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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  OMG..i love this SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Christina238 - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I saw an ad for this vehicle and i couldnt refuse it. Irecieved 8500 in rebates. I purchased a 35,000 car for 27,000. u cant beat that.

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  2004 5.7 hemi durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By m.vik - June 7 - 10:00 am

  we love the durango. not boring, the drive is so smooth and quick. thank GOD we didnt have to buy a GM.

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  dodge durango slt hemi - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By jimmy thomas - June 7 - 10:00 am

  i bought a 04 durango with the 5.7 hemi engine i love t5o drive it it takes hills like they were not there. i think it has all the other suvs beat by a long shot.

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  2016 Charger RT - Nice Ride - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By EWC - June 6 - 7:42 am

  Folks: I have a 77 mile round-trip commute in heavy traffic each day. Its not fun. My 2016 Charger has been just great for the first ~10K miles. If I take it easy, I also get 32 MPG on the open highway. The vehicle is well built, quick, secure and solid. I also feel safe in it. Importantly, it also has the necessary grunt and agility to get you out of a jamb (e.g., when an aggressive 18 wheeler or a jacked up F-250 is bearing down on you on Houstons I-45) when needed. Its also a handsome beast and looks good parked among the Mercedes and BMWs that the bulk of my colleagues drive (it also makes a bit of a statement that you are not following the herd). I have a few classic cars (e.g., C-2 Corvette and vintage GM muscle cars) so owning a "daily driver" with a little bit of style is important. The 2016 Charger has it all. The only problem is that 2 of my High School boys always want to drive it (even over the old Vette, a nice King Ranch F-150 and my wifes BMW convertible). Go figure. Nice job Dodge. Keep building neat cars and Ill keep buiying a new one every couple of years.

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  Incredible value and fun to drive - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By rdolores - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 2003 Neon SXT with 4-speed auto for my wife. For $12,159 got 6- speaker stereo w/ CD, pwr windows, pwr locks, pwr mirrors, alum whls, tilt whl, keyless entry, pwr trunk, lo- profile tires, tach. What a value! Handles like a sports car. Very comfortable. Great sounding stereo.

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  What a kewl car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Carolyn - May 27 - 1:10 am

  This car is so kewl, so different in looks then most.I wanted one from the first time I saw it at my neigherhood Braums store. Its so unusual looking, drives great, good on gas, rides comfortably, roomy, what more could you want. Im so glad my husbands truck transmission went out. Its the car Ive always wanted.

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  SXT Grand Caravan - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By caravan sxt - May 26 - 9:00 am

  The Grand Caravan SXT is a quality van from the beginning . The moment you open the door to enter until you close the door to exit. Truly a joy to drive, almost too comfortable, almost... Thank you Dodge for another quality vehicle.

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  Excellent - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Christie Malone - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The best car in the world..........

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  Sporty little car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Elizabeth - May 21 - 11:00 pm

  My son was involved in a hit and run accident in January, so I wanted him to have a safer, more dependable car. We purchased our Caliber 3 months ago. He loves the car, however, we have had some problems with the engine. While driving the car, the oil light will come on and start to flash, and then the car will completely die on him. The dealership cant find the problem.

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  Dodge - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave Newton - May 11 - 2:00 am

  This van has all the features to make any trip relaxing. Low road noise and very stable handling with great pickup when passing. Would reommend this van to anyone