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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  Still the Best Vehicle I Have Ever Owned! - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By bladeedge12 - August 27 - 3:53 am

  My 1994 Dodge Shadow ES was my second car, but the first one I bought myself. It is still the best vehicle I have owned and Im only on my 7th vehicle! I regret the day I traded it in, but I got a 1999 Chrysler Concorde for it. I miss my Shadow. Shouldve kept it and restored it.

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  Not for the money - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By ashbaugh - August 23 - 6:38 pm

  We bought our 2005 dodge 2 years ago. We have had nothing but trouble with it. The first thing that happened was that the gas gauge quit working, got it fixed now it only works half, yes have had it back to the garage to have fixed, they say nothing is wrong with the gas gauge. Now the newest thing to go wrong is the the 4 wheel drive is locking itself in and out. Took it to the garage they said it was the front controll module, had it fix, was that a lot of money. It is now back to doing the samething again and the garage says they cant find anything wrong with it. I will never own another dodge truck.

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  IN LOVE WITH MY NITRO - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By mylesmommy - August 22 - 8:43 am

  I fell in love with the Nitor at first sight and I havent had any big issues since I ourchased it brand new in 2008. I only have one child so I didnt need anything huge but I didnt want a golf ball this is perfect the gas milage is pretty good for an SUV. Its very fun to drive as it sits a little higher than other SUVs of the same size. I was in the army so off road diriving comes natural to me and my Nitro conforms to my semi wild life style. I wouldnt trade it for the world.

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  A different perspective - 2012 Dodge Journey
  By mitomom - August 19 - 6:44 pm

  I am a mother with a child with a life threatening disease. I traded in my Grand Caravan for a 2012 Journey and love it. I honestly hated the owning a minivan (even with ALL the options we had). The only downside to the Journey is lack of TVs, which is easily fixed with her Ipad and her portable DVD player. The wheelchair fits wonderfully in the back with the 3rd row folded down. The emegency medical supplies fit perfectly in the storage area in the back. I drive to our local childrens hospital 2-3 times a week (40 miles one way) and our mpg is averaging 21.5. The interior is beautiful. The details are great!

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  I love this truck! - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By bigrob54 - August 19 - 6:17 pm

  I bought my 99 Durango last fall. I purchased the vehical with the intent on making it into a mud bogger. I bought the truck from a retired couple that bought it new. They gave me all the recipts and a maintenace log. The truck only had 82000 miles on it! Over the winter I was in a accident with my everyday driver (2010 Silverado) The truck was totaled. I started to use the Durango as an everyday driver. I have NEVER owned a truck that did so well in the snow. I live in Northern Michigan. We get alot of snow! This Durango slices thru the snow at ease. I only had to use the 4 WD 3-4 times. I have since decieded not to turn this truck into a bogger. Its just in too good of shape. Great Truck!

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  built like a Sherman tank - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By daedmandave - August 16 - 1:37 pm

  i really do love my Durango. its survived a bad dealership trying to put it in the ground. its been rearended numerous times bulldozed a prius into oblivion and a few random deer into a sticky mess and the only damage its ever taken was a slight dent with a paint chip and a busted light. the engine is super tough pulled a fully loaded trailer across the country. as well as a regular pull of the horse trailer. only problem it ever had on its own was a bad water pump. main cooling fan went out and it never overheated, in phoenix in the middle of the summer. it could probably survive a nuclear bomb, my burnt skeletal corpse still holding the steering wheel and still be running

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  Best value in America - 2012 Dodge Journey
  By mikeyinthed - August 14 - 6:26 pm

  I got a great deal on my 2012 Dodge Journey after the $4,500 in rebates currently offered. This is the best value in America. Great gas mileage for the size of the vehicle, good performace from the 3.6L engine, quiet, smooth, refined interior compared to Chrysler products from the past, exterior styling offers some spice to a bland category. There is nothing I would change about my Journey. The Safe & Sound package is a must on the SXT models. It adds the rear parking sensors, rear camera, and the 8.4" screen. The screen is amazing and the interface with Apple products is my favorite feature. The other options I added was the 19" wheels and the perferred package.

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  Have a Journey Problem? - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mpnight93 - August 12 - 7:45 pm

  Like many of you I have had problems with my Dodge Journey also....... Take a look at http://www.change.org/petitions/dodge-journey-s-defects because we all know Dodge will NOT fix them. Brakes, win module and more cost you and me $300 to $600 each time due to their defects! Please take a minute to sign and pass along the link above thanks, Mike

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  weak towing, crappy heads - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By zcarguy73 - August 11 - 5:51 pm

  Bought my durango for 9 gs with 32000 miles. for 30000 miles no problem. Started falling apart at 60000 miles. The window regulators are constantly breaking. Had an overheating problem at 70000 miles while towing 2000 pounds (and thats a maybe). No big deal so I thought. Changed out the cooling system and still overheating. You guessed it, blown heads. I loved this car until now. Time to move on. Never again will I buy a dodge gas vehicle. Seems there diesels are the only thing worth it.

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  continuation of problems - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By gib21043 - August 11 - 12:05 pm

  In addition to the previous review of my power train control module failure the air conditioner is now broken as well. The A/C has a tendancy to turn off and on by itself. In addition the rear A/C would change from low cool to high heat and low fan to high fan with nobody touching the controls. When I compared with another 2012 durango on the lot and saw there was a differance the salesman that helped me explained that the A/C should turn on by itself. Even though its been in the high 90s to 100s here the rear heater should turn on by itseld because I have it too cold back there. Meanwhile my infant is sweating back there. Videos are on-line for review.