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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  Good Choice - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By wt.pm - June 6 - 7:20 am

  This is the 5th Caravan/Voyager I have owned, all but the one with the 3.0 engine have been excellent vehicles. My first one had the 2.5 4-banger, the rest have had the 3.3, and I have averaged between 190k-300k miles on them. I have back problems, and have not found a vehicle that rides and drives as good around town, or on long trips. I have never had the trans problems associated with the vehicle, but I service my trans, every 75k-100k miles.

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  best SUV - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Ted ODonnell - June 5 - 5:55 pm

  I just did 3000 km in 3 days and it was fantastic.

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  Love My 1st Car! - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Tera - June 4 - 9:34 pm

  I am a 21 yr old college student. I was recently looking for my 1st car and the caliber wasnt my 1st choice. Originally wanted an Aveo. I dont really know how I became interested in the caliber because I didnt know anything about them. Bought a 2008 SE and I absolutely love it. It rides really good, great stereo system and pretty cool features. I believe if ever I traded it in it would be for a newer model caliber! Just awesome!

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  Best SUV ever owned. - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Ed - June 4 - 9:34 pm

  Ive owned my Dodge Durango Night Runner for three years already, it has 37,000 miles and Im still impressed. The best part about this truck is the HEMI engine, great power, great performance and of course great fuel mileage for a V8. Ive never experienced any mechanical problems or any kind of problems, the only times it visits the dealer is for service and thats it. Its very comfortable for those long trips and its built tough.

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  Wow! I love this car! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Steve - June 2 - 6:26 pm

  Well the only real mark down I can give this vehicle is on the gas mileage, but its got a HEMI! So who cares! I didnt buy it to be practical or rational or any other logic other than I had to have it and I waited long enough! I was not disappointed in the least, it goes like a bat out of hell when you mash the pedal! What else do you really want to know? Go to the nearest dealer, test drive one and you will have all of your answers, promise.

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  Charge! - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By BrianT - June 1 - 10:10 am

  Love my R/T so far. 1400 miles on it. Stock performance is fantastic, but even greater with a programmer V8 sound literally turns heads. Not a fan of the MDS sound when 4 cyls turn off. Seat comfort is wonderful plenty of room for 5 passengers, especially in rear seat. Fits my family very well. Hard to keep foot of gas. HDD system is nice but not as sophisticated as other systems. Sound system is very nice and the bass pumps. Wish car had hood struts instead of the metal stand. Wish a couple other convenience items were standard - see below. This car is worth the money. Its been a while since Ive enjoyed a car this much.

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  Avenger - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By bee - May 31 - 8:20 pm

  I got an avenger today and I am loving it. I drove 83 miles on a full tank by the time I got home it was 1/4 tank used. I love this ride. I also have 2 teenagers and a 2 yr boys room I have for them and thats what I was looking for. Go get one try it youll love it

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  Silky Smooth, Quiet Ride - Awesome Car! - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Hinterlander - May 31 - 7:39 pm

  Just finished first 1,000 miles on this dark blue beauty. Six speed auto is very smooth and the engine is responsive and fuel efficient. Round trip fuel economy for holiday weekend 500 mile trip was 26.8 mpg! We love the two zone temperature controls and six cd sound system.

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  Realistc Review - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By jacsr - May 30 - 7:41 am

  I am a longtime Chrysler buyer, 18 yrs. I spent about 8 weeks looking for a new car as my Chrysler Sebring was ready to come off lease, looked at them all, Ford, Chevy, Kia, Hyundai, etc. I have been driving this 2010 Pacific Blue caliber for about a month, and 1500 miles. My only complaint is that the operation of the chill zone is not adequate, I suppose if I was on the road 3-4 hrs it would be, directions for it are scanty also. My wife thinks the seat comfort is great, she hated the seats in my 2007 Sebring.

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  40 years in waiting - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By radiodaz - May 29 - 6:17 am

  Wanted one when I was discharged from the USAF in 1970, was planning on college and the owner encouraged me to wait until after college. I did, met a gal, got married, built our home, started a family, muscle car really didnt seems to fit nor could I really justify the cost of one. The itch never did go away and after my kids were grown and on their own, I revisited the dealer and drove home an orange hemi Dodge RT, didnt make me feel 22, but it did feel good. I believe Chrysler got this retro right, If I close my eyes I almost feel like Im in the dealer showroom back in 1970.