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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  Excellent car for the price - so far - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By John - October 30 - 6:06 am

  We have owned the vehicle for about a year and have been very happy and impressed with it. The only disappointment is that it ate up the front brakes in 20,000 miles.

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  I love my car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Intrepid fan - October 29 - 4:06 pm

  Bought this car in 2002 and have been very happy with it. Kids were still little and with all the storage room, it was the perfect family vehicle. Also handy that you can fit a full size bicycle in the trunk! Now kids are both 6 with long legs and all that leg room in the back is a bonus. No complaints from backseaters even with the front seats reclined. I drive this car everywhere, city and long highway. I havent had this much fun driving a car since I owned my 67 Camaro. Husband does all the mantainence and the engine is a dream to get to. I wish they were still making this particular styling, only with the better motor. We have the 2.7 and sadly, it is now going.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By CA Snyder - October 29 - 10:37 am

  I bought this truck in 2002 and it had 11,200 miles on it. Ive owned a lot of trucks both foriegn and domestic, and this is a great truck. Other than normal wear and tear there have been no problems. I replaced rotors, brake pads and changed transmission fluid and filter at 58,000 miles.

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  Buy one, you will love it - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By paul - October 28 - 3:31 pm

  I drive mostly highway and I am getting about 20-21 MPG on the highway. I love this truck, Its the first truck I have ever owned. I only wish I would have gotten the V8. I like the V6. I would go out and buy another Dodge and not think twice about it. I have not had one problem with it and I have 12,300 mile on it.

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  FINALLY DONE WITH CHRYSLER - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bellguy - October 28 - 1:52 pm

  Bought this van new in 2005, has been a great hauler for grandkids and big stuff. In 80000 miles, it went thru 3 sets of front brakes and 2 sets of rear brakes, the original tires lasted 28000 miles. Cooer GS4 have lasted 52000 mi. in the last year the sliding doors have decided to rust on the bottom and the rear fender wells have also started. The 3.8 motor has used a quart of oil every 1500 miles since 47000 mi. replaced the turn signal switch 2 times. Final thing the driver side spring broke the other day, never had a car do that. very dangerous. with the rust not sure its worth repairing. Worst of 4 vans.

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  Excellent Fullsize Sedan - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By 3Moparz - October 27 - 2:02 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used one year ago and have put 19,000 miles on it since then. Absolutely no problems whatsover. Great handling on dry, wet, and snowy roads. Very good fuel economy (24MPG average communting in town). 3.5L motor is a true workhorse, with lots of power if you need it, but quiet cruising at 85MPH on the interstate. More room inside than the new Charger. I expect this car to give me at least 100,000 more miles without a problem.

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  Needs a little work - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Sammie - October 26 - 7:44 pm

  I love this car. Very sporty but still a family car. The only problem is my car had only a little over 14,000 miles on it and the block cracked. Its something that is happening to a lot of them.

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  Statisfied Magnum Owner - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By mopar - October 26 - 6:08 pm

  Purchased Mag R/T used, second owner, with approx 19,000 miles. It runs great, currently has 24,000. So far no problems except for engine light. No steering, handling problems. No weird sounds. Very satisfied. Mileage could be better, but what do you expect, its a Hemi. Great pickup on interstates.

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  Its OK, but.... - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By KVY - October 26 - 5:40 pm

  Came from a 2005 Town & Country to the SXT. Yes, it has many extras, but you need to have a masters degree in engineering to figure out the VES system. The features like heating/cooling way too complicated to operate, whatever happened to simple on/off and for the DVD, point the remote and go, you have to set channels, set modes, enough already. My kids have better plastic than what is used for the interior. I just got it and am counting down the days on the lease when I can return it. If you are used to using rear view mirrors, etc when backing up, keep doing so, the backup camera is not all its cracked up to be

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  Love my Journey but - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Susan - October 25 - 3:56 am

  Bought my Journey over a month ago. Love the way it looks, love the way it drives. got it in green. Everything works good , except for that strange noise that occurs when turning left. Went to the dealership and was told they havent had any complaints about it. Not sure what it is but I sure hope my doesnt fall off. So far the gas mileage is good, but havent taken a long trip yet. Not really loving the plastic interior though.