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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  Totally Awesome! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By chicagomark - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Durango…after 80K in a ‘99 SLT Plus (5.9L) and 30K in a ‘03 R/T (5.9L). After one month, I have 2K in this HEMI Limited. Adding 20-inch chrome rims (after market) makes a big difference in style. I am still amazed at the rapid acceleration coming off a ramp to enter the expressway or passing traffic. Can effortlessly cruise 75+ mph with good control, low noise, and still comfortable ride. I was surprised to see almost an extra 2 mpg with the 5.7L HEMI (avg 14 mpg) over my previous ’03 R/T 5.9L (avg 12.5 mpg). Gas tank is bigger, so I can go almost an extra 30 or 40 miles before refill. New Durango = best choice for performance and looks.

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  This van is a workhorse - 2000 Dodge Ram Van
  By fuzzyfish80537 - October 16 - 1:32 am

  The only trouble I have ever had was the water pump going out at 120,000 miles which is not what I would call premature. Other than that Ive had to replace the heater blower motor resistor, the turn signal flasher, and the bulbs in the overhead brake light. Thats all. Not bad in my opinion. It now has 170,000 miles on it and is still in great shape (except for the paint peeling). Its a workhorse, having only failed on me when the water pump went out. Keep up on the regular maintenance and keep the fluids fresh and it will run forever. BTW, its a 1500 half ton with a 318 5.2 liter v8 loaded about 1000 pounds over gross weight that I put 3500 one ton springs on. I love my Dodge van!

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  I want to like it, but... - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodgeball2 - October 15 - 11:26 pm

  I love the concept of this vehicle, with stow n go and dvd player, etc. But unfortunately I have had many serious problems with this car failing on me. Repeated jump starts, etc. Not to mention the car turning off while driving - and in serious situations like expressway driving. Maybe this one is a dud, but I would be happy to leave a better rating once I have a more reliable car and a safe one for myself and two toddlers.

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  Great Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By budo - October 15 - 9:10 am

  This is a GREAT car! Great power, handling, braking, comfort, style and quality. I love the sound system and the quiet that the car has to let you enjoy the music. Any car whose doors close with a bank vault solidity is a great car to me.

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  I love my gorgeous Avenger ES coupe!!! - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Danielle B. - October 15 - 2:10 am

  I bought my Avenger in September of this year, and I have loved every second of owning this car. I have had no problems at all with it, and I hope I never do. It has 99,000 miles on it, and it runs great. It drives great, looks awesome, and the interior is so comfortable. I have seriously almost fallen asleep in the seats before. I am also impressed with the fuel economy. I couldnt have been happier with any other car.

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  zoom - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dale - October 14 - 3:00 pm

  Great car to date, highly recommend.

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  Looks aint everything - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By CYA Dodge - October 13 - 2:00 am

  The exterior body has held up well to the salt and grime of Chicago winters. But, too many irritating flaws to consider purchasing this model again. Casper the ghost operates the wipers for no reason. Transmission was replaced at 75K (Chrysler did share the expense leaving me with $200 deductible). A/C blew air...sometimes it was actually cold.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Artist in the Ambula - October 13 - 1:06 am

  I have owned this car for a year now and it has been great. Dodges build quality while not exceptional has been better than my "German" Jetta of just a year younger. The power of this car is amazing. However, that does come at a price, especially with FWD, but torque steer is minimal. Gas mileage though is much worse than advertised. I stay out of boost throughout most of my driving and I average around 17mpg in the city. Highway is much better though, about 26mpg which is good for the car. The car turns heads but mostly from the wrong crowd that try to race unfortunately. Get car to take onto the track/drag. No matter all the negatives the car has, I love this car and will have it forever.

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  Its now called my Revenger. - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By wyJJ - October 12 - 10:10 pm

  Drive this car along I-90 in WY. Hit a deer at 75 mph with 250 miles on the odometer and the car ran another 75 miles to get me home. Realized that all that the damage was mostly plastic and that had probably saved the structural aspects of the car. Was wearing my seatbelt and I did not get tossed foward at all, felt extremely safe. I drive this car 120 miles round trip to work and home, through the fall and now winter, good handling car, I have not had any problems driving on snow and no problems starting this car in the cold. Brakes and steering are not soft and not touchy. Decent clearance for a lower riding car, suspension is great and rougher roads/dirt roads are no problem for this car

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  Dont Buy One - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By BeckyP - October 12 - 6:21 pm

  Less than 4 years after purchase this car has been nothing but problems. I just recently had a head gasket replaced, the head itself, and now the solenoid pack in the transmission. Thankfully all covered under warranty. Brakes went-cost $800, battery, tires. I take extremely good care of this car. I always have the oil changed every 3000 miles, spark plugs done, tires rotated, alignment checked, etc. This car has cost me more for being brand new than my 1990 Toyota(bought it in 1995) that I had for 7 years and way over 100,000 miles ever did.