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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  2004 Dodge Durango/5.7L Hemi - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By cmccfp - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I own a 1998 Durango and always enjoyed driving it. But, the 2004 5.7L Durango with Hemi and L package is driving heaven. This vehicle is responsive, comfortable, drives like a fine automobile, is loaded with features and just looks great.

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  Awesome - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By mcoon - August 27 - 9:08 pm

  I have always liked the Durango. I purchased one a week ago and just love my Durango. It has the best ride and is very quiet and smooth. The SLT model is great. I just cant say enough about the handling. Its like a hot knife going through butter, very smooth. Dodge has come along way with the Durango. Its the best ride in town.

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  dodge rule - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By desiree - August 27 - 2:00 am

  i think that the car is porfect the way it is. thanks for making such a great car

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  SXT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By TheCube17 - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I got this car in August, and have put about 15k miles on it so far and im only in april. but this car is BLAST! passing cars is easy and i love to here that engine scream entering from a onramp. the only bad thing i have notice is wind noise when all the windows are up, and road noise, espically in rain.

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  Tuner Friendly - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By davidicus - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I have 7000miles on mine. All in 5 months, I cant stop driving it and I love it more everyday. I am a tuner and I feel like the car was aimed at me. I have swapped out performance parts with ease as if it was made for them. I am putting out 280whp on the dyno and making 13.3 quarter miles passes all day with $700 in performance modification. My engine warranty is surely voided however this engine is so strong I am hardly worried. Normal drivers will never break this car.

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  All this under $20,000 WOW! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Jeanette007 - August 27 - 2:00 am

  They only problem Ive had with my car is the alignment, which was fixed by the dealer at no charge.

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  Durango eats gas - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By tommie - August 26 - 8:43 am

  Have my durango , no problem this suv eats gas otherwise fun to drive ,comfortable

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  My Dodge - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Falveys - August 26 - 6:47 am

  Our first trip was to Florida from Connecticut, about 1400 miles. We averaged 20 mpg using 89 octane and speeds set at 72 mph (cruise control) The doors leak air and cause a serious distraction when trying to listen to the radio at low volume. The car handles well and performed well. and the ride was pleasant for the most part. You are unable to roll the rear windows down at highway speeds. They flutter to the point where you think your ear drums are going to explode.

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  Calgary Canada - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DAVE DODDS - August 25 - 10:03 pm

  Fun car to drive. R/T seats make a lot of differance with my bad back. Nice to have power when you want. Better gas mileage than I thought I would get. I tinted back windows, makes a lot of difference with heat from sun

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  I will never buy another - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Joe - August 24 - 11:35 am

  I purchased my 1998 Durango with only 42K miles on it. At first it was great until the brakes started to squeak after 2 weeks. I tried 3 different brands of brakes pads and bought new rotors but they still were making the noise. I gave up. Then 2 months later the transfer case seals started to leak which I later found to be a common problem. That was a $300 repair with only 50K miles on the truck. I liked the room and the looks but with such poor gas mileage and build quality, I cut my losses. Never again. The truck also developed quite a bit of surface rust. The truck was sold after 11 months of ownership. So much for Dodge.