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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  Intrepid - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By J B Leabhart - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Transmission does not hold up well. The brakes have to be replaced more often than on some other cars that I have had. Would not recommend the dealer for service or repairs. To many errors.

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  Great mini van - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By bobby&sharon - January 10 - 12:14 am

  we bought this van about 1 week ago and we love it. Fuel economy is great, good ride, good room, beautiful red outside. I feel it will be a good van for a long time.

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  Ex-Suburban Owner - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Gruntly - January 9 - 9:59 pm

  Traded our 93 Suburban for this 04 Hemi Durango. We love this truck. Its a fight about who gets to drive. Power gallore and better mileage. 16 mpg vs 11 mpg from the Suburban. Much easier in the parking lots as well. Interior is so functional as well. Needed the extra room of the Suburban for the 5 kids and there is no-way we would have a minivan. Now they are getting older and only a couple travel with us, we dont need as much room as the Suburban. But the available seats are nice just in case.

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  Best SUV around for less $$ - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Mike Swan - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I dont know where to start I have seen other SUV that offer some of the same features but they are all more money... for the size and options on this car I think its the best bang for the buck... things like the MP3 player makes me take my hat off to Dodge for their efforts to listen to the consumer. And i love the room.

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  Awesome SUV!!!! - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By CyberFly - January 9 - 10:00 am

  The best car Ive ever owned......

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  Wow, Some car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By E - January 9 - 2:20 am

  Once you buy a Magnum, expect to have people walking by the vehicle ask you what kind of car rhis is and how do you like it. I bought the Mgnum 3 months ago and at least every other day someone approches me when I park to comment on the great styling and how I like it.

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  2006 Dodge Magnum RT - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Jessicana - January 8 - 9:56 pm

  Stunningly elegant vehicle with an aggressive, no-nonsense attitude. Buy the V-8 only: the V-6 is just too frivolous for this big a wagon.

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  Very Nice and Fun to Drive - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By James - January 8 - 6:29 pm

  The driving experince in this Stratus was fun. I know when I get in this car I would really enjoying crusing in this car. It is such a pleasure passing by car doing 70 without an effort. The performance overall has really satisfied me. I am in college right now and I am young in need for speed. I have put some money in this car and it never cease to amaze me.

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  Stratus RT 2dr coupe - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Gregory Pappas - January 8 - 6:04 pm

  After the 36,000 mile warranty expired it had 10 problems including motor mount, air pressure engine sensor, trottle position sensor, starter motor, cam belt tensioner, 3 gear syncro, 5th gear synchro, A/C, battery, electric rear view mirror (twice), before reaching 66,000 miles. The front brake pads and clutch ($1,400) were replaced due to wear. I am 59 years old and drive mostly highway miles. This car has had more problems than the combined problems of the previous 6 Chrysler product cars I have owned over a 24 year period.

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  Not good - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Juan - January 8 - 2:58 am

  I bought my Dart brand new at the dealership with 14 miles in October 2012. Literally three days after I bought it, someone either put or I picked up a screw in my tire. $130 for a tire. We had a pretty typical winter in 2013, but somehow there was ice that got built up under the wheel well on the driver side, and it broke off a piece of the bumper. I had a headlight go out shortly after that, and I hit a deer a week later which dented the hood. I was told that it would cost "at least $1000" to fix the hood, even though it was very minimal cosmetic damage - but because it was a certain type of hood it needed to be repaired. I havent had to be in a garage for multiple days - but toward the end I was getting expensive repairs. The roads up here are not good for low-profile tires - I blew three tires on potholes and had to get a wheel bearing replaced. I also had the windshield crack for no apparent reason, the moonroof wouldnt close, and so forth. A cousin of mine recommended I get another vehicle. Found one yesterday (6/10/16) and traded it in. It was going to need a whole new suspension and it was less than 4 years old, and had been in Florida when I worked down there. Glad to be rid of it. Also the Dealer (Hartleys in Newport, ME USA) was garbage. They charged me $119 for a tire rotation that didnt solve the problem. $80/oil change as well.