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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  All Good Here - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By 61 kd - July 11 - 11:53 am

  Bought this model from dealer, first family truckster Ive owned. I think Ill own it forever. It just never quits. Did have a master cylinder issue early on but was under warranty. I also replaced the A/C but other than that nothing else. It rides like a dream, love the versitility of removing the 2nd row captain chairs, and it gets 23 on the highway. Engine and Tranny still going strong!

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  70,000 miles and loving it - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By John Hutchins - July 10 - 12:35 pm

  Have nearly 70,000 miles on my RT. As a former Toyota owner for 30 years it took a lot to bring me to buy a Dodge. This is one heck of a car! It captures the feeling of a 60s muscle car with great fuel economy, comfort, safety, and very high build quality. I went thru the factory in Brampton Ontario and was very impressed by what I saw. A clean super efficient factory where the workers work in teams, totally German influence from Mercedes. Some people may be put off by the rather stark interior, but it grows on you, think German influence. The Magnum is also a great workhorse, carries quite a bit with rear seats folded and a fine tow vehicle with the self-leveling suspension.No complaints!

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  Back to the Future - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Magnum - Radar - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I have always loved the Chevy Nomad, and when I first laid eyes on the vechicle, I knew it was build for me. The station wagon 50s look. The feels of nostagia, I get when Im behind the wheel. This vehicle reminds me of when I was a child. I have always loved wagons. That was the main reason I bought this. Exceptional automobile. Beautiful. Comfortable. Great performance. Test drive this car before your next purchase. You gotta be in it, for it to truely win you over.

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  Love that Hemi - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Daniel L. Kosanovich - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Hemi engine awsome, excellent handling,ride quality excellent.Brakes ok could be better a/c very good,very good interior and cargo room.In my opinion much better than ole style

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  Got a HEMI? - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By M.Nicley - July 9 - 10:27 pm

  I bought this used, if you call owned for 6 months used. I traded in my 2000 Chevy Blazer for this rocket! I get 14 mpg around town, 18 mpg highway. (Same as my 4.3 Blazer) I towed a Ford Mustang over 600 miles on a heavy steel trailer and still managed 16 mpg. All the while passing cars and averaging 80 mph in the mountains of TN. Took the Durango with wife and 2 children to FL from OH and was plenty comfortable and rode better than some higher priced SUVs and cars.

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  Money Pit--Slick looks, sickly quality - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By My Dodge Is Junk - July 9 - 6:32 pm

  The gas mileage I expected (around 12), the trips to the shop are ridiculous-- water pump, heater blower, power drivers seat motor, head gasket, rear a/c, etc etc etc. I cant believe a vehicle that stickered for $37K can be such a piece of junk at 100k miles. Had 100K warranty thank God, but even then the dealer said clunking noise in tranny reverse is normal, whistling noise in heater blower is normal...words cant describe my disappointment. On my way to go trade it for a Nissan Murano

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  Good Pickup - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By Preston - July 9 - 2:29 am

  I bought it brand new and besides a new waterpump and a radiator, it has been wonderful. I own a farm and this truck out hauls any Chevy or Ford twice its size. The 318 engine has a lot of power. This truck will really move. Keep the oil changed and this baby will purr! Dodge is all about performance.

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  Great Family Vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By nl1223 - July 6 - 3:50 pm

  This has been a great vehicle for me and my 2 girls. On the 3rd day we had the Journey, we went on a camping trip. It held all our gear and supplies easily. The seats and the handling made the 6 hour drive a breeze. When my girls want to take a couple of friends along, its no problem with the 3rd row seat. As a busy, single mom, I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  A great car to have! - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Danny - July 6 - 1:08 am

  My family and I took the 1st road trip to Vegas. It was a smooth and fun drive going across the desert. Car stayed cool woth the AC on the whole way. Love every minute that I am behind the wheel of my Magnum!

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  Over the top - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By ccriderwa - July 5 - 9:18 am

  97K miles and it’s yard art. After taking care of the Durango with top quality service and fluids this puppy overheated driving up the hill to my house warping both heads. Steer clear of Dodge products they are poorly built and do not stand up to real word use.