere fast in this van. Once up to speed its reasonably stout and stable, and road noise is minimal. I love the Stow n Go and the additional storage places, but the cheap plastic on this car inside and out scratches/marks easily and is not as nice-looking as my old van, nor is it holding up as well.

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  Horrible Car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Janice - January 18 - 1:34 pm

  I am constantly having to take this car into the shop for brakes to get fixed over and over again. My Insurance told me that they had to raise my insurance because of the type of car. They said if I was ever involved in an accident the car would pretty much be totaled because it was made cheap. I also though having a smaller car would mean better gas, boy was I wrong. I am trying to get rid of it ASAP. For anyone looking, do not buy, it is terrible.

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  For the Kids - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By 4theKIDS - January 18 - 12:46 pm

  I haul football players all the time. This SUV has been to LA four times in two months with a load of kids and lots of equipment. I love the ride. The teenagers do not have a problem in the third row, nor is there a complaint as I got this SUV at the same price as I purchased a 2005 Honda Accord. I do wish the fuel was better. I have the low end SUV, but still have all power and room for 7! I must also state that I am a real estate agent, and this SUV may not have been one of the high end utilities that my peers have but I look just as good!

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Carby w/ SXT - January 17 - 11:22 pm

  Perfect vehicle. Roomy and safe for family. Fun to drive and cool as well The 3.5L HO V6 has plenty to motivate this car and decent fuel mileage for so much power and torque. The 5 speed tranny (Mercedes sourced) is silky smooth and the auto-stick is fun when you feel like taking a little more control. I want to drive this car forever.

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  My Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By idengale - January 17 - 10:40 pm

  has towing pkg which gives it slow acceleration, poor gas milage(14mpg, a little stiff but fun to drive. really tight turning radius very easy to manipulate in traffic, roomy.

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  Dodge Grand Caravan SE - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By thats a dodge! - January 17 - 6:03 pm

  This is a very sharp minivan. Ive had it for a week so far and my wife and I love it! I’m not impressed too much with the acceleration too much when passing, but the engine still has to break in. I researched the 0 to60 for this van and it was over 10sec

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  This ones mine, get your own - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Hemi Gal - January 17 - 3:04 pm

  My husband and I have never owned a new car before the SRT8. We couldnt find anything good enough, until now. I find myself looking for excuses to go to town, just so I can drive this wonderful car. I love everything from the kicker audio system to the 20" wheels! The trunk space is massive and the interior is roomy enough for 6+ tall individuals and the handling is better than a tiny sports car in so many ways. I dont even mind the extra weight, it makes it feel so stable. The brilliant black crystal pearl paint just makes this car that much more eye catching. This car truly turns everyones head where ever I go!

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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By trcaldwell - January 16 - 10:18 pm

  When my family bought the new Dodge Durango we knew we made the right choice. The Hemi engine and the aggressive styling are definite pluses. The only area of concern for our family in downsizing was the passenger room. In our Durango we have the two-seater third row and it is the most spacious and comfortable third row that we have seen in comparing vehicles, moreso even than that of the Ford Expedition (2004), Chevrolet Tahoe, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoya, or even the Chevrolet Suburban. The only drawback that we came across was that when we pile six of us into the car for a road trip there is no room for our bags. So on every long trip we had to put a cargo carrier on the top and back.

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  Avoid at allcosts - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By BadLands - January 16 - 2:38 pm

  I love the look and feel of the Durango. Unfortunately, like its predecessor models, the new Durango is laden with all sorts of electrical issues. It contains a slew of "modules". Once these start to fail, you have a lemon on your hands. And once its out of warranty, forget getting help from the dealership. They dont want to honor their own warranty and the parent company turns a deaf ear to customers, claiming they cannot control dealers.

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  Not for the weak or timid - 1995 Dodge Viper
  By has venom - January 16 - 11:18 am

  This car is a blast to drive! Always gets looks and smiles. Do not buy this car if you are shy. Also, do not buy this car if you are an inexperienced driver. Tons of power and gobs of tourqe may be a handful if youre not used to it. This car is not friendly with bad weather. Do not reccomend driving in the rain. Stock top and side windows are not the best. Also be ready for every teenager in a Camaro or Mustang want to race(and a couple of adults in Porsches). The stock radio sounds like a tin can. I leave mine off and listen to the mucic of my 488 cube V-10. This is the most fun car Ive had - definitely a toy.