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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  Get rid of 19" tire option - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Mbardsley - February 9 - 8:53 pm

  My wife really wanted the 19" wheel package, giving the vehicle a bigger look. Wow, did we learn. This was a Demo unit, when dodge dealers closing, so got a great deal, almost 10,000 off. We have gone through 2 of the 19" Kumho tires. They are way to soft, cant get them aftermarket. Discount tires is Dealer for Kohmo, but fount like 1 tire in texas. New dealer does not care, since we did not buy from them, oh well. No warranty, take it up with Kohmo. They want $360 per tire for replacement. Only tire made in that size or even close.

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  Dont buy this car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Bruno - February 9 - 6:30 pm

  Please do not buy a Dodge Charger, especially in red, because I want to continue to have the only one in my area. It is a real looker! So please wait at least 5 years. Yes! this car is "Super Fine"! in every way. I had a chance to purchase a car from A to Z and the Charger won hands down. It is a mans car with good styling with an attitude! I have owned it for 6 months and love everything about it.

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  impressive, first experience with the car - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By Ron - February 9 - 1:46 am

  very impressed and pleased with our choice. (wished I could have found the 5.7) but all is going great with the charger, and no complaints. went to the dealer to look around only, and 2 hours later we left in a sxt plus.

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  Wouldnt have anything else - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By depaulcrew - February 8 - 2:00 am

  63,000 miles and the only thing that has been disappointing has been the fuel mileage.We tow a 6500lb fishing boat and pass everyone else towing a boat and most other motorist on the highway.The 4.7 engine sounds awesome and has more than enough power. The interior is great.Leather seats are soft.Kids love the rear ac and third row seat. The stereo is unmatched for being factory. We did replace the shocks with Rancho RSX9000s. We also replaced the front disc pads long before neccessay because of all the brake dust. We put Ceramix pads on the front ($79) but no more dust. Its been extremely dependable and has only been to the shop for a defective power lock.

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  2000 Dodge Intreped - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By kfordxxx - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Intrepid ES for four years now. It is a great car and very reliable. I would put it up against any Japanese car in its class. I laugh at my co-workers who drive Japanese cars like the Accord, whos doors "ting" when you close them. This car is solid, and well styled, unlike the boring Camary which people sadly buy for whatever snobish reasons.

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  P.O.S. - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By eray - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I will never purchase another Dodge product in my entire life!!! I have owned it for about 4 yrs and have sunk nearly 6K in fixing it! It now has only 80K miles. The rear bearings went out at 37K miles. The water pump, window motor, radiator, upper and lower control arms (replaced them twice!), tyrods, ball joints, and factory cd radio have all been replace. I highly recomend no one ever purchasing this vehicle.

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  SXT But With a 3.3L V6??? - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bladeedge12 - February 6 - 10:01 pm

  My wife and I purchased this vehicle in 2010 because we needed a family hauler. Was never looking to get a minivan, but I always heard good things about Dodges vans. The check engine light has been on from day one, but nothing seems to be wrong. The dealership said that it is common to happen on these vans. We have had several things checked out under the hood, but nothing has presented itself. The interior is on a downward spiral of falling apart so easily. It is slowly losing its automatic mechanisms like power locks and rear windows. Maybe the computer is slowly shutting the vans power down? The charging ports never worked. Two family trips and still going strong, however.

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  Could Have Been Bettter - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Mighty Elmo - February 6 - 8:46 pm

  I bought mine when they first came out. The Chill Zone does not stay open which is my first major complaint especially when I brought back to the dealer the person had no clue what it was or did. The brakes crunch one in a while. Fit and finish of the car is good. While I like the car It certainly could have a little more quality put into the vehicle

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  Got what I asked for - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By CBorg - February 6 - 2:00 am

  During the first year there were several recalls issued which I took care of during regular maintence cycles at no extra charge, and Ive had only had one major fault since that had to be addressed at my (partial) expense - the differential had something internal go bad which caused a vibration. My service contract had a $200 deductible which I had to pay. Its been very comfortable and useful to me with few exceptions.

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  Almost 4 years and 75k later - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By stekicar - February 5 - 2:33 am

  Replaced all four brake pads and rotors after 50k miles. Front had more then 6mm left while rear were closer to 3mm in thickness. Replaced with PowerStop rotors and ceramic pads. Had to replace front pads after only 15k miles. Rear ones were still like new. At 73k check engine went on and front (left) cylinder head was replaced under warranty. Also, upstream left O2 sensor was replaced. Still going strong. Very satisfied.