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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  Silver Bullet - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Tony Skells - April 5 - 11:48 am

  I bought a new 1970 challenger se and kept it for 8 years until the family outgrew it. it was a great car and in the time i owned it i did nothing except do oil changes and tune ups. my 2009 rt is a better performing car than the original. i like the mds tranny as a gas saver. compared to ford and gm Chrysler got the retro challenger looking right. the fit and finish is a-one. my wife gets to drive it more than i do. she is a driver and loves the car. there are a lot of auto suppliers on line that have a lot of upgrade items for this car.since 2009 Chrysler has also put out a catalog of accessories.

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  Nothing Stealthy about it! - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Neil - April 3 - 9:30 am

  One of the best cars (out of 35+) Ive ever owned. Great, head-turning styling to this day, good acceleration for a non-turbo, and comfortable seating. Ive made 15-hour drives (Boca to DC) with only two gas stops and still had no back issues. The 20-gallon tank makes long trips a breeze, getting over 500 miles per tank. Have spent almost nothing on maintenance

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  Great Car! - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Rich - April 2 - 10:28 pm

  Shopped for weeks and test drove a lot of different models. My wife loves the way it drives, the seat comfort and seating position. We feel it was by far the best value for the dollar. Currently we get 24 to 27 MPG on the highway, with the RT hemi V8. Dont believe everything the "Biased" Toyota/Honda Consumer reports Mag. says. These are good cars. I had 95,000 trouble free miles on a 2001 300M that was a well designed sport sedan and joy to drive as well.

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  Vvroom - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By RamIt - April 2 - 9:04 pm

  My wife and I bought our brand new Deep water blue Charger SXT AWD a week ago. We love it! Hugs turns and charges ahead in the higher RPM band. We are already compliments from passersby about the handsome looks of this car. My wife and I are very different heights, but this is no problem with the adj. pedals and telescopic steering wheel. Rear seats fit our childrens car seats with room to spare. This car fits our family like glove. 256 miles is not enough for accurate review, will post again later.

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  Time machine - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Overland - April 2 - 5:21 pm

  Stunning car that really does turn heads. The SE is not too fast, but fine for city traffic. Mine has the G package and rally package. Very solid ride. Very quiet on the road. Good interior - comfortable with good materials. Back seat OK for kids, but on the tight side for adults. Great trunk - ever bigger with the fold down rear seats. Makes me feel like Kowalski. Anyone know what Sirius station Super Soul is on?

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  Awesome! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Andres - March 31 - 9:52 pm

  I like the power, the feel, the styling. People stare at the car. Mine is the b5 blue with side stripes.

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  Dodge Challenger RT - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By toyak - March 31 - 5:06 pm

  My first car was a 1970 beater Barracuda I had in the army. Always wanted to rebuild it but never had the money until 29 years later. The car gets the look 95% correct (including the interior). The car is very fast, competent on the road including ice and snow (we live in Alaska) and extremely comfortable (for me at 511" my 54 wife does not not share my opinion on comfort). For a 4100 pound car its performance is great. I have the 6 speed which is fun (1/4 miler faster with an auto). I average 19 mpg. If you are gentle on acceleration milage is all right, if not the Hemi is fast and thirsty. My worst tank average 11 mpg and best 23. I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old, back seats fine

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  Best Truck Ever - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By dmtrask - March 31 - 4:08 pm

  Bought this truck new in August 2001 and have enjoyed it ever since. Plenty of power from the 4.7L V8, great body style, and reliable from the get-go. I have 165,000 miles on the truck and it doesnt eat a lick of oil between changes (every 3000 miles). Best of all, it does everything I ask of it. It tows my trailer with no problem at all, hauls most anything that will fit in the bed, and doesnt seem to be pressed no matter what the cargo.

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  Overall good buy - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By christabelleigh - March 31 - 10:24 am

  It is not very comfortable on long drives > 6 hours. Replaced tires at 45,000 miles (but my alignment was off, which could account for some of the wear). Sounds weird, but if it is below freezing outside, my cruise control wont turn on. No problems otherwise, have been performing maintenance as recommended. Would buy again. Headlights are very bright, oncoming traffic always thinks that I have on high beams.

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  Damn good SUV - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By NYFREEZE - March 30 - 8:28 pm

  I have to say we bought this SUV and it already had 90,000 on it. Was a little worried about the millage but 2 yrs latter no worries at all. Are Durango currently has 123,000 and drives and looks new. Normal cost to operate tires, oil, mostly preventive maintenance. I live in upstate NY and the winters are very harsh and the 4x4 comes in very Handy. We only put it in 4wd when needed. We have a family of 6 and got sick and tired of the mini van thing and this took its place very admirably. Will never go back. Besides once you drive this in the winter you wont want anything else. Took this SUV everywhere.