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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  Touch of Exotic Class - 2006 Dodge Viper
  By WINSTON LAXAMANA - September 13 - 7:31 pm

  When first looking at it, it seems to be too wild. I never expected it to be very pleasant and smooth, but it is very, very comfortable as far as the shifter and the way the angles of mechanisms are placed. It has a very nice smooth tone to its speed. The cornering is excellent. I used to have an M3, never felt happy with it, now I am very happy with my Viper. I havent come across one like my car. It is fast. I went up over 60 miles per hour just in second gear. The critics are wrong, maybe they are too old to drive this beast of the road

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  Great Car - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Dublin89 - September 13 - 5:37 pm

  I bought my Stratus SE 4cy a little over a month ago, and so far Im very pleased. Im getting about 28mpg, and thats with mixed driving from highway and city. The only things I have had troubles with so far is about a week after I bought the car, the engine light came on and they cant find the problem. The car still runs great.

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  Ho Hum - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Dave - September 12 - 12:53 pm

  Previously owned an 01 RT Coupe. It was a much superior ride. The 04 RT Sedan 5 speed manual is extremely noisy. The transmission sounds like a sewing machine, and even at 70 mph on the highway it is still prevalent. The 2.7 Magnum is efficient, but nothing to excite an enthusiast. This would be a good soccer mom car. Cant wait to be rid of it.

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  2007 Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Joe - September 9 - 8:13 pm

  Purchased the Caliber last week, and so far so good. Got the SXT and am pleased with the cars performance as compared to my Neon. The only negative so far is the sound system. Its adequate,(especially when playing a CD), but thats about it. Also, be sure to ask for mats as they are not included on many models. The Caliber handles well, but is a bit sluggish accelerating. The front seats have a nice height adjuster and all the storage compartments are nice as well. However if you slide the armrest forward there is little room to use the 2nd cup holder. Overall, Im pleased and would recommend the Caliber. If it lasts as long as the Neon that will be great.

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  Third Dodge SLT Hemi 2WD - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By dodge owner - September 9 - 10:30 am

  This is my third Dodge product. This 2006 Durango is the best vehicle so far. Love the Hemi, and mileage is actually better than the Ram 1500. Currently close to 3000 miles and 300 mile highway trip rated 20.9. Wife also likes better than truck, easier to drive and ride is fantastic. For the money, 8 seats and Hemi, no other choice.

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  Roomy Wreck - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Wallace - September 8 - 3:55 pm

  The car has been OK. It is very roomy in both front and back seats, and has a huge trunk. The mileage is pretty good. Have had several problems with the brakes and sensors. It does ride good on road trips.

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  My 2004 Stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By rob - September 7 - 3:12 am

  I bought my car to save on gas, and I really do. Its fun to drive and reliable, So far I am extremely happy the only thing that has failed was the resistor for the blower motor, and it was only $10 at a local salvage yard, and took 10 mins to fix as well.

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  Dakota is the best truck out there - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By rayray0622 - September 7 - 1:01 am

  I had a Chevy Silverado regular cab with the 350 5.7 small block, and my Dakota is much faster and hauls better. It has been nothing but a pleasure having this truck. I like to go to the beach and ride my quad, I was doing circles around other trucks that got stuck in the sand. My Dakota with a load in the back made it easily through the sand.

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  Fantastic Value For The Money - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By sfriend - September 7 - 12:33 am

  I have read other reviews here and I have to say that most of the complaints about the Journey are just absurd and elementary. Most all brands have plastic interiors,power wise this is not a sports car,we are consistently getting 18mpg in town and 25mpg highway. As far as transmission problems,we have have not experienced any,but thats not to say there arent a few. As I drive around town I cant help notice all of the well marked courtesy vehicles from Mercedes, BMW,Acura and Lexus. Why do your think they are out there? Its not because they are getting an oil change! Most All brands have issues & recalls. We have the SXT model. Overall we feel the Journey is a fantastic value for the money.

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  Suprising Good Car - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By tarfman - September 6 - 10:03 pm

  Very cheap to buy. I bought for $4000 under NADA retail 4 years ago. The 2.5 V6 is far better then the 4 cyl. No major problems and very reliable. I have made no repairs to engine or transmission in 60k miles. Although the side cover on the tranny has leaked the entire time and required about a quart every year. I have replaced the outer tie-rod ends twice. I enjoy driving the car and the fuel economy is OK. The leather seats are falling apart. I apply conditioner regularly but they are cracked and tearing. Overall I am very happy. I bought it cheap and it has been very reliable. I did not expect to be so happy with a Dodge.