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 car - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By lovekieshab - September 22 - 11:10 pm

  Love this car....the best car I have owned and I have owned BMW & Mercedes Benz. I love the gas mileage only fill up the gas tank every 2 weeks and $40 at the most. Great interior and amazing features. Perfect exterior love the back lights.

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  Great little Dodge - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By superuser1 - September 19 - 10:04 pm

  I absolutely love my Avenger R/T AWD I have had no problems at all and have put around 11000 miles in about a year (now 62000 miles) This car is fun to drive and gets alot of compliments.

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  2013 Dodge Dart Ralleye 1.4l Turbo Auto Trans - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By dleininger - September 17 - 12:55 pm

  It was painful for me, but I had to trade in my 2011 Dodge Charger R/T AWD for something with better mpgs and a lower monthly payment. I knew the Darts just came out, and I liked the idea of staying with a Dodge. After some research online I knew I had to have the Ralleye trim. The exterior looks on the Ralleye trim are what sets it apart from the limited. I opted for the $1300 1.4l turbo motor and another $1100 for the auto transmission. Im glad I did because this turbo is FUN to drive! Obviously my Charger had more power, but this Dart is a fun and stylish alternative to a Honda Civic, or Toyota Corolla, etc. The seats are nice and bolstered too, which I really like, very sporty.

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  Dodge journey is a Lemon - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By molly32 - September 17 - 9:58 am

  The worst car ever! I have had three sets of brakes and rotor under 25k I have had squeacky windows repaired several times radio has a mind of its own. I am at 27k now and brakes are bad again! now when I start it it makes a clicking noise and I have no idea what that is. the tires are bald and they some wierd brand of tire that costs $250 per tire plus installation and they are on backorder everywhere! I tried to get them take it back and they wont and not to mention that the car is work a fraction of what I paid I have the crew and it is now valued at 14,000 dollars so I cant even get rid of it. I called an attorney who said I have a good case but turns out I dont Chrysler only offered 25k

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  DODGE DURANGO 2012 - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By dmcc81 - September 14 - 1:16 pm

  I just rescently purchased a dodge durango 2012 about a month ago, being my 5th new vehicule from dodge, chrysler and jeep products since the last 15 years. Ive always loved dodge products but this new durango really surpasses all my expectations. From performance, comfort, cargo space, looks, its a beauty. Only a month and I love this truck more and more, only remains to try it in the snow. Great fuel economy versus the power it has and gives. So far, two thumbs up for a well built truck and hoping for many many more to come.

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  Great car - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By dartman2 - September 14 - 11:01 am

  I have owned my new Dart a little over two months and so far I am very pleased with it. The Dart won out over the focus and cruse because I liked the interior far more. It is simple staightforward, uncluttered and very comfortable. I have the rallye with the 1.4 litre turbo w/manual and I am averaging around 32 to 35 mpg depending on how much city driving I do. The ony complaint I have is that first gear could be taller because you only get rolling and need to shift. Also sometimes there is an annoying little rattle in the floating island bizel...but I am very picky so this may not be noticeable by everyone. Overall I am very happy with the car and glad I bought it!

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  Love this SUV! - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By headshrink - September 13 - 1:56 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for 10 months now and I am still loving it. It handles like a car, can take on the light offroading that I enjoy, can haul the entire car pool to school and looks great. What else can you aske for? Well, better gas mileage would be about it. Build quality has been outstanding thus far, much better than I had anticipated for a Chrysler product. Friends of mine who have bought the Jeep Grand Cherokee are wishing they had the durango because it is about the same suv but with mor cargo/seating.

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  What crap! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By heather42 - September 11 - 10:43 pm

  I bought my 07 Caliber in 09. It had 54,000 miles and was told it was a one owner. Ive had this car not even 3 years and I hate it! I have replaced the battery, headlight bulbs, tail light bulbs, the break calipers on both sides, the coil on both sides, had to change transmission fluid and filter, both wheel bearings, and now my "Brain" is going out and have to buy 4 new tires! I would not recommend that anyone buy this vehicle. Its been nothing but a money pit and the parts are not cheap.

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  My Old Sequoia Had to Go - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By docsider - September 11 - 12:07 pm

  Sadly, our family traded in the old Sequoia, shedding crodile tears--the new Sequoias looked like they had a front end from a dump truck. Our 2012 AWD 5.7L Citadel is wicked cool! Fit and finsh is great, there are so many whistles and bells, Im still finding cool things. The 5.7L Hemi is everything everyone said it is--including thirsty. I was initially a little leery about buying a Dodge, but nothing else that I looked at compared to the capacity, looks, performance and value. I used the employee discount program through my work, so there was no hassle on the purchase price. Cant wait to see how this thing drives in the snow this winter.

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  I really want to love this truck but I cant - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By hoogoosedmoose - September 10 - 2:49 pm

  I bought this truck new in the summer of 2005. there was a year end clearance sale and I got a good deal on it. V8 engine, 4 wheel drive, very comfortable seats and drives and handles well. The plastic used on the doors is ultra cheap however, the dash is a little better but not much. having 4 wheel drive for ohio winters is nice, this is not a truck made for heavy 4 wheeling. I knew that buying it though. I cant get over 15mpg no matter what I do. for what the mileage is it should have a lot more low end grunt. that and a lot of times the transmission feels like its in the wrong gear a lot. like it should downshift faster when hitting the gas