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:

• 

  10 years and still kicking - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By John - March 5 - 8:35 pm

  I have owned this truck since new and will not be getting rid of it any time soon. The 1996 Dakota is a true mid size with all the guts of a full size. The v6 I have pulls and hauls as well as any small 8, and wile fuel milage around town is not great (who buys a truck for fuel mileage?) open road mileage is in the 20 mpg range. Over all I am very happy with my 96, both in performance and style. Just try to find a truck with chrome on both ends these days.

• 

  Comfy Hot Rod - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By Gary Engmann - March 5 - 6:06 am

  A pleasure to drive with awesome power. Have had for almost two years, with not a problem one. On recent trip from Cleveland, TN to Atlanta, GA averaged over 26 mpg on a single tank of gas for the whole trip. Impressive!

• 

  Not Bad! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kekers - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The first year we had the van, we had to get work done on the electrical system (crossed wires). No other mechanical problems in 102000 miles. Quite difficult to change own spark plugs. We do have the phantom wipers, but that is not really a problem. I still get the same average gas mileage today as I did when I bought it almost 7 years ago (~20mpg). I have also used the back to haul drywall/couches,etc. Overall, not bad.

• 

  Great MPG! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By stevcaro - March 3 - 9:25 pm

  I bought a new 2002 Altima that wasnt as nice overall as this car. The interior of the Stratus is nicer and more comfortable in my opinion. It dosent have the power but rides just as nice. This car has actually been a pleasant surprise.

• 

  Nice Truck/Family Car - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Dean - March 3 - 2:42 pm

  This was my first car/truck I ever purchased new (right off the showroom floor)This truck has been very good to me. The only issue I have had with it was a starter that went out however the dealer fixed under warranty and have done nothing more then change the oil, put gas in it and drive. Although the box is fairly small it had been fine for me. If you plan to hall large planks of lumber you may want a p/u with a longer bed as 5 & 1/2 foot is not all that usesfull. Fuel economy has held pretty strong around the low 20s. Expecting much more then that from a truck is not really all that practical unless your comparing to a 4cyl S-10 or Ranger.

• 

  Best car so far - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Rockingham - March 3 - 1:53 am

  I love my new car. Had it for three months now and so far i have been well pleased.

• 

  Front end junk - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By bobc57 - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Front components junk, brakes/rotors every 20K highway miles, tie rods, upper/lower ball joints, wheel bearings. water pump @40K, ABS module. All periodic maintenance done by the dealer per manufactures schedule.

• 

  Great Truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By cwestbrook - March 2 - 7:47 am

  I wish I would have opted for the V8 but this truck serves my purpose of light hauling and travel very well. There is a little drag in take off, but the truck rides as smoothly as it can and I have thoroughly enjoyed owning it.

• 

  The awsomew Copper Head viper - 2006 Dodge Viper
  By sandy - March 1 - 8:15 pm

  This car is a real neck snapper. It is so stunning that drivers and pedestrians have to look while they are driving or walking. The acceleration pins you in the seat. The exhaust is properly tuned.

• 

  Shaky Start - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Interpid SE - February 27 - 10:37 am

  When I bought this car, I thought I was getting a great deal on the car. After I brought the car home, the probs hit. Engine light comes on every other day, the oil light comes on after hard use of the car. Driver window will not work now. Thumping sound when breaking, and the CD player died the 3rd week. My friend keeps telling me that Dodges are great but after what I am seeing, I really dont know. The standard 6 in the engine bay has some pep. For being a larger car, it handles good, nothing like my old Ford Focus tho. Handles fair in the rain and it corners like a pig. Also watch out for dips in the road, car bottoms out some times.