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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  Great car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By bestfr - February 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car that I have bought. Gas mileage is great. I have more comments on great the exterior looks. Glad I purchase this terrific car

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  Great Reliable Car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By JSandPC - February 3 - 7:23 pm

  Im usually not a "small" car guy, but the Dodge Caliber gives me everything I was looking for. Fuel mileage is a plus, and I still feel like Im in an SUV. I buy a new car every couple of years. This is the first new car I have purchased that I have not had any mechanical complaints with. Usually, when I buy a new car, there are noises or just something that stands out that concerns me about future reliability. This car just does what I want it to do...start every time and drive without little glitches.

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  Old faithful - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By shipo - January 29 - 3:33 pm

  Weve had this van since new and have performed just the basic maintenance on it. So far, other than the tranny that died at 109K miles, the van has cost us less than $300 in unscheduled maintenance. Performance wise, the van has the 3.8 liter mill, and it has more than enough power for accelerating up freeway ramps, even with steep inclines, and for passing on 2-lane roads. Our van has the optional "Sport Suspension" which makes it a pleasure to drive on the narrow & winding 2-lane roads in our area, much more so than all other vans of similar vintage. The only weakness per-se in the van is the undersized brake rotors which have a tendency to warp. Drilled rotors solved that problem.

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  YIIIIPPPPEEEEE - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By amoni1 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ilove this car. My fiance has a ram 1500 and I had to put it in the shop and they gave me a stratus on loaner. I fell in love with the car, I didnt want a car because I didnt think they would have enough room for my two kids but this one was. I went back the next week to look more into it....well I ended up leaving with a 2002 black sxt with a sunroof...this car is excellent and fast and cute!!

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  Head Turner - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By PKALK - January 26 - 6:20 am

  The car looks like its moving when parked. It turns more heads than any car Ive ever had. Added a Borla exhaust and air intake. Awesome sound and power. Plenty of room for my 3 daughters who think theyre going to drive it when theyre 16. Not a chance. A lot of bang for the buck. Try finding a 4 door with that amount of room and power.

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  Awesome ride. - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Shawn - January 23 - 3:59 am

  This is the best car I ever owned 1

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  Great car for the price - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Robert - January 17 - 2:00 pm

  I leased my Caliber in May of 2007. So far I have driven only 5250 miles as I drive only on weekends and to the train station each day. In the time I have had it the car has been perfect. Great in snow, starts right up in the cold, and the ride is good. Not tons of space but enough for food shopping each week and just about all my errands. Excellent fuel economy.

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  Glad I bought it - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By dlp - January 15 - 5:00 pm

  Bought my Magnum RT in September and have over 6k miles on it as of late November have adveraged just over 19mpg with a low of 16mpg (first tank) and a high of 23mpg. Excellent ride and handling, no problems so far.....The only change Ive made so far has been the addition of a flowmaster exhaust system.

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  We love our Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Thomas Froio - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Best all around car I have owned . I have been buying new cars since 1961 and this is by far the best of all.. It is a quality not expected.. We could not be happier with our purchase.. Thomas Froio

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  Still in Awe - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By lrgus - January 12 - 10:00 am

  To pull the camper and better handle the WI winters, I switched from Gr Caravan to Durango. Great decision. HEMI power unbelievable and the ride is a dream. Seats are soooo comfortable! Hwy mileage better than I expected - averaged over 20 mpg on long trip (no towing), but get appx 15 in town. Comfortable and easy to maneuver - too easy to speed! Split 3rd row allows room for gear. Not as much storage space as the minivan, but Id trade it all for the feel of the SUV. Havent gotten to winter yet, but am sure the 4WD, traction control, and heated seats will be wonderful. Bring it on!