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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  Best vehicle Ive owned - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Roger vlietstra - April 25 - 8:56 pm

  I bought this truck new in 2002 and have loved it all the while. Only had to replace an o2 sensor. My previous truck was an Isuzu and the Dakota is a million times better. I haul welders, tools and a trailer, so it gets used. I expect to get another 8 years out of it. I get about 13 mpg with tools in and about 17 mpg empty. I put an extra leaf spring in it to help haul the weight which was a great idea.

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  I love my Spunky! - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By musicmamma - April 25 - 5:44 pm

  I turned in my Durango and decided I needed something smaller with better gas mileage. I always name my cars, so after I took it on a particular drive I found out that it was so "Spunky" for a 4 cylinder that I named him spunky. He drives great, gets great gas mileage and was a perfect buy for me. Within my first month I drove him to Williamsburg VA and back to PA, he took only a tank down and one back. I had 3 total passengers, all of us rather large in the middle and we enjoyed the ride and the cost.

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  Really nice car - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Ian - April 24 - 8:15 pm

  I have owned this car for several months and, overall, it is really a nice car. It is the SE base model with the 1.8 liter engine. I bought the manual shift as I am using it to tow behind my RV. I added cruise control, power windows and power door locks. I would not recommend anyone to install the above after market stuff as it has been kind of a hassle, but it all works well. I have no idea why any auto company would sell a car without cruise, power windows, door locks and mirrors, it just does not make sense. The car is slightly slow if you want to race another driver, but overall is powered with the manual just fine. There is a blind spot at the rear sides, use rear view mirrors.

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  This is the 6th dodge truck ive owned - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By javelin - April 23 - 11:41 pm

  I bought this truck 3 months ago for $2500.00 and its the best $2500.00 Ive ever spent.Truck has 180,000 and runs like a champ.The 6th dodge Ive owned and as you can see it will always be this way. Dodge Dakota best truck on the road.

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  Awesome car! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By FERNIE - April 21 - 7:25 am

  This car is one of the best cars I have ever driven during the past 35 years. Super smooth, sexy and always turns heads. would recommend.

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  Great Vehicle - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Love It - April 20 - 9:01 am

  Traded in my 2010 Mazda 5 for this beauty. Great ride lots of room. Very quite inside, no road noise. Great fuel economy. Definitely recommend this vehicle.

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  A Very Cool Nanas Avenger - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By sportynana - April 19 - 9:27 pm

  At age 63, I LOVE this car as it feels real sporty to drive - even at my age! Ive only owned it for 5 months - it has only 16,000 miles on it and so far, no troubles. It gets very good mileage - even around town. Its very easy to park the car (I had a van b/4 and had a very difficult time parking and backing up). Its just plain fun to drive and the gorgeous blue color and spoiler on the trunk is terrific!

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  Solidly Built and Reliable - 1991 Dodge Spirit
  By Dale - April 18 - 12:22 pm

  I bought this car because my 01 Stratus was totaled over the winter. It had 110,700 miles on it at purchase, and now has 113,000. This car handles freeway speeds of 75-80 mph with no problems, and I use the freeway 3 or more times a week traveling between 20 and 30 mile distances one way. The power seats are comfortable and all the controls are simple and within reach. Im 64 and the leg room is ample enough for comfort. I would recommend the Spirit to anybody needing affordable, reliable transportation.

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  Very good car! - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By HFSMM1 - April 17 - 5:19 pm

  I bought this car used with about 66,000 miles and have had it until present April 2010 with 182,000 mi. It has performed very well. It always starts up in cold weather and runs well. I have had to repair it of course (normal wear and tear) but I like this car a lot and was (is still to a degree) a head turner. Very quick and fun to drive. Since it is FWD it pulls well in the snow but it has low clearance so if its more than 4 inches of snow I get stuck. I am about to buy a new car and will probably sell it. If I could afford to keep 2 cars I would keep it. I am sure this car would/will do 1 million miles.

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  This is a Great American Car! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Cyndi - April 17 - 5:03 pm

  Roomy comfortable seats, quiet smooth engine (v6) and a lot of eyeball, this car is going to be a classic!