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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  Loving my new Durango more everyday!! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By BOX in IL - January 5 - 10:24 pm

  I recently purchased an 06 Durango SLT 4x4. I was driving a 04 Infiniti G35 coupe. Needless to say it was a huge change. After getting used to stepping up instead of stepping down, I have found that I am loving my new Durango more and more everyday. I test drove many SUVs ranging from small ones like the Mitsubishi Outlander, and the large ones. The Durango has all the fun and appeal of of a larger SUV with the handling of the small ones. I was sold on the test drive. Gas mileage is so so, but what do you respect this the size of this car. The interior is very nice and the exterior is styling. My only complaint would be to add a couple of little features.

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  Dodge Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By GPinnell - January 5 - 2:53 pm

  Fun car except very loud rear end noise after 16000 miles. Makes driving very loud. Well laid out interior but inane design of passenger dash lift up compartment. Beverage cooler functionally useless. Snow in wheels equals very unbalanced tires.

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  Best car I have ever bought - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Jakey - January 5 - 6:31 am

  This car has all the toots and whistles of a sports car. It also has plenty of function in its storage and passenger capacity. Lots of room and lots of voom! I love it!

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  Never buy a dodge - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dodge..NEVER - January 5 - 4:56 am

  Horrible....horrible ....horrible. Bought the van used in 2002. Has 3.3ltr, engine was just replaced when I bought it, had to replace it a year later at $1500.00. That was the "deal" I got. Now, engine gone again!! Contacted Dodge and they said basically...too bad too sad. Will NEVER buy from the company again.

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  Its OK - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By tg - January 4 - 11:53 pm

  The first weekend we owned the Journey the brake module went out and then during service found the cv boot was torn and about 2 months ago had to have the wrieless ignition or whatever it is replaced. Overall though it has been a good vehicle and the service has been great. Havent paid for a service yet nearing 11000 miles. MPG can get up there as long as your not in traffic but thats any. Got it based on room being we have two full sized dogs that ride in the back(no thrid row). Tranny whines a little too loud i think. But its quiet for the most part.

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  poor quality - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Maz - January 4 - 4:23 pm

  Very comfortable and versatile. Served us well with two teens through college, however constant maintenance was costly and inconvenient. Another example of good basic design but poor materials and engineering of components, especially persistent problems with A/C, Transmission, Alternator, Belts, Wipers, Brakes, Spare Tire, Liftback and Radiator. Other than those things, it ran fine ; )

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  Good in the snow not in the show - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Ken - January 4 - 6:46 am

  When I initially purchased this vehicle I did not care for the interior, however I kept telling myself it is for the wife! And this was her choice! interior is low grade plasics that retain dirt! sheet metal is thin! almost that of a 70s japenese import and seats are extremely uncomfortable! exterior body style is on target, resembling its older more durable sibling the "Charger",

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  I love this van - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By wking309 - January 4 - 2:18 am

  I never thought I would like a minivan, but once I got my hands on my Caravan, I fell in love. For a car with over 100,000 miles, it is very reliable, still has plenty of power, and is great to drive. This car is plenty powerful for getting me around town, and it doesnt kill me at the pump compared to my old truck. The only things I dont like about it are the slightly rough idle, and how heavy the back seats are. It kills my back having to move those by myself a lot of times.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By John Ussery - January 3 - 11:50 pm

  This car reminds me of the Volkswagon Jetta, people kept them for years. The only difference is that the Caliber is a lot bigger and roomier. If you get the 5-speed, manual transmission and the 1.8L engine, you wont have any acceleration problems and youll get great milleage. I get over 400 miles per tank (13.5 gallons) city and highway average. If you get the fold-down front seat option youve got a vehicle for car camping. The car has a lot of front leg room; Im 65" tall and I am very comfortable (when the seat is all the way back, there probably isnt a lot of rear leg room. The only noise I hear is when Im on old, degraded pavement.

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  My Car - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By donna - January 3 - 5:32 pm

  This is my second Intrepid. It now has 72,000 miles and i have never had a problem. other than regular services, new tires, and windshield wipers I have not spent anything on repairs.it has been a great car.