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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  The Bad Boy of All Cars - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DA MILE - December 14 - 1:40 am

  This car is the bomb. I love the way it drives. Everybody looks at me as I drive this baby down the street. Even my co-workers like it. They just cant stop talking about my Charger. To be honest, this is the dream car that I wanted, and I’ve got it now.

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  Excellent Exciting Truck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By D. m. - December 13 - 6:06 pm

  I love the 4wd option for heavy snow days and off the main road 2-tracks, as well as pulling trailers through muddy roads. With the 4.7 v8, we have plenty of power to pass on 2 lane highways and for towing my large tandem trailer. We have not had any bad mechanical surprises, only simple recalls for trivial stuff, nothing serious. My garden tractor fits in the box, if I take off the mower deck and stick it in by itself after putting the tractor in. So much to say and so little space. The ride is like a car and the view and trip computer contribute to the excellent driving experience.

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  Brakes are crappy - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Gordon - December 13 - 1:46 pm

  year and a half in and Ive already had to replace the pads and rotors...absolutely not acceptable but the warranty doesnt cover it. Do not purchase this vehicle as it will cost you way more in the long run than a well built import...sorry to say it but its true

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  Reliable Durango without hemi - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By M1a1commander - December 13 - 12:49 pm

  I purchased this Durango the week before 9-11-01. I put 24,000 miles the first 2 years. The vehicle did not have any issues the first 3 years. I did get 17-19 MPG on the highway. The cloth interior is better and longer lasting than the leather. The price of the Durango Sport was the best deal compared to the Ford Explorer Sport. I paid $21,000 for it new. Now, in Dec, 2005 The only issue I had was replacing the front wheel bearings. The clunking I heard was not the ball-joint issue I had received as a possible recall item. The Durango continues to have great overall reliability. I like the style better than the fatter Durango. Why get a hemi if it weighs 500 lbs more?

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  Funner than a rodeo - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Joeb612 - December 12 - 2:23 pm

  This is my first 4wd vehicle and I have to say that the ride is different than the Lexus RX300 I was driving. It is far better suited to the climate I live in. I have not suffered from the dreaded stopping on a hill and not being able to creep forward due to tire slipage. The 11.7 mpg city hurts a little, but overall a far more usfull vehicle. The third row seating w fold up second row makes for great movie watching for the kids on long drives. gives them lots of play room and still gives you room for a couple suitcases behind the third row.

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  What a piece of garbage - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By bhoffman - December 11 - 9:11 pm

  My only hope is to warn others to look closely at this vehicle before purchasing. Two weeks after I brought it home, the electrical system burned out. After that, it was recalled for a sticking throttle. Following that, it developed a water leak which eventually led to moldy carpet padding. It took my dealer nearly 6 months to track it down. The transmission has been in for repairs 7 times! Its still not right! Unfortunetly, I was unable to invoke the lemon law on this one becuase I waived my rights as I bought it as a true employee purchase (through my father).

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  I absolutely love this car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Darrell - December 11 - 6:26 am

  I got one of the first on the lot and fell in love with it at first sight. Great styling. Pick-up is great but Im no rabbit and the worst mileage Ive gotten is 28.1 with 32.2 on a recent long trip. Sure is nice to drive 7+ hours before I have to fill up with cruise control set on 73. Im over 60 and its easy to get in and out of. The interior is well laid out and very quiet. Love that can cooler and 6 CD changer for long drives. Fold down rear arm rest is the best yet for passengers. Trunk is humungous and makes it easy to stash lots of stuff. Also love the dual-level console with the sliding arm rest so I can put it where I need it. The adjustable lumbar support is great.

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  Dodge Caliber SE Steel blue cool ride - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By tupmeier - December 10 - 5:03 am

  I purchased my SE base model on July 4 and my wife cant get me out of that car. I drove a Mazda MPV before and looked for a family car thats great on gas and cheap on insurance and looks great. I purchased the car on the web without even test driving it. I just loved the look of it. Then when I got to the dealer to sign the papers, I test drove it. I only have to say one thing about it to everyone else. Go and get one yourself. This car is the best car I have ever driven. Only proplem I had is the check engine light turns on when I go to a pressure brush carwash ,so I changed the carwash to no touch and havent had a proplem since

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  2004 Road Runner - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By 1969 Road Runner - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I have owned the car since 3-26-04. In 4000 miles of driving zero complaints 28mpg and one ticket. The most fun car I have ever owned. Better than when I had a Mustang GT. Should have purchased the Livin it loud stereo system to mask the exhaust sound.

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  Intrepid SE - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By David - December 9 - 12:03 am

  Fun is where you find it. For a car of this size, the initial acceleration from a stationary position upto town driving speeds is enough to embarass quite a lot of boy-racers without taxing th. The V6 isnt especially powerful but, for a V6, is reasonably economical. The gearbox is well suited to the engine, actually using some of the engine rev range rather than just cruising or screaming like a lot of other automatic gearboxes tend to do. The size of the car, with its armchair seats, its air-con and soft suspension makes for a very comfortable ride, even on the rutted Seattle highways. Dont go too fast round a corner though - you might have to reverse back and pick up your wing mirrors.