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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  You Have To Love Them - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By KACHINA321 - May 6 - 1:16 am

  I wanted the Magnum and talked my wife into getting rid of her Toyota. She liked the Toyota but it was getting a few years older and I wanted a Magnum. So everytime I saw one I said "honey look there is another one". It didnt take long for the Magnum to grow on her. She loves her new Magnum. I put a billet grill on it. The chrome pillers and back lights. Also the door handles and mirror are now chrome. We have the hottest Magnum in the Las Vegas area. Everyone in town that has a Magnum thinks ours is a custom Magnum. I wont tell them where I got my parts from. Let them do some work to make theirs maybe as nice as ours.

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  A good & reliable car - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Annie - May 6 - 12:10 am

  This is a great car whether you drive in the city or highway. It is a good and sturdy car. It does great on gas mileage. I am disappointed at the comfort of the interior. The seats are uncomfortable for long trips. But if you intend to drive this car daily to work and around the city, it is the right size and the right car for you.

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  U.S. muscle with Italian DNA - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By eagles - May 5 - 11:30 pm

  The SRT10 convertible is arguably the fastest production convertible known to mankind. I have owned previously a 1996 GTS coupe and it was fast with plenty of power. The 03 SRT10 is however even faster with more power and torque and incfredibly also much more driver friendly than its predecessor. It is a much more refined car than I would have thought. The top is a 15 second operation up or down and is simple to use. This engine easily overpowers the rear tires in first gear and during upshifts requiring throttle modulation to resist wheelspin. I have driven race cars, Ferraris, Lambos, and Vettes but none compare with the exhileration when stompiong the throttle of the Viper SRT10.

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  Awesome - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By STEVE - May 5 - 4:16 pm

  I went from a Ford Explorer to a Magnum.

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  Not a happy camper - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Not a happy camper - May 5 - 12:53 am

  I purchased my 2009 Journey in Sept. of 2008. I had 13,000.00 mile on the car when my breaks went. The dealership said they are not covered. My driver side heat seat burns my back and doesnt heat your butt. While driving I heard a huge bang like I hit something and then the heat seat (drivers) stopped working. My car wont go over 45mph, it was putting and when I got to the dealership they told me it was fine.This is bull crap! Passenger side window does not go up from the drivers side button. Its ok for them to sell you the car but they dont want to cover anything. this is why I bought a brand new car so I wouldnt have problems. thats all I have. seat fabric is horrible.oil lt. always on

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  Im a little disappointed - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By GEORGIA - May 4 - 2:50 am

  I wish I had taken my caliber out on the highway for a test drive instead of local streets. Im disappointed in the noise it make when I hit speeds of 55-60. I was told it was the CVT transmission causing the loud humming noise. I also dont like the small rear window its difficult when backing out to get a full and clear view of what is behind you. Its a nice looking car and comfortable inside.I like that you sit high in the seat and the console is adjustable.

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  6.1 HEMI - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Rocket Wagon - May 3 - 8:03 pm

  The up grade from my 05 R/T has been very exciting. The acceleration and roar from the HEMI makes it hard to drive it slow. My gas mileage has been the same as my R/T.

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  Hate the blind spots - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By E Miller - May 2 - 9:05 pm

  I bought an 04 new w/ Hemi and for the most part love it. Engine is great, options are great, but be warned... the blind spots are large. What is really bad are the ones created by the front pillars. Use caution when turning corners, you will not be able to see. Nothing worse than having to lean forward when you make a left hand turn just so you can see. Like it but wont buy another.

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  What a mistake - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rocky Mountain - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Since moving to N.America I insisted on buying American vehicles. What a mistake. I bought two Chrysler products in 1998 and I am now experiencing problems because of poor engineering (designed to last as long as the warranty). Transmission went 1 day after the 3 year warranty. Chrysler did offer and paid half of the costs of the repair but recommended I purchase extended warranty the next time. Rear door latch not functioning anymore.

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  Thank goodness for mopar "Mo"! - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Jewels - May 1 - 11:51 pm

  Well, I actually just got into a serious accident with this car. Poor Mo (I always name my cars) was writen off when a lady hit me after failing to stop for a stop sign. The car is in rough shape! I walked away with literally only a bruise to speak of. The car saved me! I mean I loved this car, how could you not? This is one hot lookin car! Even though it was eight years old I always had people stopping and asking me about my car, commenting on how the exhaust sounded or how the engine purred. Now begins the hunt to find another Avenger.