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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  Expectations met - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By steve - June 30 - 9:42 am

  i started reading the bad reviews about 4 years ago and was nervous until i realized I had the 3.5 engine. Bought it new and have had it now 10 years with 145,000 miles. It is the most comfortable riding car i have ever had. Transmission problems in 2003, but other than that, nothing major. there have been a lot of little annoying things that have gone wrong: power windows, heater fan, power locks etc. Right now it seems to be running like a clock!

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  2.7 L Engine Problems - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Todd N. - June 27 - 10:36 am

  I purchased this Dodge Intrepid for my 87-year old Mother. It had 32,000 miles and I had it checked out by the local Dodge dealer who gave it his stamp of approval.I had the dealer flush the engine and replace the oil with synthetic and a 5 micron oil filter. When I picked up the car, a mechanic told me very quietly, “This won’t help.” He knew what I was trying to avoid. He said these engines are junk. I gave the car to my Mother and she was very happy, for about 1500 miles when the engine blew due to an “Oil Sludge” problem, so said the dealer. I ended up buying a kit to have a 3.2L installed. It is still on the road today but this will be my last Chrysler I ever own.

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  ill stick to the dakotas - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By kots - June 27 - 6:39 am

  love the power of the 4.7 but not the gas it used up. inside the truck was fin but when the lach for the center counsle broke i had to undo the spring loaded hinge to keep it from staying open.also the radio controls on the stering wheel went out to but i used them alot.

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  Problems with the speakers. - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By MBooth - June 27 - 2:13 am

  I have had problems with the speakers and radio in this car and had it in twice for the same problem. When the weather is below freezing, the speakers dont work, sometimes the radio wont work. By the time I was able to bring it in, radio was working so mechanics couldnt find a problem and fix it. Two separate times. Also check engine light on- needed a software upgrade. Other than these annoying problems, I like the car.

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  All in all, a great deal at $8900 - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By Darren - June 26 - 3:01 pm

  Bought this truck in 98 for $8900. Paid off in 4 yrs and drove maintenance free (virtually) for another 6 years. Replaced the fuel pump at 100k miles. Replaced engine computer just after that. Engine light still comes on but dealership cannot figure out why. Truck runs great. Air still cold and it always cranks. Needs paint now but Im debating whether to put anymore money in it. May use it for Cash for Clunkers bill just signed. Best car purchase Ive ever made. not sure how to get it to pass inspection now that check engine light keeps coming on but have a few months to figure that out.

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  Fun to Drive - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Michael McAllister - June 25 - 3:37 pm

  So far I’m very happy with mine. Drive a lot so I look good Drive fast and good gas mileage!

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  CrossRoad Plus Rocks - 2016 Dodge Journey
  By PapaR - June 24 - 5:53 am

  I recently bought my new dodge CrossRoad Plus and currently have 5000 miles on it. There are many pluses on the SUV and very few minuses when it comes to operation, comfort and road worthiness. My SUV has Fast pickup and passing capabilities as the V6 is very strong with great torque, it is very easy to see all around the vehicle and has minor blind spots when going down the road. My gas mileage on trips has been 23.0 MPG and normal everyday driving is at 20.5 - 21.0 MPG for average. If I am trying to get places quickly and planting my foot the gas mileage will drop 1-2 MPG. The interior is roomy for a compact SUV and has a great amount of cargo space, it also has a number of hiding places like the compartments under the rear floor board. The controls are easy to use and the 8.4 inch infotainment screen is wonderful, with easy to use ergonomics on the screen as well as on the steering wheel. I can go to Costco and Sams and carry almost as much in this vehicle as in my full size Dodge Ram. I have seating for 7(even though I have never used the far back seats) and the seats are very comfortable. I do wish that I had air vented seats in the front and power passenger seat as my wife is very used to that and some times in the Texas weather your bum gets warm as we do drive more distances. I listen to my music from my phone using slacker radio and the sound is very rich and bold. It can be ran very loud and it automatically turns the music down when you are at stop lights or idling. I also like the fact that if I use navigation on my phone the sound is ported through the sound system while in the Player mode on the radio, so when I am listening to my music the navigation sound is easily understandable(I did not get the 8.4 infotainment system with navigation this time around). The Drivers seat is very comfortable on short and long trips and is easily adjustable. I like the tilt and telescope on the steering column and it easy to adjust as well. The ride comfort on my Journey is amazing, I test drove many vehicles including Hyundai, KIA, Jeep, Chevy, Ford, Chrysler and found the Journey was more comfortable than any of the other compact SUVs and comparable to vehicles with a much longer wheel base. I believe it has one of the best rides in the industry, I have owned more than 30 vehicles in my time of driving. Overall the vehicle is fantastic it has everything that we need and more for an outstanding price. My only draw back on this vehicle is the downshift when passing as it takes too long to happen and when using the cruise control(which I do on a daily basis), it will take a drop of 3 MPH before it downshifts. I think this was done for gas mileage purposes. It has a 6 speed transmission and I think it would have been better with a 7 speed for the cruise control downshift issue that I see. The Journey has been around for some time and FCA/Dodge has worked all of the kinks out of this vehicle.

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  07 Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Sthrnbound - June 23 - 4:03 pm

  I bought the Nitro on a whim, but have had no regrets ever since. Ive had no Major problems with the truck. The only issues ive had is i wish chrysler put a manual lumber support in the drivers seat. Now the truck is 2 years old, i to have a rattle on my dash somewhere, minnor issues with the remote and the overdrive is acting up, activates at 45 and bogs the motor down less you speed up to over 50 or drop down yo 40 mph (chrysler knows about it), so dont hesitate to complain to your dealer or even chrysler about the issue, before your warranty runs out. Having said all that, I still luv my truck even after 2 years and Ive gotten more compliments out of the nitro then any Ive had.......

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  A great vehicle - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By kctoolguy - June 22 - 10:54 am

  The best vehicle I have ever owned. The 4 cylinder engine has been flawless, mileage could be better, 22 city 28 on long hwy trips, transmission lasted until 150K, doesnt burn oil at 212K, still has original rear brakes fronts last about 25K with cheap pads, 40K with ceramic pads, second set of tires (Michelin) lasted over 100K, good (Bosch) plugs last 30 to 40K, timing belts last 130K+. I would buy another one.

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  Good SUV - 2009 Dodge Durango
  By Ron - June 22 - 6:34 am

  Ive had my Durango for about six months now. Its a comfortable machine with good power. I know Edmunds rates it bad, but I didnt want a crossover as I need to tow a 5K boat. It rides fairly well. Gas mileage is a couple miles less then the bigger Tahoe though, but I got this way cheaper then a comparable tahoe.