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:

• 

  Great Value - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By collegestudent - December 6 - 5:43 pm

  Having put in over 8k miles in 3 months, Ive come to intimately know my car (yeah 60 mile commutes to internship). It is overall a really great vehicle. Yes there are downsides, the third row is cramped, but to get a crossover with out that, Highlander, Flex, costs around 5 grand extra. For the money that the Journey costs, you get a lot of things no one else offers in the price range. The biggest downside Ive found is fuel economy, but I chose to sacrifice it for the other features. Hybrid Highlander, near 40k, awesome, yes, worth 12k extra, no. I will say, cruise control is friend, it changes economy by 1.8 mpg on my experience (120miles/day), and instead of going 75, go 65,

• 

  LOVE this car! - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Heather - December 6 - 2:00 pm

  I have had this car since Apr. 2000 and have not had a single problem. I have 100,300 miles on it now, and my job requires me to travel extensively across the country and so do road trips with friends...with not a problem to speak of. I will be buying another Stratus after I have to give this one up.

• 

  Annoying vehicle - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Magno - December 6 - 12:26 am

  1200 mi in 3 mo because of problems. Steering is stiff around center and very light elsewhere causes oversteer. Vehicle rolls excessively. Trans failed at 230 miles -no oil from factory. Backlash in the drivetrain and lurches at low speed. 2300 RPM power falls off then surges. RPM takes long time to drop- grinds syncros if shifted too fast. Clutch pedal has no feel-like a wet sponge. Shift light is annoying. Underpowered. Needs automatic to hide problems. Drivers mirror has big blind spot.

• 

  Much better than Chevy/Ford - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Brett - December 5 - 3:25 pm

  Good experience thus far with this vehicle (80,000+ miles). Minor electrical system issues/door actuators/control-arm bushings replaced. Ongoing issue with catalytic converter, more of a poor dealership service issue than with the vehicle. I have the 4wd version, VERY poor gas milage, especially with aftermarket agressive tires. I highly recommend buying extended warranty, as with any American car, interior accessories are beginning to fail.

• 

  Better than my 745i - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Les Walgreen - December 5 - 3:20 pm

  What an excellent car. I have gone from an $80K+ car to the Magnum RT AWD and I am not looking back. The car is fun to drive and hauls the mail. I never thought I would fall in love with a station wagon. Go ahead and by a BMW - I will love seeing you in my rear view mirror.

• 

  Phenomenal Value - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Josh L - December 5 - 11:46 am

  I rented the V6 and immediately noticed the comfortable ride, spacious interior, and well designed exterior. The SRT8 adds power that will push you back in your seat, extremely sporty and comfortable seats, and many options that you wouldnt expect from a sports car. I wanted a sports car but needed a family car. This gave me the look, feel, sound, and performance of a sports car with the room and convinience of a family car.

• 

  Buy it if you can... - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By caz - December 5 - 9:54 am

  I chose to buy a mid-range top of the line vehicle. You may ask, "why top of the line?" Quite simply, they are built better and with higher quality parts. My 2001 Dodge Intrepid R/T is very comfortable, sound, and reliable. Of course, I keep the vehicle maintenence and I plan on driving the vehicle through 200,000 miles. Outstanding gas mileage - 26 MPG. Very roomy - plenty of leg room

• 

  This is the car! - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jim - December 4 - 10:48 pm

  This car is the best car I have ever driven. There are many extras I wasnt even hoping for ... but now that I have them ... I am so glad I bought this car !

• 

  My black R/T AWD - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By mzree9 - December 4 - 9:06 pm

  I have only had my car for a week so far I love it. I also have a Ram 1500. and to me this is a mini ram. It is fun to drive and turns heads where ever we go. I hope we will have a long relationship. It has great gas mileage.

• 

  Waiting for SRT 10 Coupe - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Viper GTS 0001 - December 4 - 5:27 pm

  Ive been lucky to have a 2001 GTS Coupe and the SRT-10 Roadster. The roadster is definitely faster, more "tourquey" and more comfortable. On the down side, I still prefer the more "throaty" rear exhaust rumble of the 2001 GTS as well as its more radical looks. The yellow / back striped GTS definitely gets more pedestrian feedback than the red SRT- 10. Ive seen the "prototype" SRT-10 coupe and they got it right. Cant wait for its release. Is it here yet? Is it?