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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  Hard to drive it slow... - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By brunilson - July 14 - 1:22 pm

  I love this car, and after having a Charger RT 2011 I recommend the Challenger V6, since it is more fuel efficient, the 305hp is still very fun to drive, and the insurance will be much lower than the V8. The look is the same, and everyone will take pictures and give the attention as it was the RT or even the SRT.

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  amazing truck - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By melissa12493 - July 14 - 12:19 pm

  My family has owned our 2000 durango for 12 years now and it is a fantastic truck. With just about 166,000 miles its still kicking. Just took a truckload of people comfortably to Warped Tour in it with no problems. With the seats down, theres like 80 cubic feet of storage (more than a hummer). Only things that have been replaced are the door locks and heater core and also the AC compressor a long time ago. Cant kill this engine if you tried. A true tank in the snow and ice. Only complaint is the gas mileage, but otherwise this truck has served me well.

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  A Mercedes ML-350 for half the price! - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By dhagge02 - July 13 - 7:21 am

  I have driven a Mercedes ML-350 for the past two years and when I found out that the Durango is built on the same platform (a leftover from when Daimler owned Chrysler, splitting in mid-2008), I had to test drive it. It has the same exact quality, fit and finish, road feel, and many of the same features of the ML-350. Except the price tag! The vehicle looks great, is amazingly quiet, plushly appointed - and yet manly. The optional 3rd row seat with middle row captains chairs give the interior that convenient and huge mini-van feeling - yet youre not subjected to actually driving a mini-van. I have driven so many vehicles and this is, hands-down, my favorite ever.

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  Repeat Durango Customer! - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By joe90278 - July 13 - 12:45 am

  I am completely satisfied with my 2012 Dodge Durango. I got the SXT V6 model with RWD. The comfort level, design and luxurious feel of the 2012 Durango are really amazing even on this entry level SXT model. The performance from the 290hp 3.6L V6 motor is more than adequate. It hauls my family of 4 and all our gear with plenty of sure footed power. Granted it not going to have that knock your socks off power, but for those who are looking for that or those who complain the V6 is lacking…Dodge does offer the Durango in a 5.8L Hemi V8 that should do the job. Anyway, I knew what I was looking for in ride, comfort, and power. And I found it in this 2012 Dodge Durango SXT!

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  Love this car. - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By - July 10 - 7:25 pm

  I simply love this car. It is the base V6 model. Redline red in color. Would I buy one again? In less than a heart beat. People from small children, to older grammas comment on how pretty of a car that it is. Everybody loves the looks of this one..so do I.

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  Durango vs Lincoln - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By waaman - July 8 - 12:20 pm

  I owned a Lincoln Aviator for 9yrs. I tried to find something that compared to the Aviator but nothing came close to the Durango 2012. If anyone drives on I-95 in New England this vehicle gives you power and handling which makes you feel very safe . When I drive this vehicle I feel like kid again. I drove muscle cars in the 60s & 70s and I feel like I am back there again.

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  Awesome - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By parker21 - July 5 - 11:19 am

  What a great little car! I bought it as my first car for $300 with 149000 miles not too bad for 12 years old. It has few problems but I heard neons are easy to work on. Its also very comfortable and more interior room and features compared to the older past generation neon. Hope to have this car for a long time and get it running in time to get my license wish me luck with my new car eveyone bye! 2000 Dodge neon ES Automatic

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  What a junk but nice body style - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By manny2126 - July 4 - 9:51 pm

  Paint already discoloring on the fender, no way of checking the trans oil, wheel hubs needs to be replaced makes noise, a/c compresor gone needs to be changed, brakes done twice and 2 rotors replaced, wiper motor recalled and replaced, blower motor replaces twice, front seat plastic cover broken off just from exiting, 2 tire gage replaced without the 75.00 computer stem.

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  Great First Car! - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By darrenlp - July 1 - 1:22 pm

  I bought this car last month as my first car from my grandmother with 82k miles on it. Ive driven it before that as well, and its a great car with a ton of features and it runs great! I plan on having this car for at least 10 more years (I think itll make it that far). I highly recommend getting the 3.5L engine, rather than the 2.7L. I did my research, and that model seems to require a lot more upkeep then the 3.5L does.

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  Do not buy this vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By jessicap - June 30 - 10:55 am

  I bought a 2009 Journey because it had everything I wanted in a vehicle. Turned out to be the worst vehivle Ive ever owned. I bought it used in 12-2010 from my local Dodger dealership. Within 15 months, Ive had all 4 valve stems replaced, new brakes and rotors and now my transmission died today (its stuck in 2nd). The tires are also expensive to replace, costing around $1200 to replace all 4. When the valve stems starting going one at a time, the Dodge dealiship initially told me it was my problem and Id have to pay for it. The first one went out 3 months after my purchase. next one, 6 months, then 9 months then the last one went out at 15 months after purchase. Not worth it!!!!