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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  A Pleasure to Drive - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ted - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This van is a pleasure to drive, especially on long trips. First, you sit up high for a good view of the road. Second, the seats are very comfortable even with manual seat adjustments. Third, it moves smoothly along at highway speeds of 75+ mph, even in the Rocky Mountains. It also is fine in the city and useful for hauling furniture, building supplies and kids.

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  A Pleasure to Drive - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ted - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This van is a pleasure to drive, especially on long trips. First, you sit up high for a good view of the road. Second, the seats are very comfortable even with manual seat adjustments. Third, it moves smoothly along at highway speeds of 75+ mph, even in the Rocky Mountains. It also is fine in the city and useful for hauling furniture, building supplies and kids.

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  Baby Boomer reclaims Muscle Car Memories - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By ART - October 4 - 2:23 pm

  The Charger SRT is more than I expected, especially since I never bought a Chrysler product for myself, ever! Have enjoyed Mustangs (302,Cobra Jet), Corvettes (ZR1) over the years, but this car has just about everything. Performance, looks, conveniences and amenities are excellent. Seems to turn heads at will. This one is black and beautiful. Also my wifes favorite color combinations. This is a keeper!

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  That is one fine machine! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By rtDawg - September 27 - 1:43 pm

  Alignment problems, (Car pulls slightly to the right) - I dont know yet, however I am starting to believe the tug is radial related at 6000 - 9000 miles... Dealer thus far has not mentioned radials and has aligned the car without fixing the problem. Going to asecond dealer soon!

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  SRT-4 Life - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Srt-4 lIFE - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I remember in 2000 reading an article on Dodge bringing a supercharged Neon to the market. At the time I owned a first generation Neon, and was very satisfied,but I new I had to get it.I waited to hear more of this car but nothing, so I forgot about it. Finally in 2002 I read about Dodge unveilig of the turbocharged SRT-4. All I could do was hope that it was as good as they made it out to be. Dodge you have made me proud to own one.The design may not be all new, but it turns a lot of heads. I am constantly being complemented on my car, and respected by street racers.When I am driving my car all that comes to mind is sweeeet! The Dodge SRT-4 Rocks!!!!!

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  Great Value - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Laura - September 15 - 11:16 am

  This car has been awesome so far. The interior is extremely comfortable and versatile. Love the reclining rear seats and how the rear seats as well as the passenger seats fold flush to the floor for more cargo space. Also, the floor of the cargo hatch is plastic and removable for easy cleaning. The car has decent, but not great acceleration. Caliber provides an extremely smooth and comfortable ride.

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  Lovin my muscle car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Gina - September 15 - 10:40 am

  The Dodge Daytona RT Top Banana, in color is so awesome! I am lovin the way it handles, the ride is great too. The front seats are so comfy, the way they comform to your body makes for a comfortable ride. I am lovin the stereo system, I love the way I can control the sound system from the steering wheel with the slight touch of a button.

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  Jesss Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jessica - September 15 - 10:06 am

  I love the power of my car. I love the design. Everyone thinks I am driving a luxury car, but I wished that I would have waited and got the SRT8

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  young again my first car was a 1970 Challenger - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By Carldbrownjr@comcast.net Brown jr - September 8 - 5:06 pm

  this car has come a long way since my 70 both have 6 cylinder motors but the new 1has a lot more power and the doors dont rattle of all the new cars it the closest to the original one mine is fully loaded which is part of the reasons I gave high reviews

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  Converted my wife - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By xxjjoxx - September 8 - 1:04 am

  My wife was 110% anti Minivan. I did so hard selling over the years to the mpg benefits as well as the comfort and convienences of a van. We purchased a 2011 grand caravan crew with the rear entertainment package. Our five year old daughter and my 10 and 11 year old nieces are in love. The most u here is can u start a movie. The comfort and refinement in the driver seat helps you forget u r driving a minivan.