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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  Worried owner - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By J Arthur Lanteigne - August 16 - 12:56 pm

  At times when turning key to start car will not turn over. After a few tries it turns over but it makes me very nervous. I took to Circle Dodge in Brick NJ and they said they could not duplicate condition nor could they identify my VIN number.

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  Durango review - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Mike DiCarlo - August 16 - 8:21 am

  Ive owned this SUV for 6 years. Reliable, safe and a powerful. Downfall is the gas consumption, but the power is worth every penny.

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  Great Truck! - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By wickesser - August 15 - 7:23 pm

  Would by this truck again. Best review you can give.

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  The best SUV ever - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By msnmacky - August 15 - 1:56 pm

  This is the best vehicle ive ever owned. The only problem is the fuel tank needed to be replaced and they said this is starting to be a common thing with the new model so if you have one or are getting one get it checked out. Also, when you lay the back seat down it does not go flush with the floor. Other than that it drives great and has so much room you could get lost. Its very easy to drive for being so big and the gas is very good for such a big vehicle, especially for a 4wd. Ive always been a ford girl but I think my taste has changed. This SUV is amazing and it will be hard to ever get me into anything else.

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  Stratus R/T - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Steven - August 14 - 10:36 pm

  I bought the Stratus R/T 5sp and loved it from the day I saw it. Very quick, fun to drive. Lost it in a accident and I cant wait to get another one same year

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  Not just a neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By dave - August 14 - 4:40 pm

  Everyone thinks it just looks like a neon, but its not. Fully equipped, the SRT-4 will run you around 22,000. Not a bad price for what you get. Its competitors the evo and sti are very well built cars for the price; the only difference between the evo and sti is price. The evo will run you a secure 29,000, and the sti will run around 33,000. Originally a concept car in 1998, they wanted to make the srt-4 supercharged and only running 12psi and making 170 hp. But Dodge has been making turbo cars since the early 70s with the turbo z and shelby. Experience helps in this case. But u still get the fuel economy of a sedan and the price of a typical 4 door. But the hp it provides all the fun.

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  Dakota drives and tows just fine - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By gretjns - August 14 - 2:42 pm

  I purchased my 2003 Dakota new and have used it to tow a pop-up camper (3500-4000lbs) all over the midwest and points N&S. Minimal & routine service until 60k miles when f&r main seals had to be replaced along with AC head, thermostat, and a front wheel bearing which was loose. Otherwise its been a dream. Drives great, lots of interior room and cargo capacity. Handles well and looks great. Extended warranty is a lifesaver. Ill buy another when I wear this one out.

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  No more imports for me, thank you - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Ed - August 14 - 1:30 pm

  I am a field engineer. I drive in total comfort, economy and awesome power when I need it. 43,000 miles on it without a hitch.

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  Anything But Cute - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By cdestep - August 13 - 5:03 am

  I absolutely love this little car. I love the body style. People are always looking at it, they think it is very cool. Gets good gas mileage. Pretty decent stereo system. Nice to have satellite radio. Lots of interior room. My brother in law drove it and he is 65, he had plenty of room. Nephew sat in the back seat he is 60. I have 3 kids and they all fit nicely. Lots of features for the money. Fun to drive.

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  Caved and bought a minivan... - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JClark - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Finally succumbing to the harsh reality of growing older, we finally decided to purchase a minivan. After looking at and driving several (Town and County, Oddessy, Sienna, MPV), we decided the best value for the dough was the Dodge GC. I think it is definitely the sportiest looking of all minivans. Power of the 3.8L is good, difference from the 3.3L is noticable. Interior size is great and to purchase an extended 70K bumper-to-bumper warranty was cheap since it already carries a 70K powertrain warranty, which made it very attractive. Cant wait to take a long family dri