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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  Love my Dodge Nitro Shock 2011 - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By KKR - October 9 - 2:00 am

  While gas mileage is not great, driving it is! I feel safe and secure. I have owned my Nitro Shock for about a month and have no complaints so far. I love the hands free phone, the touch screen radio, and the power sunroof. The leather is nice and the seats are very comfortable. Spacious and nicely designed. Power is everything I need, cant wait til winter to try out the 4 wheel drive capabilities! The Dodge Nitro looks like a cross between a jeep, range rover, and a hummer. Love it! It is elegant but tough!

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  Fun to drive - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By Bob - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with the car tight steering smooth shifting 5 speed manual comfortable ride handles the road well a pleasure to drive.

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  Great Car - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Jim - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 2004 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 for the Journey and for the first time in more than 30 years am not driving a pickup. With all seats folded, I can easily carry 8 lumber in the car. On the rare occasion I need to haul more, I use a small utility trailer. In the process, I have a smaller, more economical, and more fun to drive vehicle. The AWD shoud get me through the snow this winter. I went to the dealer expecting to buy a Ford Escape, but left with the Journey. I have not been sorry for a moment I bought the Journey instead. My only real problem is keeping my wife from stealing it and leaving me with her 2008 Taurus (which is a great car, but the Journey is more fun).

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  Not your ordinary Mommy Mobile - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By kiss this - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive a Nissan quest, and I had so many issues with the darn thing, I wanted something that would give me the cargo room, without the bulkiness of an SUV. It is so reliable and at the time of purchase the car facts rated it at a 93% and I have not been disappointed. Everything about this vehicle, screams reliability, youthfulness and practicality!

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  The Beast! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Hemi Srt-8 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start? In two words this car is "a beast"! The combination of the horsepower and torque on this car is ridiculously amazing! Ive been driving this car for about 6 months now & it sill amazes me. Mostly no cars on the road can compete with it (theres only a few that can). Given the aggressive looks on the outside, the blazing speed on this beast, the enormous amount of space in the interior, etc. This car is like no other (its in a class all by itself). Especially when you factor in all the great features and qualities this car has for the amount of money it costs this car is among the elite. I can go on & on about this car but my best advice is to drive one and see for yourself.

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  Fantastic Car - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By wanaya - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car, sunburst orange, for over a month now and all I can say is that it gets better and better. I now go 195 miles on half a tank of gas (mostly because I dont gun the engine and rarely use the a.c.). The cargo room is large, especially with the rear seats folding down. It works well for my business ventures. The interior is very comfortable, but really, all new vehicles are. right? the middle consol does need some extra padding for those long trips. and as another reviewer noted, the chill zone isnt really "chill", definitely something that needs to be perfected, but not a deal breaker. Engine still quiet, no unusual noises, just straight joy.

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  Family mans Sport Truck - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By Norm - September 30 - 2:00 am

  My third Dakota, gave the first one away with 320,000 miles on it, #2 t- boned a Chevy Blazer doing 60 mph (he pulled out, did not see me) front bumper was sitting on the front tires, both front doors still opened and I walked away. It had 265,000 at that time. #3 Had to go to Michigan to find it, Quad Cab, V8, Manual Trans. FUN TO DRIVE. I maintain them well and drive them hard, no major problems from any of them.

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  Excellent, dependable - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By brosun - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought at 39,000. Gave to our son as a wedding present with 165,000 in 7/10. What a car! Best quality American car I have owned in 40 years. Replaced a the water pump myself for $30 at 120K. Washers never worked, corroded pump but I dont think I washed the windshield by hand once a year! Absolutely nothing to complain about. Comfortable to ride in. Plenty of power, roomy, exterior was like showroom when we let it go after 7 years. Engine and transmission superb. ps: NEVER allow anything but Chrysler ATF 4 or 5 in your car. You WILL have transmission problems. Youve been warned! This Caravan raised the bar for any future cars I should buy!

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  The best car Ive owned - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dusty-1 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Im approaching 140K and Ive replaced the brakes and tires only once (due for both now). This car has a very smooth and quiet ride. I can only imagine that I will soon need to replace my battery, alternator, serpentine belt or something but knock on wood its been solid as a rock. Ive traveled 2600 miles pulling a trailer with two ATVs and multiple other long distance vacations and have had great luck. I will drive this one until it dies. If you change your oil and fluids regularly you should have no problems. My engine does not burn any oil and does not have any leaks to this point.

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  A car to have. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Miguel - September 26 - 2:00 am

  I wanted one since the first day I saw it (had audi a6 biturbo quattro at that moment). Got it. The vehicle is superb, gives so much pleasure while driving. Been very reliable, never gave me any trouble whatsoever. Parts are inexpensive. Gets compliments all the time from both men and women. Exceeded my expectations in terms of interior quality. I put leather with blue stitches on top of a dashboard and all leather/alcantara steering wheel which made the interior look really expensive. Truly amazing American little muscle car. Nobody believes its that cheap! Overall a fantastic car for this money. I am very happy to own one. Its really sad Daimler Chrysler decided to kill this model.