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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  Challenger Rocks - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Ronalddog - March 22 - 7:48 pm

  I originally rented this car in Cleveland Ohio in the great snow storm of Feb 26-28 2010. The weather could not have been any worse with over 5-6 inches of snow on ground. I drove all over Cuyahoga county from downtown to Summit county numerous times - never got stuck or slipped once. Unbelievable ride. I purchased my Challenger on March 13th. I love this car - it is big enough for me (62" 235 lbs) and even the V6 has great acceleration. I would be afraid to drive the SRT cause the cops would have me in a couple of minutes. The car is just solid in every respect.

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  Me and my Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Gigi - March 19 - 9:29 pm

  I was the first owner and with a little help on the gas mileage, I would never give it up. Body still good, interior quality was very good after all the years and the people no real wear and tear to speak of. Drives like a car and makes me feel safe. Stereo needs to be changed but...

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  Favorite car Ive owned so far. - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By ender626 - March 18 - 12:39 pm

  I was shopping for a mid-size SUV and pretty much looked at what every major car company had to offer in the $25,000 dollar range. I love this car because its style is timeless, not too boxy and not too round. The SXT is also a V6, which is great. I test drove the SE model and found that the V4 wasnt powerful enough for the weight of the car. Test drive them both!

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  TANK! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By smiley - March 17 - 7:12 am

  I have owned my 99 intrepid for about 6 months put it through hell and back. a week after i got it i smeared a deer. sat in the garage till Jan. got the new door and fender that was messed up from hitting the deer. yesterday i rear ended someone and totaled his car. only scratched my car. I hit him doing 40. and Im still driving it. no problems besides deployed airbags now. Love this car! Im getting another one!

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  Im in love! - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By MiamiMike - March 16 - 10:54 am

  As a former BMW and Acura driver, I am accustomed to quality and reliability along with performance. I must say, this Dodge is the best car I have ever owned! Its comfortable, quiet and fast. It is also the best looking car on the road. The dealer service is also outstanding. Dodge has finally done it!

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  Great Car! - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By Great Car! - March 16 - 10:18 am

  I love this car! It has performed so well, and has been a joy to drive. I love the smoothness of the transition and the quietness of the cabin. It has been everything I wanted!

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  srt8 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Dave Hicks - March 16 - 12:52 am

  My wife and I love this car. It turns heads everywhere we go. Dont buy this car if you dont like being approached by strangers. The engine is so damned powerful, I love getting on the expressway, youre doing over 80 before you realize it. the ride is pretty smooth for a lowered performance car, the 6 speaker Boston Acoustics sound system is great, the seats are perfect , its a race car when you floor the gas pedal, but smooth and quiet when you dont feel like playing nascar. Its the perfect car, good job Dodge, I LOVE IT!

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  Just a Blast - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By dragin19 - March 14 - 8:44 pm

  My wife and i purchased this car new, in April of 07. Our first trip was half way across the country in may of 07. it was fantastic. we experienced minor issues with stalling and such but a reprogramming of the transmission controller fixed that. We purchased the 2.7l v6 and wow, it accelerates like no buddies business, with 18" rims and the touring suspension it rides great. The stereo is great just wish now that we had opted for the MyGig system (60gig hd). The fuel economy is great to for the car, nearly 33mph on long highway trips, and so so city, about 19+.

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  Gas mileage - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Bud - March 13 - 8:26 pm

  Im only doing this because you showed fuel economy 20 mpg. I get 30 mpg highway even got 32 mpg all the way across Wyoming on 85 octane. Checked mpg closely last August - carefully - got 30 mpg exactly. Current odometer 99k. Im 78 yrs old. Owned several Chryslers and Dodges and Fords. Chrysler was better by far.

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  2010 Avenger R/T w/V6 - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By reburton - March 13 - 1:40 pm

  This car is nice for everyday distance driving 120 miles a day. 3.5L V6 24V MPI Color Scheme: Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat External, Dark Slate Grey lower 1/2 with off white upper 1/2 interior. White LED interior lighting. Drivability: with slow starts in city driving, you feel all 6 gears before you hit 40 MPH. With quick starts like the on ramp to interstates, you only feel 3 gears and then the 6th for overdrive. This car WILL throw you back into the seat during rapid acceleration, but not with the same force as a V8. Mileage for the 120 mile trip is around 28 MPG according to the traveler trip computer.