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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  Avenger Review - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By Misty - September 4 - 9:25 pm

  I really like our new car, gas mileage is wonderful and it is fun to drive. I do have a couple complaints: after it rains the trunk holds water then when you lift the trunk it drains into the trunk. The touchscreen is too bright at night and cant turn it down. Also, the middle console is not designed very good. The cup holders are hard to reach and the little tray in the middle is back to far.

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  Great Road Trip Car - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Moparfool - September 3 - 5:09 pm

  I have had my R/T since January 2009, and have just completed a 2700 mile road trip (August 2010). This is a great road car whether freeway cruising or on twisty roads in the Appalachian Mountains. And the car gets looks and comments wherever it goes. One good old boy came up to me at a Virginia Mickey Ds and started telling me about his 1970 Challenger and how someone stole the 440 engine out of it. I have the automatic with the MDS and on this road trip got 23 miles per gallon in mostly freeway driving. The seats are very comfortable - good for driving 1000 miles in one day! Although my back gave notice not to do that too often.

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  "Cool" - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By HuiHui - August 31 - 12:54 pm

  I owned a 71 r/t and have regretted the very day I got ride of it. Until two weeks ago. I got a r/t with the classic package. And wow what a wonderful car. The motor, interior are outstanding. If you are looking for and American muscle car, do yourself a favor and try the Challenger, you wont be disappointed, we arent!

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  Best V6 Retro Muscle Car - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Daily Driver - August 29 - 3:48 pm

  I bought the 2010 SE with V6 and automatic. Also the customer preferred group package 25G which includes 18" wheels, fog lamps etc and the leather interior group option. The high output 3.5 liter V6 has plenty of get up and go. I find it has more than enough pick up when you need it. It cruises well and has an excellent ride. Cabin is quiet and roomy. Trunk is large.

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  Travel to Cancun - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Gabo - August 29 - 1:50 am

  In march 2010 traveled in Mexico , ags city to Cancun aprox 5000 km in my journey rt 2010 and dont have a problem, excellent travel with my family 5 adults and 2 babies now had a almost 16,000 km and Im very happy, i live in mexico .

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  I Love my Nitro - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By JacquiBrown - August 28 - 1:48 am

  This Dodge Nitro is definitely one of the best vehicles I have ever purchased I read a lot of information on them and a lot of it said it was a bad SUV to purchased just based on the bad fuel mileage, I wanted to yell at these people who wrote those, "its a freaking SUV of course the gas mileage is crappy your looking at an SUV for more room, so more room means heavy means it takes more gas to move the thing really!" for that matter from my research the gas mileage on this SUV is with in 1 to 2 of every other SUV so why do people complain its very comfortable it works well when you have a baby who spills her drinks all the time and its easy to get both her and me in and out of. Its a great SUV.

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  Cheap and Fun - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Aaron - August 25 - 9:49 am

  In most buys, I would say you get what you pay for. But, this car offers great features at a relatively low price. However, the low cost is evidenced by a few minor things such as manual rear windows. But, these are definitely made up for by the look and performance of the vehicle. First thing I did was put Bosh Platinum 4 spark plugs which increased my gas mileage and performance. I get anywhere between 32-35 mpg with this car. My only parts repair has been the starter so far and I have owned the vehicle since it only had 28,000 mi on it. Due to no under carriage, I destroyed my motor from high water. Totally my fault, but I (quite easily) put a new engine in and it runs great

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  2010 R/T auto - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By JJ - August 24 - 9:49 pm

  Great ride. Drives like a big car, but solid handling and very stable. No rattles or wobble. Interior is clean, comfortable, and very functional. Good quality build. Mileage is fair. Power is exceptional, allowing merging onto highways and overtaking with confidence. Great long distance cruiser and city driver.

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  After 2 years, still awesome! - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Bill - August 18 - 3:53 pm

  Ive had my 2.7l SXT for two years now and it is still an awesome ride! It handles flawlessly, excellent in snow and rain and VERY smooth. The engine is VERY quiet and idles smooth. Overall quality has been excellent! No problems at all in the 2 years and the paint is solid. Gas mileage has been 22-24 mpg city and 28- 31 mpg highway. LOTS of power and VERY fun to drive!

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  245,000 miles, no problem - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By White Avenger - August 17 - 8:59 pm

  I bought my beautiful car in 2005. I have 245,000 miles on it and have only had one tune up and spent not more than 2,000 in repairs. Except the time I got ripped off for about 1,500 from the Dodge Dealer.