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:

• 

  Big Blue - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Shawn Tolin - November 20 - 2:49 pm

  Love everything about this car!!!

• 

  A blast to drive. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SDWE61988 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  This thing is a rocket. Everyone I have taken for a test drive says the same thing. "Oh my god!". I have teken a couple Corvette owners and Mustang owners. They all very impressed with the acceration. This car is the best bang for the buck value around in my opinion. While the Viper style seats are tight, They are comfortable. I think the interier is just as good as the imports, dispite all the critics comments. I would recomend this car to anyone who is looking for a fun vehicle.

• 

  Magnificent - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By beergut9000 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  The magnum has everything you would want in a wagon. IT is very comfortable for both the people who are driving and the kids in the back. THis car is fun to drive because of the power under the hood (even though I did not get the Hemi the magnum still preformes perfectly). Even though this car is a wagon it is great. Most people think of wagons being uncool but the magnum chages all of that. Also the magnum is the wagon version of the chrysler 300. I got this car instead because of its looks rear leg room comfort ant its big trunk. if you want a car with a perfect 10 the magnum is for you.

• 

  The Best Minivan- For a Reason - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By nomoreodysseyforme - November 16 - 10:00 am

  The Dodge Grand Caravan is the best minivan, period. And if youre thinking Odyssey, think of this: Three months ago, we bought an Odyssey EX that gave 3 problems in the 2 months of ownership. We traded it in for a Grand Caravan eX, and LOVE it! NO mechanical problems. The G.C. cost $4000 less, and comes with MORE features! The power liftgate and doors are so useful with the kids, and the sound system quality is incredible, and it can search for different types of music (jazz, pop, etc.) This van has 20 more cubic feet of room compared to the Honda, it drives 10 times better and is 10 times quieter. P.S: The only van with no soccer mom stigma.

• 

  fell in love when we test drove it - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By ROBS MAGNUM - November 13 - 10:00 am

  We went to test drive one. we were looking for a new vehicle for my wife as her intrepid was getting alot of miles on it.got in the black rt at the dealership feel in love with the car got back from the test drive and bought it for my wife and kids.now im going to get me one as my wife wont let me drive hers because i have a habit of smoking the tires which is very easy to do in the rt.this car is awesome its a must have vehicle just be prepared to answer alot of questions from people every time you stop

• 

  LOVE MY DURANGO - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By KENNY N - November 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my first SUV and I love it. Sorry I waited so long to buy one. It handles great and my wife loves it. The ride is so smooth and the engine (HEMI) is so responsive. It is so quick I have to be careful not to accelerate to fast. When I first drove it it scared me!! What a great SUV! I cannot say enough about it and everybody loves the way it looks. I almost bought a RAM 1500 Laramie. Boy am I glad I bought the Durango.

• 

  05 Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By bailee - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Runs faster than a speeding bullet! Handles well and great ride for vehicle this size.

• 

  NICE TRUCK - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By JERRY P. - November 13 - 10:00 am

  WISH IT HAD A 5 SPEED TRAM

• 

  The Dodge Nitro is good for Teens too - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By bill - November 8 - 8:16 am

  Im an 18 year old guy and got this for my birthday and I love this car. Its cool looking, smooth driving, nice for passengers, and my girlfriends all love it, oh and its fast and fun in the snow especially since i got the fourwheel drive model. I love them. I only think they should change the seat panel on the driver and passenger seat. Im six, four, three hundred pounds and I get caught on that plastic piece. Other than that its great!

• 

  A lot for the money - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By homerkc - November 8 - 12:48 am

  We have 3,500 mi. on our van and it has exceeded many expectations. We took a 2000 mi trip shortly after buying (only 500 break-in miles) and saw 28mpg on the interstate. We can get 20mpg around town (suburban driving) if we watch what were doing. Very comfortable seats and ride, plenty of power, and the flexibility of the stow n go always amazes. For a very reasonable mid-20s price, its a lot of car that can do a lot of things (like haul 2 new exterior doors from Home Depot) without any fuss. Once you have had that capability at your disposal, it would be hard to give it up.