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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  Wonderful Classy Car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Beyswife - September 6 - 8:30 am

  I was looking for an SUV and decided to check out the Dodge Nitro. Didnt like the ride at all, too hard. Noticed the Avenger on the lot and thought it looked classy. Test drove it and unexpectantly fell in love..Purchased on a whim, on the spot. Love this vehicle!

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  A/C is NOT Blowing Cold - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Mad Dad - September 6 - 4:03 am

  I bought this USED from a Chevy dealer and everything was fine until yesterday when I tried to use the A/C. It was hot & I thought it was just taking longer to cool. I was wrong, its not blowing cold! My warranty expired on 6/13. I do not have an extended warranty and only have 3 mo / 3,000 mi which I would have to pay 50/50 with the dealer which expired on 6/13. Is there anything a Chrysler dealer will do for me? I refuse to put out money on a 2 year old car with only 40,000 mile on it.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By sjkearney - September 5 - 7:53 pm

  I bought the car in 1997 used with 19,000 miles and its still running strong at 160,000. Ive never even changed the transmission fluid! The engine is still strong and has never had any mechanical issues except normal wear and tear. In fact, it still has the original exhaust system! I wish they never stopped making them. Unfortunately its time to retire the old girl. Im selling to my niece.

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  Pretty decent little car. - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By BPatches701 - September 5 - 3:09 pm

  Ive got this car a while ago from a private party and after putting a new radiator, transmission filter, and spark plugs in it, I havent had any other promlems other than the odometer doesnt work the a/c needs recharged (takes the r12) and the "high" on the blower switch quit about a month ago. All other speeds work. The gas mileage is pretty bad though. I get around 10 in town and 15 on the highway :(

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  Poor Quality From Dodge - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Todd - September 5 - 9:00 am

  Theres a reason why GM and Chrysler are in economic trouble. My 2005 Grand Caravan sums it up. 1. Tie rods failed at 31000 miles, not covered by warranty, $350 cost. 2. Tie rods failed again at 68000 miles, $350 cost. 3. At 55000 miles fluid started leaking into rack and pinion boots. Caused engine (transmission?) to sound aweful. Replaced rack and pinion parts. $950 cost. 4. At 43,000 heating coil fried and had to be replaced. $250 cost. 5. Car has been recalled/inspected/fixed 4 or 5 times. 6. Dealer has 15K, 30K, 45K, and 60K mileage service plans, priced at 225, 400, 550, 700. Who pays that kind of money for routine service? A Joke compared to my past Toyota or Honda!

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  Dodge Spirit R/T - 1991 Dodge Spirit
  By Old Dave - September 4 - 7:53 pm

  This year I used this car for business travel about 125 miles/day about 4 days each week. Car performed very well in all types of weather including snow and ice. I had winter tires on it. It would do 30-31 mpg at 75 mph all day long. Very quick and good handling, never boring to drive. It is possibly the best all around car I have ever owned. I would buy another with no hesitation if I could find a nice one. One shows up on eBay from time to time. I keep watching.

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  great mini van - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By marti5 - September 3 - 9:15 pm

  I bought my Grand Caravan brand new in 06. I now have 108,000 on it. I have just replaced the radiator and a water pump about 10,000 miles ago. We had to change a sensor out at about 90,000 miles. Other than those things this van has been great. Stow and go seating is awesome. I have never been stranded in this vehicle. You will always have to replace some parts here and there but I know this caravan has many more miles to go.

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  FuntoDrive - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By BLKCHARGER805 - September 3 - 11:56 am

  Its all good. It goes, but with 250hp you might as well made it 300hp for the 3.5L and used the 250 for the 2.4L V6. The rearview mirror is a little too far away to adjust. For $23,000 the 3.5L V6 SE could have at least gotten some aluminum wheels instead of plastic covers.

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  Nice for the Price - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Faustino Ramirez - September 2 - 9:06 pm

  Ive driven mine for 2 weeks. Great exterior. Got it instead of the compass. The car is very versatile. Im able to haul big packages from IKEA and Home Depot with no problem. My friends love it. I got the Inferno Red color with the music gate system. The 6 disk stereo does not have an aux audio jack. That stinks, but the great sound system makes up for it. I love the fold down speakers. Needs more power and pickup. The CVT is not very responsive, but it is OK for commuting. I drive about 60 miles a day and MPG is about 22. I do step on it a lot! I would like a bigger gas tank so I dont have to make 2 trips to the gas station a week. A lot of hard plastics in interior, needs cushoned arm rests.

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  Bought Used, Wrecked Once, Still Keeping - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By redhight - September 2 - 7:00 pm

  1st SUV, 1st Dodge. Tow pkg, 5.9 eng, w/23k miles. Drove everywhere on/offroad, towed trailer, horse, moving van. Lowered the back seats and hauled firewood, hay, camping gear. Rearended a 1-ton p-up 4 yrs ago, got it fixed and shes fine! Loaned it out to friends and family, too. Just under 130k miles now. Needs tie-rod, ball joint, front end align and heater-core replacement. Except for gas mileage woes, virtually no maintenance on this Durango but oil/radiator fluid changes and brakes. Drove at avg. speeds of 65+ After 7 yrs its still going with less than $4k in repairs? Is there a problem? Nope. Will pass it to my daughter when Im done.