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 Overall Car! Best Purchase ever!!! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Ken Mooney - August 24 - 2:13 am

  Great car for the price!

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  What a ride - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Don S - August 23 - 5:46 pm

  This is my third Dodge, and I love this car. Thats the first time in a long time I am able to say that. Fun to drive, and handles great. Im very impressed with the 3.5L. I find it has very good get up and go, no regrets on the selction of this motor. Don;t forget the looks you get too. I had aa older couple in a Benz really give me the once over look. Well have this car for a while.

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  I love my Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By skylark256 - August 19 - 6:13 pm

  I havent had the car a long time but I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. I love my car. The body style and the power and the smooth ride.

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  My R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Bob Manning - August 18 - 1:50 am

  The Charger R/T is a performance vehicle with plenty of luggage space. This vehicle is comfortable and fun to drive.

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  I gave it more pep - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By carter - August 17 - 4:36 pm

  This is an awsome buy. Its mean look is what I liked about it the most. The awd is the worst on gas out the models to choose from. So if it snows alot where you live..or just want it for is speed get the rt awd. If not go with one of the other models. Then after adding custom peformace parts as I did this makes a great racing sleeper.

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  Owner - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Karin L. Dulaban - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I like the comfort and the sound system. When the air conditioner is on, it seems to drag a little. Drives good in pouring rain, not much hydroplaning.

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  S2000 KILLER!!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By jason lee - August 17 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car 1 month ago, then, i got really surpirsed about this car. it is FAST, COMFORT, and CAN BEAT MOST CARS ON THE ROAD! my friend got Honda S2000 and that was cheap freak. i raced with BMW M3 Coupe and beated by little gap. but M3 driver was shocked about my srt-4 can chase him that thight. i plan to replace turbo to large one.

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  My Charger R/T! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Kriste W - August 16 - 1:46 am

  I went to the dealer to look at the 300C, but I was blown away by the new Charger. One test drive was all I needed to know that this is the car for me. Ive had Mustangs in the past, but I was not impressed, nor do I think that the new Mustangs provide everything that the new Chargers do. I dont mind if the Charger is a couple of heartbeats slower than the Mustang - Im willing to give that up for the ability to seat four comfortably & put a weeks worth of groceries in the trunk. The new Charger rocks, plain & simple!

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  Nice and Easy Ride - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Easy - August 14 - 9:46 pm

  I purchased my Nitro a few weeks ago. I had to put a lot of miles on it approx. 3500 miles in 3 weeks. Ive had only one problem which I believe is the belt tensioner its making a little noise. I am going to take it in for service next week. My R/T Nitro 4.0L looks good, runs good, rides good, and has plenty of storage space too. Its a nice and easy ride!

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  10 Year Old Crossover Vehicle? - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ron Irwin - August 14 - 12:03 am

  Well, sometimes when you wait long enough, things come back into style. All wheel drive, seats seven, lots of storage. Crossover vehicle? No. My 10 year old AWD minivan? Yes. Ive been salivating over the new crossovers, but my van fills the same function, so guess Ill just keep it. 244000 miles and runs like a new one. Original engine with just normal maitenance. Tranny replaced after 200000 miles. I may never need to buy another car!