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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  Piece of junk - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pixie - January 27 - 6:23 pm

  We bought this van last year. Since then besides almost everything inside falling off,ripping or breatking, we had two cylinders freeze up. We got them fixed, and they just did it again and we have shelled out a ton of money due to loopholes where our warrenty didnt cover it. This van takes constant keep up and money and now were stuck owing $18,000 on a van that isnt even worth $13,000. Dont buy one!

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  Highest Recommendation - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By magnuman - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Magnum RT nearly 3 months now, and love it. Everyone stares at it and many ask about it and want to know how I like it. Its roomy, gets good mileage for a high performance vehicle, and handles great for its size. Its a superb replacement for my SUV. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants/needs a vehicle with some room, performance, handling, looks and descent mileage, all at a resonable price. My two thumbs go up for this "sports tourer". I enjoy driving it so much that I get Magnumb!!

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  Mikes Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By MAGMAN - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Design of Magnum is great. I got the first Magnum delivered into Knoxville,Tn. on 05/26/2004. I had ordered the car on 02/07/04. I have never had as many coments as I have had on this new car and I have owned several new cars.I love driving the new Magnum and I have had only 2 problems with it. It has a right hand pull and high speed vibration. They have came out with a bolt kit for the cradle or K member, to give a caster and camber adjustment to eleminate the right pull and load balance of the tires and wheels fixed the vibration. The car is fun and powerful to drive and sure turns heads. Yes it does have a HEMI.

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  head turner - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By michael 69 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  i have people point and stop what there doing when ever i drive this auto in this small mid west town,i ordered this dodge it took 4 months to get it

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  Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Bridget and John - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This vechicle is a pleasure to drive and ride in. My husband and I truely love the room and the feel of this car. We are able to use this car to travel in and have the room we need to haul 3 grand sons in and around. The looks we get when we drive the magnum are unbeleiveable. I think the black color is the best out of all the colors. The special feature of the car going into a 4 cylindar at around 50 miles per hour give you a great gas milage for a hemi. We just love it and you will to if you give it a chance. We were an Intrepid owner since 1993 and owned 7 of them, so to go to the magnum was a big step for us but a very great one.

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  Love my car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By SL Beckes - January 26 - 7:36 am

  One day in Feb 05 my car saved my life while driving in snow. An 18 wheeler drove me off the road. I went off and back on the road where I believe many other cars would have crashed. I love this car.

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  Best exotic supercar for money! - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By 2002GTS - January 25 - 11:10 pm

  Not only does this car get major attention but it has the performance to back it up. I originally bought this car as a weekend car, but it has turned into a daily driver (I cant not drive it). The car is car has been very reliable. It does have an inflated cost of ownership. Gas milage is bad, tires only get about 15k miles and cost $350 each. But this is to be expected on a vehicle like this.

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  2008 nightmare - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By terkray - January 25 - 7:33 pm

  This is my 3rd Chrysler minivan, dating back from 1994; 1st lasted 10yrs, 180K, 2nd one totaled in accident after 6 years - both of those vehicles had usual Chrysler issues, transmission, radiator. My 08 that I bought used from dealer 3 years ago, 30k miles - has been an absolute nightmare! I bought the extended warranty cuz of all the bells&whistles that came w/ this van; plus have a $150 deductible. This van has died on me at least 13 xs, stalled while driving @ 8xs, electrical panel gone awry, hatchdoor broke, slider broke, slider window broke, starter replaced 3xs, rear camera broke! If I did my research prior I would of NEVER EVER purchased van. Im 15k til end of warranty & I cry

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  Just wish I hadnt bought it! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Karen Kay - January 25 - 5:30 pm

  A car ownership nightmare! Ive had the car in the dealership 4 times in 8 months. It misses, hesitates, cant decide what gear it wants to be in....whatever you want to call it. They even replaced the transmission!! Now Chrysler says it cant be fixed & has declared the vehicle a lemon! Its still going to cost a lot of money cause they dont just take it back & give you a new one. You only get trade-in value & I wasnt ready to put out the bucks for a new car. Buyers beware!

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  From Happy ... to Crappy - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By DLD - January 25 - 12:30 am

  I was ecstatic when my journey finally came in (took 10 weeks, was promised 8). I have had it for less than 2K miles and I have had it in the shop twice for the electrical system, when I start the car on occasion (about once a week) nothing runs but the engine, no lights, radio, turn signals, gauges etc) and am having a problem with the transmission skipping and hopping and also it is pouring transmission fluid on the ground when it is parked. Been waiting on a part for over 2 weeks. I have been told twice that the electrical problem has been fixed but it is still happening. I really loved this car in the beginning but not any more unfortunately.