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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  A good bit-little car - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By happy driver - June 1 - 11:08 am

  Moved into Caliber from minivan and am impressed. Hard plastic interior panels make for easy cleaning after the kids. Driver seat crank makes for more customized feel. Fit of all body pieces and interior trim pieces is smooth and feels sleek. Solid thud is heard when doors close, never a question if it is or isnt shut. Slight rattle when radio is up too loud...good factory sound system! 2X trip meter and outside temp display is nice. Plenty of leg room for passenger and driver seat doesnt sit ON the floor. Easy to enter/exit because chassis rides tall. Good handling with 17" tires. Im eager to take a road trip to test it in the long-run.

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  Best car I every have owned - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By Teresa - May 30 - 11:22 pm

  This car despite many problems always have done well for me. I get 27mpg in city driving, and 34mpg in country or interstated travel. Folding down the back seats was a plus for me in hauling dirt, lumber, craft things for a show. I could pack more into this little car than most people put in a truck and still make it over the hills. Its 165,980 miles on the car and still putting away despite an oil pump problem I cant find anyone to fix. Everyone says its not fixable. But I never regret this car, its been the best dodge car I ever have own. and Better than my last car which was a Ford tempo.

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  Its OK, Lots of power - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By FMH - May 27 - 8:15 pm

  I got the 4.7L v8 new and i have owned the vehicle for 60,000 miles. I get 16.9 mpg. The biggest and only issue i had with this truck was the oem front braking system that only lasted a few thousand miles. Lets just say after the nightmare of having to deal with there service dpt. I finally had enough and just spent the money and replaced all the front braking system. Suspension could also use some work.

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  My first Dodge/Hemi - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By dodgenewbie - May 26 - 3:23 pm

  Nothing like getting behind the wheel of a true American Muscle Car to put a smile on your face. I love driving this car. Makes the adrenalin flow.

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  dodge stratus es - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By Reazonz - May 25 - 2:06 pm

  Bought it in 1997 ive only had to replance the radiator, water pump and radiator hose everything else is still great I just hit 140,000 miles and im still goin strong I get the oil changed every 3,500 miles the a/c compresser just wen out this summer and its lookin at about $300 to fix I never really used it often so I wont get it fixed until I need to.

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  Looks may be deceiving - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By First Car - May 25 - 8:51 am

  I bought the car in 2007 with 82,000 miles on it. Had problems frequently with it. First brakes, then the transmission. Engine light has always been on and off. Now engine makes a loud noise when the A/C is on. First car so i dont know what to think except the person before me beat on it. Ive had the electric randomly go out on my car several times for a significant amount of time and then come back on. Car hasa mind of its own. Love the interior/exterior design. The mechanics need improvement. I probably would not ever buy a neon again based on previous experiences.

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  Happy Avenger Owner - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By DodgeSalesman - May 23 - 12:08 pm

  My Avenger is definitely a Highmilage Vehicle and I bought it specifically for the Lifetime Warranty. With the 2.7V6 I get ~27+ MPG on the Highway and 23+ City. I love the fact it looks so different then all the Accords and Camrys on the road. I LOVE the MyGig Entertainment and have more than 1,000 songs and albums downloaded with still a TON of room to go. The Chill zone is Great even though it eats up a lil room in the glove box. Besides the Glove Box is for a Owners Manual and a couple parking tickets, the rest is trash! Plenty of room for both my kids and the Stain Repel Seats have already paid for themselves. I absolutely Love my Avenger!

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  NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By astewfam - May 20 - 6:36 pm

  After reading all the other review I had to say how great my dodge has been to me!!!!! I got my 02 durango in 03, i still have it but Im looking to trade it in. I have only had a few minor problems. Something pertaining to the module that controls all the lights in the truck went out but it was still under warrenty. The certain part wasnt covered but I fussed and the dealership paid for it. I was surprised to read so many reviews were people have had bad experiences with their durangos.

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  Dependable - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Dave - May 19 - 7:42 pm

  This car has never let us down and have owned it for 14 years

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  The best purchase Ive ever made - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By jp - May 19 - 1:52 pm

  By far, very little will compare with my truck. Its got 177,000 of hard miles and its still going strong. Brakes last forever, same clutch. Other than a water pump, radiator and a belt, it all still original. Ironically, the biggest flaw I found with the truck is the gas gauge went at 95,000 miles and I have to use the trip odometer to know when to get gas (the gas light still works).