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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  Caliber - a sexy ride! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Treeesa - March 14 - 5:50 pm

  I love my car. It runs great, and with all the driving I do the gas mileage isnt too bad either. The ResistAll is a great feature considering I have two young kids. I get compliments on it all the time. I traded my 2002 Durango for it and it was well worth the trade! I still have room to haul big loads and its small enough to be a sexy car. The ride and handling are great!

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  Proud New First Time Owners of a Minivan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Sissy1235 - March 13 - 10:00 am

  We just recently bought our van used and we are so much enjoying it. The ride is so smooth unlike you think for a minivan. This is my first minivan to own and I will probably own another one when the time comes. So easy to get kids in and out of the back! I love that is is very spacious. We cant wait to take it on a long road trip.

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  Dodge Magnum RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Chazzer - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I fell for the Dodge Magnum when I saw the concept version a copuple of years ago. When I found out it was on the market I arranged for a test drive. That sold me. So I bought one. The ride is a little firm but the faster you go up to highway speeds the smoother the ride. On twisty mountain roads it sticks to the road like glue and handles like a dream. The 340 hP Hemi MD is really something. Around town Im getting on average 17.0 MPG; on the highway about 20 to 24 MPG depending on hills vs. flat land.

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  Third Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By T R Nagel - March 10 - 8:50 pm

  This is my third Neon. The continued upgrades prompted me to buy another one this year. Great pricing, great features, and peppy tight performance keep me coming back. I am really glad Dodge finally put in a four speed automatic transmission. Overall a fun, reliable, economical car.

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  Cant be beat for the price - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Ohioboy - March 9 - 8:23 am

  Nice driving and safe car. Lots more room than my 2004 Saturn 4-door, especially for the kids in back. Drives much better, too. Some recent reviews have overly criticized this car, in my opinion. I got this car for less than $1000 more than a 2006 Saturn Ion would have cost me, which has less safety features and was not to my liking. For the money, I do not think you will find a more attractive, safe, or versatile vehicle out there.

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  This one is going....going....ITS GONE! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By MoparMan - March 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Charger R/T for about 1 month (800 miles). Let me start by saying that Im married with a toddler son and one on the way. This car has a better front and side impact rating than my wifes Volvo (and a lot more interior room). The styling is awesome. People (old and young, men and women) cant help but stare and point. It rides like a luxury car..but runs like a muscle car. The standard R/T Boston Acoustics stereo is great. I hate to sound like a commercial, but if you can find a better car (anywhere near this price range) BUY IT! The reality is that if you want to compete with the R/T or 300c, youll have to drop at least another 20 grand on a BMW or Mercedes. Home Run!

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  Charger - 1 month - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By lestat-de-leon - March 4 - 1:06 pm

  After two and a half weeks of driving pleasure, I have to say that this is the most fun car I have owned in my life. If you have kids (I have 3 under the age of 8) and need a family sedan, but dont want to hate driving it...this is your vehicle. Most people either love or hate the styling of this vehicle, but it is a huge winner to me, as you cannot mistake it for other vehicles on the road. The interior is a bit bland, but that fits with the "muscle car" feel that they were going for. Car handles and breaks like a 3,000 lb car, not a 4000 lb one, and exceleration is wonderful.

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  Get what you pay for! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Bill D - March 1 - 12:56 am

  I bought the Caliber for what it is a gas miser. I did want some amenties like the power options and 17" tires which adds to the handling. This is a heck of an econo car. Yes, its a compromise of practicality and a mini vehicle deigned around a blob of clay stuck in a wind tunnel. What can you say other than $16K, full car size, ride, and comfort with the gas milage of mini-car. Yes I could get better for around $9K more but if you compare apples to apples for the money, there is no other apple. If you want the room of a real size car and the economy of a midget car plus the ability to actually haul something other than you? This is it!

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  Our new ride - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Ric00man - February 26 - 10:56 pm

  We love the exterior and interior appearance of this vehicle. It is different and everyone seem to take notice of it. It is a mid size vehicle that makes you think it is much larger. Great leg room in both the front seating area and the rear seating area. We have four large dogs and this vehicle has plenty of room for them to spread out and lay down when we travel with them.

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  Great car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By budoinst - February 24 - 6:06 am

  I have owned many types of vehicles, including another great one, a 2003 G35 coupe, before this one. This car is safe, quality built, quick and handles well. For the price that one pays, it is the best bargain on the road in my opinion. Other than an old hemi Charger, it would blow away any of the older models. Just a super bargain overall.