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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  First SUV - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Philip - October 29 - 8:43 am

  This is my first SUV but my fifteenth or so vehicle. I bought the absolute lowest end stripper model (only a trailer hitch added) and it is still quiet and well equipped. I wanted to be able to tow things and have towed a 1500 lb boat but just this weekend towed my sons Toyota (no, they dont run forever, either) 550 miles. It was very easy! with the 3.7 six, too. Mileage without Toyota: 22.3 MPG; with Toyota behind, 16.3 MPG. Lots of nice features for a trailer tower, too: a carpeted drawer in the back for hitches, balls and tools. Durango really is a bargain! and my wife loves to drive it, too.

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  Journey Review Part 2 - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Vince&Sara - October 29 - 6:50 am

  As promised we were going to write another review of our Journey when we came back from our road trip. We went on a 8700 km (5400 mile) 10 state trip. We came back about 2 weeks ago . Our Journey now has over 17,000 km(11,00 miles on it.) To date we have had no problems with it! Everything is working great. Sorry to hear others are having problems with yours. Gas mileage was better than we expected, the seats were great, the a/c kept up to 106 degree Las Vegas temps, even with the 2.4 L it easily cruised the interstates at 70-75-80 mph. Only the steep hills of Colorado made the 4 cyl work really hard. We had already knew the 4 cyl version was a little underpowered though, so we expected it.

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  A lucky find or a total bomb - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Allen - October 28 - 11:27 pm

  Dodge isnt consistent in this model. Some people get lucky and have no engine problems and some people dont. If your considering a stratus that has minor engine problems DONT GET IT PERIOD! Bought mine with a small oil leak. Ended up replacing the OEM headgasket ($1500 no biggie considering what I paid for it at the time--it was a common problem) fixed that and in a week the rear main oil seal went out. I knew I had problems and tried to sell it but now the transaxle quit and the engine is missfiring. After $3000.00 into it I cant sell it for a cent!

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  Durango SLT HEMI - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By JOE DIRT - October 28 - 4:06 am

  I have checked all the body panels for flush fits. Over all quality looks good. The leather seats seem a little hard for my likes. With the 4x4 lock on the Durango cuts through the snow like a snowmobile. As far as gas mileage I have gotten over 18mpg on all highway and 14mpg in the city with the hemi; it depends on your driving style. I would recommend the Durango to anyone; Chrysler hit a home run on this suv.

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  One Buff SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Ken N. - October 28 - 1:12 am

  I purchased this 2004 Dodge Durango SLT with the 4.7 and only 20000 miles on it. I wanted a nice SUV but didnt want to give one of my legs to get one. I looked at Dodge dealers for a newer Durango but the 2004 models were $22,000 and up?? I bought mine for a unreal price of $16,995. NO JOKE! Nothing wrong with it a one owner. It was at a Toyota dealer so I got it cheap. I love the BUFF style and the HUGE appearance. I was worried about the gas mileage but towing a car dolly and a 2004 Pontiac Vibe I got 16MPG. Impressed. I have owned 120 cars (seriously) in 32 years of my life and this is one of my favorites. A great deal and reliable enough to pass on to my 10 year old son.

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  Garbage... - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By CozmoCarera - October 28 - 12:00 am

  I hate this car. I have a 99 Durango and I have had just about nothing but problems with it. I have had to replace everything... the transmition, every single belt that is under the hood, the power window mechanisms, and today i was driving down the highway and looked down and my speedometer was on 0. In other words, the speedometer is broken as well. The check engine light also decides that hes going to join in on the fun every month or so just for the heck of it. Grade A piece of crap. I wil most likely never buy a Chrysler product ever again.

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  Mercedes design influence - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Sheila - October 27 - 10:44 pm

  I love this car for design, price, drive,and Mega room. Never experienced driving a car with a Suv feel but luxerious smooth comfortable drive.The dash dials and lighting is similar to mercedes,round white and simple, very similar to my sisters mercedes and drives just as smooth.Great touring car also,cant hear the outside traffic,backseat console with cup holders,air and heat controls in back also,reading lamps.liftgate lifts without having to lift it.Lights all up,has extra ac adapters in the back for tailgating. All kinds of cubicles to store stuff, air curtain bags on windows and airbags in front. Safe front seat for kids, air bag shuts off for them. Has a Hot rod look mixed with a wagon

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  Love it But could use a little more room - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Sam - October 27 - 9:11 pm

  Great Truck, Drives Smoothly, Accelerates quietly, room on the interior, V8 is a must though, drove the V6 and it had no pick up. There are a few major blind spots, but its a fix that takes about $5 to fix. bed is useable but could be a little deeper, I have a cover on it and have trouble putting some coolers underneath it. Only complaint, theres no where to put things, the glove compartment doesnt even fit the owners manual! Dodge is normally good with storage, but not in this case.

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  A Nice Package Inside & Out - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Vince Galati - October 27 - 8:35 pm

  I have a Black RT that is fully loaded. Nav system and display set car into 21st century. Satellite radio a must. Dont skimp on the amenities. They set the car apart. Added 20" wheels and look out. This car makes heads turn- that is the goal right?

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  Stay away - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Travlnmn41 - October 27 - 1:27 pm

  Do not buy this car. My AC went out after 3 years and it was no minor problem -- it was a $2,700 problem. Also had to completely replace my brakes and one part unique to the coupe was hard to find. The shop had to special order it and I was without a car for a week.