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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  Brings back memories - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By dennis - March 30 - 3:32 pm

  Congrats Dodge for hitting the nail on the head with the Challenger r/t. This thing rocks. Both with performance and looks. What a head Turner. I love the stereo and 5" nav screen. Cant wait for the cat back and cold air kit to come in and have installed. Should make it sound and perform even better than it does now. The hud headlights are something you will never want to do without. Wow! Ive always been a Chevy guy but was really disappointed with the non-classic look. I am really looking forward to summer. Thanks again Dodge

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  In Love with My Caliber - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By mrzalicia - March 29 - 11:53 am

  I would have to say im impressed with its room for me and my three kids. The gas mileage is great, especially in todays economy we need a car good on gas. It could be a little more stylish inside maybe a ipod connection like some cars are doing, there are some blind spots but over all I am a happy Dodge Caliber owner.

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  What great cars are made of - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By don - March 28 - 2:34 pm

  I ordered my charger in June /09 while there was a large rebate on them all together over 13,000 in discounts but their wasnt any 09 out there so I got a 2010 with the same rebates. The car is deep blue water Pearl that I had a custom shop put some decals on it in silver the car performs very well and gets great mileage for a car this size with a v/8. I find the car very comfortable even on long drives. I have had several cars including performance cars and this car comes close to my old cuda for fun to drive yet way more comfortable and reliable /my only complaint is even with top of the line snow/ice tires you have got to be very careful and drive slower or you will find yourself in trouble

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  Midlife crisis think not ,just having - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By Don - March 28 - 10:12 am

  I ordered my 2010 r/t in June to take advantage of the large rebate they had at the time, traded in my 07 ram 4x4, I really enjoy the car, I ordered in blue the had a custom shop add decals in silver. My only complaint is the car even with top of the line snow/ice tires it can be difficult to handle in Canadian winters /note this is a rwd model other then that the car gets unbeatable mileage for a v/8 car this size. And boy does it go!

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  Love my Dodge Stratus Coupe! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Nicole - March 28 - 12:49 am

  I bought my Dodge Stratus Coupe brand spanking new! It was one of the best decisions Ive made! Those who have had problems with theirs are probably driving it like its a four wheeler. Mine always gets regular oil changes & etc. I heard after 60,000 miles the transmission goes out...uh NO, NOT TRUE AT ALL. You should keep an eye on it after that amount of miles but as long as you TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR like you should you shouldnt have any problems! I have 106,000 miles on mine and its still running great!As far as the appearance some paint damage from too much sun exposure.

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  95 Dakota SLT - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By John W - March 26 - 8:15 am

  Fun to drive, does everything asked, and beats those hemi Dodges at the lights! Hauls boat with no problem and is excellent at boat launch-easy to maneuver and great traction coming out of the water.

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  Overall a good experience - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By bigrobotalligator - March 24 - 9:29 am

  When I purchasee this vehicle in 1998 it had about 80,000 km on it. overall through the years I feel it held up quite well. It did have some repairs done but not the flurry of them one frequently sees in reviews for it, maybe I just got lucky. However in my case this car did not age well, at around 220,000 km or so, it turned into a money pit and I ended up selling it for parts. Still I got 6 pretty good years out of it and feel it was a worthwhile purchase. Parts are also fairly cheap.

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  I love this car! - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By MBeeson - March 24 - 7:00 am

  Ive driven this car for about a year now and I am so in love with it. The only con that Ive found after all of this time is that the 2.7 liter v6 doesnt have the power that Im used to. I thought that I would get used to the lack of get up and go, but I never have. Thats why Im considering trading to something different since the larger v6 in the Magnums are hard to find in my area.

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  93 Dodge Stealth ES - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By thomask83 - March 23 - 9:53 pm

  For being my first Automatic Transaxle Drive car it is quick and fun. I wish they came standard with Neo Glo Gauges and cold air intake. Other than that the car is Beautiful, Especially when adding a full wide body kit and Dual Exhaust, and Lambo doors. The Head lights that Hide Away need to be like the non-Hide always like the 95 3000GT.

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  Had them all - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By richard tourigny - March 23 - 9:30 am

  This is by far the most fun car I had to ride yellow detonator srt8, it is embarrassing at times the attention it gets you can not stop at the mall or restaurant without somebody coming over and bother you, but for a hybrid I find the details very good and the information you get off your speedometer for your times and g-force etc. are great. Im very happy with my car.