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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  Great Little Big Car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Joe - May 29 - 1:43 pm

  Purchased 2007 R/T in Oct. Have put 3600 miles on it and so far its been great. Looked at and drove a Chevy HHR,Pontiac Vibe, and the Caliber won out hands down. Must have got a good one, so far. Have had no problems and gas mileage has gone from 27.5 to 30.5 since new. I drive a 100 miles a day so fuel economy means a lot.Wish I could have gotten a 5 or 6 speed but was told manual was not offered in the R/T FWD. The CVT is a little goofy but once you get used to it, it;s ok.Space is excellent. We have a Newfoundland and the woman who taught doggie obedience class has a Caliber and highly recommened it.She was right. So far very pleased.Dog fits in fine. Comfortable drivers position. Love it!

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  My Caliber (Candy) - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By SUSAN - May 29 - 10:46 am

  This is my very first brand new vehicle. I just love the Dodge Caliber. I had read a lot of great things about the Caliber and the price and gas mileage is great, made my decision to buy one. I have the 4 door 1.8 engine 5 speed transmission, in sunburst orange with a sunroof. The dashboard is simple and easy to read. Not a lot of knobs and unnessasary gadgets. Plenty of leg and head room. The seats fold front and back, and storage cubby areas are easy to reach and get your hand in and out of. The removeable dome light doubles as a flashlight, which I find a lot of uses for when you have kids. I just wish I could reach the clutch better. I highly reccomend this car!

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  Best Car of the YEar - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ripan - May 29 - 8:16 am

  It is the best car of the year cause of its muscular shape, luxurious and roomy interior. Very fast and a howling engine. Best sedan, it gets no problems. I am glad and very happy that I bought it. It is also way better than any Ford, Honda, or a Toyota.

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  Santa Fe Dodge Sucks. - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By TwizeeK - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I instantly fell in love with the car, great handling, good pickup, affordable aftermarket upgrades, and a killer sound system. Everything went great until i had an unfortante opportunity to have to use the extended maintenence warranty purchased from Santa Fe Dodge. This is when my nightmare began. The dealership was simply un-cooperative, slow, and above all else rude and incompetent. I ended up paying $500 for an insurance deductablt when the salesman told me it would be covered. My advice, buy this car, but from ANYWHERE but Santa Fe Dodge.

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  Katy Rocket - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Katy80DMS - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely the best little car Ive driven and Ive had Escorts, Cavaliers,and Subarus. Handles with crisp precision, with a little understeer. Excellent acceleration for engine of this size, generally no problem at all merging with Houston freeway traffic.

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  If its hot where you live dont buy one - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By A/C Doesnt work! - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 SLT Plus with 4.7L. I havent had any major problems mechanically, but the A/C doesnt even begin to cool the car. If you run it on high all the time (You have too) then you develop a mildew smell. The dealer actually said, "dont run it on high then" They actually admit a design flaw - but no fix. Im selling my $33,00 two year old durango now and Edmunds says its worth about $16K - wonderful!

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  good value - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jim - May 29 - 2:00 am

  139k only a few repairs, 2 sets brake pads, tow 1500 lb trailer/catamaran, excellent interior volume can get 26 mpg highway not towing, leather seats could be more comfy, turn signal release l failed, drivers power window, new exhaust, rattly front end, mechanic states nothing there needs replaced, also own 01 gc, same front end, both are sloppy when compared to Odyssey

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  nice vehicle - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By confused - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe that so many people seem to have problems with this vehicle. My wife typically drives it but the family uses it quite a bit too. Absolutely no problems with the quality, ride, comfort, reliability. Not as refined as the Honda; not as expensive either. TPMS is junk though.

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  Happy camper - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Robert Barker - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I had the Chrysler Sebring convertible and it was starting to cost me in repairs. Ilked the design of the Dodge Intrepid. It gives me the feel of a big car which In

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  dodge kicks ass - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By dodgewins4ever - May 28 - 2:00 am

  very powewrful very fast took a subaru wrx no prob nice smooth ride nice interior luv it