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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  Nitro Has been a Great Car/SUV!! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Makadoodle - January 19 - 6:57 pm

  The dealership was awesome to work with! This is the 1st SUV I have ever owned. I have had 3-Chrysler 300M since 1999. Great performance-Good Mileage-Lots of people ask me, "What is that your driven, WOW, I love it!!

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  Red SET 4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Dragon - January 19 - 2:43 pm

  I looked for two years to find my SRT- 4. It was worth the wait and anticipation. I recently installed upgraded turbo, components and intercooler by Hahns Racecraft. Estimated HP is 495. All I can say is hang on for dear life. Once in third gear you are gone. I fixed the transmission shift problem with a complete Hurst Shifter. I love this car. A true soon to be classic.

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  Great wheels for the price! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Best in Line! - January 19 - 1:17 pm

  I probably have one of the first Calibers built! It is a great machine for the price. Ride is comfortable, noise is low and fuel economy is great. Could it be better? Yes....But for what YOU paid for it is the BEST car in its class. I absolutely love its shape (what made me buy it!!) and coming down from a 2500 Chevy Suburban, the fact that I sit high while driving is great. A/C cools wee while the heater keeps you toasty in the winter. The only drawback I see is all the plastic inside the car!!!

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  2009 Dodge Challenger RT - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By bathat - January 18 - 9:50 pm

  This car is a real eye catcher. Within 2 weeks of first seeing the Challenger, I had one in my garage. I get compliments every time I take it out for a drive, and have had a few impromptu photo shoots in parking lots. Great acceleration. The exhaust configuration specific to the RT manual delivers a confident, but not obnoxious exhaust note. Interior noise is not an issue, even at hwy speeds. This is not a sports car, so youre not going to corner with a Mustang or Camaro, but you may find it more comfortable for cruising. After 10k mi, not 1 issue. Visibility takes getting used to. Hill start assist and skip shift are easily disabled (most if not all muscle cars have this.)

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  Awesome! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Danielle - January 18 - 5:09 pm

  I havent seen too many reviews from women so heres one. I just bought my 2008 Charger from Enterprise Rental. Great deal, clean CARFAX, love the car. Its a base model but cant imagine needing a bigger engine. This car hauls! Loved my old Dodge and this one drives even better. Seat seems low compared to my old Dodge Stratus but Im 54" tall and visibility is good after putting the headrests all the way down and adjusting the passenger seat. No one buys a Charger for fuel efficiency but its not too bad. I fill up about once a week. I definitely made the right choice buying this car. So fun to drive, it puts a smile on my face! Seems a shame to haul groceries with it.

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  My Maroon Beast. - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By Bill Woessner - January 17 - 8:58 pm

  What can I say but,this vehicle can do it all.Probably the best vehicle I have ever owned.This HEMI will blow by any stock equipped truck out there.I live in hilly Western Pennsylvania and can tow anything from my Six-Pack Charger to my Chris-Craft Cruiser.The all 4WD plows through the worst snow we have and climbs any muddy trail I put it through. There is so much room that a family of 7 can enjoy a long trip.With the seats down I can load 4x8 sheets of drywall or plywood or move any youngster to college. The power leather heated seats feel like you are on a cloud. This vehicle is such a head turner with the maroon paint and 20 inch chrome wheels.

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  My Pride and Joy - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Intrepidfan000 - January 17 - 5:53 pm

  I purchased the Intrepid in July of 2008 when it had 61494 miles on it. The major selling points I noticed were that although the car is a boat, it handles like a sports car as it glides along the road like a hot knife through butter. It has graceful, yet aggressive lines, very comfortable supportive seats, a cavernous trunk and cabin, and much more. I have had no problems with the car, and it has taken me from A to B efficiently and stylistically. Unfortunately, the car was totaled in January of 2010 at a young age of 70,512 miles. I have heard that 2.7 liter engine has been problematic, but mine gave me no trouble. As long as you treat it like your pride and joy, youll be fine.

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  Great Vehicle Great Customer Service - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Jeep n Dodge guy - January 17 - 1:47 am

  This is an all around great vehicle. Yes the plastic seat molds break, but like everything they cannot last forever. The ride is amazing and the power is extreme. I have the 5.7l V8 Hemi.The dealership is in Bloomington Indiana (Town and Country). I recommend going there. All of the sales team were really friendly, and I was not pushed (big one for me). First time Durango owner and I am oleased.

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  better looking than any mini-van - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By graham - January 15 - 3:29 pm

  I had wanted one for years and finally bought it after selling my Durango. great looks and a great ride to boot. Tons of room for a family of 4 which saved me from the soul sucking mini- van option. I had tested a 2.7L v6, but it was not powerful enough for that big of a car. The 3.5L has plenty of power. The RWD was a concern in the snow, but the first big snow this year disproved that concern. the car did great with common sense driving. Too bad Dodge decided to drop the Magnum. At least they should have replaced it with the 300C wagon thats available in Europe.

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  best truck ever!!!! - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By 72 340 demon - January 15 - 2:55 pm

  ive owned this truck since 2001, with 24000 miles on it, since then ive only had to change the front break pads once. and a tune up. im currently at 123,000 miles runs and drives like the day i got it, i get 24 miles to the gallon, with the help of a tonneau cover, 3.9 magnum never lets me down on power. s-10s and rangers cant compare to the power.