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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  Never thought Id be back in a Dodge. - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By josm - June 18 - 11:13 pm

  After a couple of foreign cars Im back in a dodge and my first SUV. We traded a mazda 5 for this as we had a third kid recently and the 5 (although great) was just too small. The Durango is a beautiful machine, its well made and drives very well. My biggest surprise is the mpgs. Ive only had it a few days but Im consistently getting 18-19 mpgs in the city. Also on a hilly drive home from the dealership in Jefferson City MO to Columbia MO I averaged 25.4 mpgs. Both these numbers beat our minivan. Our little mazda 5 only got 22 not mater where or how I drove it. Just keep that rev counter in the green zone and youll match me easily.

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  This is considered an SUV? - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By americanmade2 - June 17 - 8:53 pm

  Well in December of 2010, my family got this car. at first it was great ... but then the horrid hard plastics started breaking on the seat belt covers and on the seat belt buckle itself the buckle in the third row is completely useless! the hard plastics are also bad they just look tacky. the seats in the second row are not comfortable for longer than an hour. the leg room in the second row is bad... really bad my son who is 54 complains! the car has a problem shifting and gets valves clogged all the time! our family hates this... thing! we are buying a 2007 Lexus GX 470 in a month hope its better!!

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  I got a lemon - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By donna2010 - June 16 - 1:39 pm

  I bought this 2010 lemon at Moss Bros in Ca I like that it had a lot of storage and the look of the outside was good. But that is where it stops. It has tiny interor. Uncomforatble seats and the driver seat is making a noise the dealer cant seem to know where it is coming from. Bad brakes they built the front end to heavy for the brakes. So the problem is not fixable. I will have to keep replacing the front brakes as long as I own the car. I have had them replaced at 5,000 13,000 21,000 miles There was a recall on the door locks. That was fixed. There is somethings wrong with the transmission when I go out of park into reverse. It doesnt perform good. The interior is cheap. Its a lemon

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  This is the SE, with the 8 speed option - 2012 Dodge Charger
  By ggale - June 16 - 12:07 pm

  Match the 3.6 l with the 8 speed ZF transmission and the result is great. I would imagine some dont like the idea of an 8 speed. Let me tell you, it is fantastic. Shifts are fast, hardly noticeable, and the performance is just great. Very fast, Very economical. I am a lead foot, yet the average mpg (city mostly) is just over 22mpg. I have managed over 32mpg consistantly at 70mph. Yet the power available is unbelieveable. The electronic shifter is the most complained about item. Takes one day to get use to, and not really all that different from a mechanical shifter. Drives like a much smaller car. Chrysler Corp. has obviously been listening to real drivers suggestions.

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  Challenger SXT Plus - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By marme987 - June 15 - 1:59 pm

  Have had my 2012 Challenger SXT Plus for about a month now, and I am very happy with it. I am a classic car guy, so I love the styling, and I like that it is a very livable car for day to day driving, powerful enough (although not as fun as an R/T), but decent gas mileage. I also got the car for road trips, and it seems very comfortable on the highway, with a large trunk. Larger inside than Camaros and Mustangs, I like that for a daily driver. Dont see many on the road, at least near me to me that is a plus.

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  Great SUV all around - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By bricker23 - June 14 - 9:57 pm

  After several years of driving multiple imported SUVs this is our first ever Chrysler product. After three months and 3,000+ miles this has proven to be an excellent vehicle. No problems or even minor issues to report, the build quality is excellent so are fit and finish. It feels and drives most solid and upmarket with details well thought out, all functionality in place and very surprising interior quality. After reading questionable reviews about the 5 spd transmission and slow acceleration I have no issues with either, this is a large and heavy SUV but the transmission performs well in everyday driving and the acceleration, both off the line and passing, is more than adequate.

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  And keeps on going... - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By oxy - June 13 - 9:58 pm

  I bought my 1994 base in 1998 with 87,000 km on it. The car now has 485,000 km. The a/c still works and so does pretty much everything else. There is a short in the rear defogger. I had a tranny problem in 2002 and had it rebuilt for $2,500. Still works great. Only thing I dont like is the lack of head room and Im only 6 feet and not the best mileage. Looking for a small 4 cyl but intend to keep the Intrepid. Oh, never had to change the exhaust system and I never get stuck in the snow and I only use all-season tires. Rear springs done about 2 years ago.

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  disapointed in this vehical - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By jsteele1 - June 13 - 6:22 pm

  its too bad that this vehical isnt what was advertised to be. electrical systems are dangerous. even after the replacement of the electrical harness on the drivers side door, the modual for the power windows, locks, etc. melted yesterday. not just a small thing either. large areas of it on both sides were no longer recognizable. scorch marks on the "new" harnes as well as the insulation under it. the air bag alert light has continued to come on a number of times. the started modual had to be replaced. the air condition/ heating needed to replaced. 19" tires are special order and expensive. front wheel drive does not work effectively on my driveway. regret buying this vehical alot

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  Love my Dakota! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By sixatbat - June 13 - 12:34 pm

  I love this truck. I have the 4.7 V-8 with 110k on it and it keeps up with the big trucks with no problem. It handles better than all other trucks I have driven. Its very roomy and I was surprised with the amount of room it has in the back seat with the quad cab! 4x4 is great, Ive already pulled out a jeep and an s-10 out of the mud. My only complaint is the fuel milage. I get about 14.5 mpg combined city and highway. Its better than most full size trucks though. If you want a truck that has the compactness of a mid size truck, but the power and capability of a full size truck, get the Dodge Dakota.

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  Miss my Intrepid - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By cbn4equine - June 10 - 3:14 pm

  After I wrecked my first car, my dad settled on an 02 Dodge Intrepid R/T. It was perfect for a teenage girl who often drives with multiple people. Lots of space in the car/trunk, and a very comfortable ride. My Dad claimed he had trouble seeing out of it, but at 19 I had no trouble. I had this car for 2 1/2 months, and in a freak accident it caught on fire in mid April due to a gas leak. The fire department could not make it to the scene in time to stop the car from being totaled. The engine was completely melted and the car was finished. We had only liability on this so insurance did not cover the loss. Despite the way I lost it, this car will probably always be my favorite. I recommend it.