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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  I cant believe I bought a Durango... - 2018 Dodge Durango
  By Mike - February 21 - 3:42 pm

  Our family needed a three row SUV. We tried to downsize to a wagon, but it didnt work. I was charged with all of the research and test driving, and I drove them all. Honda, Mazda, VW, Toyota, etc. Some were too small (Toyota), some offered horrible value (VW), some were too much like a mini-van (Honda). I was getting frustrated with my search. I tried a Ford Explorer and didnt like it at all. I was flummoxed. I had read good things about the 2018 Durango, but I have NEVER been an FCA fan, and swore I would never buy one. Then...I test drove the Durango GT. Just wow. Solid, big, handled well, and quiet as a mouse inside. I did some more research. It rides on a relative of the GL/ML platform from when Daimler Benz owned part of Chrysler (so does the Grand Cherokee). The 8-speed automatic is sourced from ASIN, the same place that BMW and other high-end manufacturers get their trannys. The handling is excellent, primarily due to the perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and the rear-wheel bias (its a RWD car when it doesnt need the traction). The Durango is so air-tight that you really need to give the door a good slam, otherwise the air pressure prevents the door from closing. I thought the Beats audio system was terrible, but like many good speakers (I am an audiophile) the system needed to break in, and stretch the speakers a bit. I think it sounds very good now (not Levinson good, but certainly better than any Bose system). If you have been skeptical of the FCA brand in the past (lets face it theres plenty of reason to be) , but you need a good sized SUV, you HAVE to drive the Durango. It wont disappoint.

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  Love It - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By T. Henry - February 21 - 11:23 am

  Weve had our Caliber for a couple of months and we love it. It does not have much "get up and go", but feels sturdy and safe. Theres a lot of steep grades in our area & it handles them beautifully. Comfy inside, but blind spots are hard to get used to, especially in reverse. Gas mileage is fantastic, we average about 30 miles/gal. Storage space is excellent. Love its look and overall feel. Well see how it handles in winter.

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  99 Intrepid Review - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jim Katso - February 20 - 11:39 pm

  I bought an Intrepid ES with all options new in 1999 and have taken the car about 65,000 miles. While granted my annual mileage is low, I have kept a detailed log of repair expenses and have found the Intrepid to be very reliable to date. My transmission control module went at 35000 miles (warranty). Other repairs have been Keyless remote motor went ($200), Sway Link (warranty),passenger rear window motor ($150). So overall a very high quality level. The car is fun to drive, especially on long road trips. Handles well and has excellent acceleration for highway. I have found the performance in snow to be disappointing. Overall, when I see these cars listed for around $6K, its a value

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  LOVE MY RIDE - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By HILGENBERG - February 20 - 1:33 pm

  I have found that my new vehicle is so much fun to drive my wife and I fight over who is going to drive. I have found one thing I dont care for where the cruse control is located now. It should be back in the stering wheel.

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  Good price, good value - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Randy - February 19 - 11:14 am

  Excellent gas mileage and dependability. I think it has a nice sharp sedan look and it rides very well with great acceleration. I was impressed with its road handling for an inexpensive car.

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  Quality Car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Gary85741 - February 19 - 11:10 am

  This was my first new car in eighteen years. I researched my desired factors and options on the internet and arrived at a Dodge Stratus. I rather like having a car in which you dont see yourself coming and going on the highway (eg., not half the people are driving one.)

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  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By kathleen monahan - February 19 - 10:18 am

  This is a perfect car for people who have trouble getting in and out of cars. One can slide in and out. The seats are extremely comfortable and the ride enjoyable.

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  Hats off to the new Dakota - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By korndawg - February 19 - 4:43 am

  It is time for the other truck manufacturers to take a look at the new Dakota, and see how a truck is supposed to be built. By far this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. The exterior looks excellent, and it doesnt even begin to compare to the interior. The perfect vehicle for anyone that has ever wanted to have a truck and a luxury car. The only downside is the amount of leg room (or lack thereof) in the back seats. I owned a 2001 Dakota before this, and while I loved that truck, it does not begin to compare to the 2005. For all the Dakota owners out there that are thinking about trading up for the newer model, I say go for it.

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  07 caliber sxt 2.0 - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By mopar 1 dude - February 18 - 8:16 pm

  when i frist got my car peaple would turn there heads when i drove by.and told me they loved the color.it was sunburst orange.

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  Special Edition: A Very Nice Car - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dale - February 18 - 8:10 am

  I really like my 2005 Grand Caravan Special Edition. It is very comfortable on long trips and local short trips. Weve purchased the full mechanical system maintenance and havent used it at all even with four plus years of service. The things that I like about it are the stow-and- go since I filled the car several times with 4x8 sheets of plywood, and I didnt have to remove any seats; just stow them. The air conditioning, power, and quiet running are tops. The car came with manual cabin temp control which i dont like. I am still fond of the Grand Caravan but ready to sell after 46000 miles.