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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  Death trap! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By dmsmith - June 24 - 11:30 am

  I have had this car for a year and 4 months. I let my 19 year old daughter drive it to Florida. While there she was in a minor fender bender. Minor for the person she hit. Major for the damage that was caused to my car. She hit the rear of a 2001 Saturn scratched the bumper. My car had a bumper frame (not the bumper cover) that was pushed into the radiator then into the condenser fan this was a 25 mph hit no airbags deployed. I hate to think how this car would have performed in a more serious accident I cannot wait to get rid of this car not impressed with it before this happened. Also FYI parts are ridiculous. I wish we had just let her take her jeep with a bad tire it would have been safer.

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  1998 Dodge Stratus - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By godomino - June 24 - 8:42 am

  I purchased this car used with about 10,000 miles to start. Since my purchase in 1998 I have not had any problems with this car. I have just done routine maintenace on it. Have not had any components fail. Very good car!

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  2001 Dodge Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Mark - June 23 - 5:31 pm

  Ive had nothing but good luck with my Durango. I get darn good mileage considing the size of the vehicle. Around 20 mpg average with the 4.7L V8. Its been extremely reliable as I have not had a problem in the 4 years and over 85,000 miles I have owned it. The only draw back is it likes to eat tires. Im going through a set about every 25,.000 miles.

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  This is no NEON - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Donald - June 21 - 3:46 pm

  The hype "was" that this was a replacement for the NEON! This car is so much better than the Neon, it has a removable Ultra deck (cargo deck that will hold up to 250 pounds. I have a navigation system with a boom box that that is attached to the rear hatch door with 348 watts of power for tailgating parties. I also have a place for my ipod that plays through the speaker system in the car. This is not another NEON, this is the new Dodge CALIBER!

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  Fun car.. no fun getting it towed - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By dougo - June 20 - 4:06 am

  My continued saga of problems had an unhappy xmas, my radiator burst... now I have had Brakes re-adjusted (for squeeling), Oil Pump failed, Power Steering failed, and now my Radiator. Getting my third towing in 2 months..... Yes I still love my car, but am getting sick of the problems. The wife is getting a new car shortly and it will be either a Honda or Toyota

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  Fastttttttttttttt - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By srt4you - June 20 - 2:00 am

  fun car I have owned over 100 cars to this day none more fun

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  It helped us make a tough decision easier. - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By smoo4asw - June 19 - 8:24 pm

  I got to see what a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country would have been like after 8 years of our use, and it wasnt pretty. The engine had half the power of the 2005 Chrysler Town and Country we were sold on until it was bought out from under us, and while it was still much more than a 3.3 liter V6 in a long wheelbase model, it was nowhere near the "Wow!" that the low-mileage 2 years older fully tuned up 2005 Chrysler Town and Country had. Since the Town and Country was sold the day before we had the cash, I valued the experience this van provided.

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  Wonderful Minivan - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Randy - June 19 - 6:50 pm

  Joy to own. A very comfortable ride, and a very versatile vehicle with Stow N Go seating. 24 MPG on trips and about 20 MPG. Captain chairs in the middle were new for us but definitely an asset. With the larger V6 we have no trouble going up most hills in overdrive. With rear air the vehicle stays cool. While we dont use the power doors and liftgate all the time but they are a great option. Even with the seats up there is a great deal of room for cargo either behind the back bench seat or in the floor area in front of the middle seat. Have had the vehicle for 8 months without any problems.

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  Best Truck I ever owned - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By brown48047 - June 19 - 4:28 pm

  I loved the truck from the day I drove off the lot. Now 117K miles later I still feel the same. The catalyic converter went at 80K(warranty). A/C went at 115K ($875) which I paid because I still want to keep the truck. My brother works for GM, and I have a GM Card, but I still prefer my Dodge. I take care of my truck and my truck takes care of me.

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  Noise Nuisance - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By earnewil - June 19 - 1:53 pm

  General Design of the 2008 Grand Caravan is the reason for purchase. It has large cargo space when the rear seats are folded and stored under the floor with minimal effort.