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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  I went PLUM CRAZY !!! - 2016 Dodge Challenger
  By Eddie Stewart - July 8 - 7:23 pm

  I just traded in my 2015 Lime Green Challenger RT with 512 miles on it for a 2016 Scat Pack in Plum Crazy Purple. A lot more motor. Huge difference!! Great car and great color. I removed the ugly stripes on the trunk and had the spoiler painted Purple also. Looks great. Ive only had it a few days but this is my 3rd Challenger and they were all very nice cars.

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  Instant Grin - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By rick77man2002 - July 8 - 3:33 pm

  I get a huge grin on my face every time I give it the gas. The only down side to owning this car was right after we got it, the price of gas went up about a dollar a gallon. No complaints here though. I didnt buy it for its mileage. Ive never had a car with this much room. I have long legs, but even I could sit behind the drivers seat with room to spare.

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  Love my new Journey! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Miguel G - July 7 - 11:33 pm

  Before buying my SXT Journey with 3 row seating went and checked the Equinox, Outlander, Santa Fe, and Explorer. We went back to the Dodge dealer and we loved it since the test drive. The interior is modern, its fun to drive, love the touchscreen radio (though its placement is a little weird, but you get used to it). Love all the compartments and the fuel efficiency. For us, it has been a great buy.

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  Magnum RT..a great review - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By vdogrt - July 6 - 6:13 am

  I keep hearing so many bad stories about the magnum rt. to date, I have had a great experience. Ive had it for 5 months and have a little under 5,000 miles. yes, I dont drive it everyday to work. its mostly a weekend and holiday car with my wife using it as needed to haul the kids around. so far no complaints. it a great car, with the feel of a luxury Benz feel to it. If problems develope in the future, I will rely on my dealership along with my extened waranty to deal with the problem.

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  best purchase i ever made - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By karab - July 5 - 8:33 am

  I LOVE THE MAGNUM, FOR THE SPORTY LOOK AND WTIH ALL THE CONFIRTS OF A BMW STYLE RIDE AND STILL HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM INSIDE LIKE AN SUV.. GREAT CAR..

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  Nice Car - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By Christian Caldwell - July 5 - 7:40 am

  Strongly consider your options as to whether or not you want to purchase and SXT, R/T, SRT, SCAT PACK, etc. As o could see how you might want more power after driving the ACT if you are a car enthusiasts. I love the car, and considering the fact that I am in college and on a budget the SXT fit my budget. Still great performance out of the 5.7 Liter V6. Fun car, and definitely speaking to the eye. You wont be dissapointed. I cant speak to much to the reliability because I have only owned a month. If you go for the ACT you may want to do as I did and replace your head unit for a better entertainmenr experience. I like the fact that the challenger is for the most part easy to customize.

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  3rd Best Decision I Have Made - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Kelly M. - July 1 - 5:39 am

  I am 39 years old. I asked my wife to marry me. We had out daughter. Now I own a Hellcat. So many things to say. The outside to most people looks like a suburban grocery-getter, until you slam the pedal and scare the living crap out of anyone in the 2 block radius (including my wife in the passenger seat.) This car puts a huge smile on my face everytime I accelerate. Feeling down, stressed out? Drive a Hellcat and you will be giggling like a school girl. Seriously. The inside is clean, the information system works great, and it doesnt look like a stupid European car with an iPad taped to the top of the dash. Plan on buying new tires after about 1000miles. This car will make a smoke cloud so big the fire dept. will probably get called. In conclusion, put your phone down, stop looking at other cars, SUVs, mom/dad-mobiles and go buy a Hellcat. It will change your life.

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  My new car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By linda - June 30 - 7:36 pm

  I only suggest that the inside is a little to compact. I fele squished driving. The back seat cup holders should retract in and out so a third person can sit in the back. I love the car just need a little more room. Although it is a compact car it is so great on gas. I love that. I did experience a trouble time. It only happened once, but I had my headlights on and when I turned my turn signals on the whole head lights turned completely off. When the turn signals were off the lights came on. I also, when driving that night, when heat and radio were on the whole console got extremely hot to touch. Just a fluke but scary. Yes lights were on, not daytime runnng lites. Great car though!

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  Great to drive - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Daren - June 28 - 6:16 am

  This van has a 3.3L/E85. Wish it had the bigger motor, but it does not come with the E85. This van as a lot of toys on it. DVD, MyGiG, Sirius radio. Took our first trip with it. Kids loved the dvd plater, mom and dad had the sirius radio on. This has back up camera on it. It also has the ESP on it. Great in the snow. It comes with a speed stick. Could not resist Dodges 0% financing and employing pricing and other rebates. Bought a $29k for $16k. Last van was a merc with a 4.3L, had more power.

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  Great Vehicle - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Jeff - June 22 - 11:10 pm

  I bought my Avenger a few weeks ago. I have a Durango and the mileage and fuel costs were hurting me. I kept my Durango because I love my truck and bought the Avenger for work during the week because of the mileage factor. This is a great car that is giving me an average of 28.9 miles a gallon. I would recommend this car to anybody, especially if you are looking for fuel economy with gas prices heading towards 4.00 dollars + a gallon. Im a Chrysler guy and this is worth the investment.