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:

• 

  Needs Subtle Changes - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Jim Farmer - December 28 - 10:33 am

  The SRT8 Magnum is a thrill to drive and brings back muscle car excitment! As your heartbeat increases and your palms get moist, you accelerate from a complete stop, the G-forces press you into the seat and you smile as the speedometer eclipses the century mark in under 13 seconds. The highly bolstered seat holds you comfortably in place as you execute corners like youre glued to the road. This automobile is also practical because you can take along three passengers and their luggage with ease. I would recommend you at least test drive a SRT8 vehicle before you buy anything else!

• 

  Heavenly - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By StealthTT - December 27 - 7:46 pm

  I bought my Pearl white 92 Stealth R/T TT from a Dodge fanatic. The price was to good to let it pass me up. With upkept maintience and a few "tasteful" mods, this car has smoked Corvettes and the like. This car is "godly". If your driving style is "easy going" and youre not going to race it or anything of the sort, Ive heard of of them going for 170,000 miles before anything to big needed repairs. But if youre like me and many others, about 8-90000 miles youll be needing some money for repairs, lots of money. But the Stealth R/T TT is worth every penny. Ive invested more time and money into this car than Ill admit. I have had no regrets. Best super car ever!

• 

  2006 Dodge Caravan SXT - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Lee - December 27 - 12:33 pm

  This is our #2 Dodge Caravan. My husband bought a 2000 Dodge Caravan and loved it so much he would not let me drive it. There was a fight every time I wanted to drive it. So, when we finally got it paid for, I bought one for myself. I love it! If this one performs as well as the 2000, I will be very happy.

• 

  Love my Stratus. - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By W Earp - December 27 - 6:49 am

  I bought my Status off the line. Great car! Have had very little trouble in over 62k miles. Only had a tire rod break on front right tire. It was under warranty. And now my blower 1-3 is out. Not too bad for over 3 years of owership. Just bad at Christmas.

• 

  Family mans sprts car - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By lovemesomesrt8 - December 27 - 12:52 am

  When you need a car that can haul and haul your stuff this is it. A true sleeper. I stepped up from a SRT4 and never looked back. If only it had the 300C interior and a bigger rumble out the exhaust. You have to go with black as your color choice. It looks so mean in black. Uses a lot of gas but what 6.1L station wagon doesnt? Ride is smooth and seats are great for long trips. Easy to drive with a great turn radius. U-turns are a breeze. Stops on a dime and handles better than most cars on the road. If you can afford a SRT8 go for it.

• 

  Not a good car - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Frankie - December 24 - 7:22 pm

  I guess I should not have expected much when buying this car. Nothing special about it not even the mileage. The engine has horrible responsiveness and handles like a boat.

• 

  Duraaaango! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Badlands - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This is THE SUV folks. Sure, some people will swear by the newer design of the Ford Explorer, but lets face it - at the end of the day the Dodge Durango is an SUV - a truck with style and functionality. The Explorer has just turned one step closer to being a car lifted up a bit to look like a truck. Not that the Explorer is bad but its sort of dainty compared to the Durango. The Durango handles great off-road and in 4 wd for snow and mud. Its interior is clean and crisp and it has a solid feel all about. The leather seats are comfortable. Its just a solid sporty rig!

• 

  LOVE MY JOURNEY!!! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By DodgeGirl09 - December 23 - 3:43 pm

  I really havent had it that long, but I must say, for a crossover, you really get a lot of features and extras for teh price. It has a lot more leg room that it looks like from the outside. Drives smooth, and handles very well. I have seen in other reviews that customers were not happy with the way thinterior is made, that it is too cheap, but I disagree. Yes, its not a lexus, but for a mom driving her 5 yr old, and 17 yr old around, it is very sturdy and functional. Its easy to clean, and takes the abuse that my boys have to offer (LOL). Its also very easy to fold the seats down, or scooter them forward, very user friendly for a mom on the go!

• 

  Think twice before buying another dodge - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By CL - December 23 - 12:10 am

  Bought this car in December 2008, went for a weekend in Moncton and got stuck on the highway came back in a towing truck we had the car for a month and the problem began. Went for a oil change, they told us that the tires need to be rotate what a joke they forgot to tied the last tire and we lost a tire on the road good thing we were not on the highway. After that then came another major problem we couldnt start the car sometime it start and sometime it didnt they change everything on it from the battery, computer, cable and the last one is that there is a leak of oil in the motor. No way there gonna sell me another Dodge I SHOULD HAVE READ THE REVIEW BEFORE BUYING

• 

  Dodge Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By TOM - December 22 - 4:42 pm

  The most comfortable car to drive on a trip. Has plenty of get up and go for a 6 cylinder. I love my Magnum.