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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  Nitro stinkz - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By t - December 22 - 9:49 pm

  I think the Nitro stinkz.I will never recommend anyone to buy one. It gets bad gas mileage, it handles very, very poorly, Side mirrors are to big they get in the way. You cant see cars at the stop signs. Sunroof leaked.

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  The worse handling I have ever seen - 2016 Dodge Journey
  By Joey - December 13 - 7:49 am

  Make a sharp turn at 30 miles per hour and it leans heavy, I mean real heavy, like ready to rollover. Should not be allowed on the road. Totally unsafe. The death mobile !

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  This Dodge Avenger has been so unreliable - 2014 Dodge Avenger
  By William - December 8 - 5:45 am

  I bought my 2014 Dodge Avenger brand new and it has been in the shop on a regular at least twice a year. It is a lemon! I would not buy one if I were you! The Alternator alone was $600.00 with parts and labor. They had to build an entire new Ignition system that was not covered under any warranty so out of pocket another $1000.00!!!! Then the fuel injection stopped firing properly so another out of pocket $700.00! And now I turn the key this morning and nothing ! Battery is good ! Looks like another electrical issue with the ignition system. Totally unreliable car! I had to buy a used Honda just to have something reliable. My little honda has 175,000 miles on it and it is way more reliable than this Dodge Avenger!

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  Never want to drive this again - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Michael - November 25 - 12:42 am

  The car was reliable up until recently. In the dealership for the same problem, fifth time now in 2 weeks! The gas mileage is WORSE than my Sebring Touring, and that had a V6 in it. The transmission (CVT) makes the engine gutless and terrible drive in the winter. It has no torque, a quirk which gives no power while on an incline at times, and cheap build quality inside and out. This car is a terrible vehicle and unfit to be driven. Its unreliable, is a chore to drive, and a pain in the neck to maintain. The styling is the least of its bad points.

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  Bad Choice...DONT BUY - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Deann - October 29 - 1:05 pm

  Ever since I purchased the nitro i have had nothing but problems with it every time i take it in to get service they have a number of recalls and usually keep my suv for 5 days.. the roof racks have riped off 3 times, cant get the door to the gas cap open without a stick because the casing is broke for the 2 time there is no foot space on the driver side....sometimes it wont start... the engine light comes on and off continously...pieces of the interior vents are falling off...just a all around bad car

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  Worst Car Ever - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By No more Dodges - October 27 - 9:13 pm

  We bought this because Dodge was supposed to be the leader in mini- vans, but what a costly embarrassment this thing is. We replaced a transmission at 73,000 , the radio at 19,000 , one window motor and after that was fixed the other one went out. The worst part is that I could have bought a Ford with 0.0 percent and I made the mistake of buying this piece of Chrysler junk. If you buy a U.S. car stick with a Ford!

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By ihatemycaliber - October 23 - 9:43 am

  Bought my caliber Aug 2006. Was so excited I actually got one! Now I wish I had just walked away. Already replaced both outer tie rods, both struts, lower control arms blew and now the engine is dead. I am trading this in, taking a loss and getting a Honda. This was the worst mistake ever.

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  Worst Trade Ever - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By rgb - October 13 - 10:32 pm

  My brother, mother and I have all driven this thing at one point and we all hate it. The repairs done to this thing are too numerous to post. The transmission went out on it for a second time and I resolved never to buy another Dodge. I wont even look at things made by or associated with that company. When I see anything made by them no matter how cool,new and shiny I think about how this van was a leper in disguise. Everything thing on this van broke: gauges, hub assembly, wiper motor, electronics. Even the paint job was toast. There is truth behind all of those Dodge jokes on Married with Children. My Dads a mechanic and even with free labor this rust bucket wasnt worth it.

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  I hate it - 2009 Dodge Nitro
  By Mike - October 12 - 4:11 pm

  I hate this car the preformance is horrible it is not fun to drive I have broken down 3 times already I cant take it.

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  Junk - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By missy - September 8 - 6:40 am

  I have the SXT, 2.7 V6. This car is the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned. 3 1/2 weeks old, only put 200 miles on it. The lifters in the motor were bad. Water leaking onto floor, seat belts kept getting wet inside the door. Trunk leaking. Stereo speakers stopped working. The inside of this brand new car has all been taken apart, roof, doors, moldings, sunroof & nothing fits the same way as from the factory. This car has been back to the dealer 2-3 times every month since last June. Not enough space to list all problems. Now,the ignition switch sticks/stays in the start position (trying to start the car) BUT the car is already running, JUNK ! LEMON !!! Back to the dealer again !