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 Muscle Car for Everyone - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By BJSilver - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This is one SWEET machine. From the chopped & channeled look, to the large interior capacity, Dual Zone A/C, and heated seats. Tons of rear leg room, and wide 60/40 split seat. Yes people do stop and stare, and beep at you at stop lights and ask questions. Somebody though it was an Audi. But what sets it apart is the POWER. Step on the gas and Go!!!!

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  my magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By cjtc1948 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car about a month now and I find driving to be a real pleasure again. This car is fun and easy to drive, with plenty of power when needed and also great gas mileage for it being a muscle car. There is plenty of storage in the rear and there is plenty of leg and head room. Im 6ft. 4inches and I have no problem whatsoever with head and leg room. I think this car is the ultimate in practicality combined with a beautiful design. I get the thumbs up sign wherever I go. I highly recommend this vehicle for the shear pleasure of driving!!!

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  Best Durango ever - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By JBJinc - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Hemi is great; interior layed out great much roomier than previous model. Video Ent. Sys well worth it and performs great. New chasis improves ride, handling and comfort over previous model 100%.

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  Very Impressed! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By jrobichaud - May 26 - 10:00 am

  We spent a lot of time looking at Ford (explorer and expidition) and Chevy (trailblazer). The new 04 durango really impressed us with comfort, power (even with the 4.7 V8)! great interior room, dealers were great to work with, and the pricing came in significantly under even the smaller explorer and Trailblazer. Better warrentee, just pleased overall with the vehicle.

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  Durango 2004 - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Satisfied customer - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Three (3) words: fun, smooth, and responsive

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  Awesome! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Misaims - May 21 - 12:50 am

  This car rocks! I started drooling over the commercials and test drove about 3 different cars before buying. It was the best deciscion Ive made all year. The car handles and drives so smoothly. The stereo is fantastic - the speakers are so crisp. This car is comfortable, sleek and so fun to drive - I actually look forward to my commute. And it turns heads - I get stopped all the time. I would have no qualms about telling anyone to buy one.

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  Nice little car - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Ray - May 19 - 10:54 am

  I bought this car new 8-14 and so far have put 10,000 miles on it, the only thing I have noticed with it is there is a turbo lag with it but it is only a split second, I get very good gas mileage with mid upper 30 range but I do use premium fuel regular fuel does not work well with this turbo engine, this little car has good get up an go,,it so far has been a good car

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  Great - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Excellent - May 14 - 7:16 pm

  This is our 2nd Grand Caravan and we are loving it, especially the Sirius radio and navigation. Everything about this car is great. The Special Edition is awesome. Comfortable, great performance, luxurious and quiet ride. Stow and Go seats are a plus. We almost bought the Nissan and are glad we didnt. The seats are completely hidden. No more pulling them out and storing. Highly recommended. Has less air bags offered, but we dont have kids, so that was a non issue. Great value, price was right for the value.

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  Whistling - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rachel - May 14 - 10:06 am

  I love this car except for when I reach about 65-70 mph it make this weird whistling noise I took it in and its still making the noise I dont think the dealership knows what it is! Does anyone know?

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  2000 4.7 Auto Quad Cab - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By ahasher - May 12 - 3:06 am

  Love this truck. The handling and power are well above what I expected for a "mid"sized truck. The 4.7 V8 accelerates flawlessly and has power on demand on the interstate. At 47500+ miles she still has NO rattles/noises inside the cab, very low wind. NO excessive tire wear for the mileage(with my regular rotations). Problems encountered: engine rough idle. Crank Shaft Position Sensor failed. The electric aux fan relay stuck on, damaging the fuse box, dealer replaced with a loaner Durango the whole wait. My brakes chirp constantly even with cleaning. Summary: QC still performs as good as the day I drove her home.