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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  SXT rental was a winner - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By David - July 15 - 4:47 pm

  Well I upgraded my rental car while on vacation in California, had it for a week, put 1400 miles on it, going from Sacramento to Santa Cruz, Yosemite and Monterey bay, and San Francisco. Got it for a bit more money, because I always wanted to test drive one of these beautiful cars. Was disappointed that it was only a V6 at first, but let me say this car was a blast.I it was surprisingly quick and i accelerate quickly as a rule, and the fuel economy was unreal. Averaged 31 mpg over 1400 miles, better then rated. mix of hwy trips (often 80mph on crazy cali highways) and even going up over 7000 feet at yosemite still was 30 that day. I was shocked made me want to trade my kia sorrento which i previously loved and just purchased. I would be more then happy with the v6 model and I have always felt that a car like this belongs with a v8, but with that wonderful 8 speed tranny, its not much of a performance downgrade over the previous years 5.7 hemi with 5 speed tranny and it gets much better fuel economy.

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  Fun, fun, fun! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Thomas - July 11 - 5:50 pm

  I am 6 3" my wife is 61" and the youngest daughter is 64",,,,,, there is no shortage of room in this car and the 5.7 Hemi has the power to make it move. The suspension rivals many sports cars and the weight distribution is 51/49 front/rear which adds to the handling capabilities. I did not buy it for fuel economy, but at 15 city and 24 highway I am more than pleased. One of the most fun cars I have owned and driven. Its a shame they stopped producing it

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  I drive a 2012 Dodge Avenger and it is Fantastic!!! - 2012 Dodge Avenger
  By sachi25 - July 1 - 3:30 pm

  My first experience driving this car was thru Enterprise Rental. I had it for a full month and decided this had to be my new car! The rental was a 2014, but when I noticed that the 2012 looked almost exactly the same, I chose the 2012. My 2012 has 38,000 miles on it and drives like a dream! It has satellite radio in it with a power drivers seat as well as great rims, a beautiful white body, and black interior. I love this car! A special thanks to Lahtis of Leominster, MA! I bought this for 12,900 at 32,100 miles. I typically get about 26-27 miles to the gallon,sometimes as low as 24.5/city. It has gotten as many as 29.7/highway(possibly 31/highway). Mine is a 2.4 liter & drives like a 6!

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  Great car, Great value !!! - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By brewmasterc - June 28 - 9:59 am

  What a nice car. Surpassed my expectations.Very comfortable and smooth.Love the interior.And the massive Uconnect system.

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  Lasts forever - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By 5speedmanual3 - June 26 - 4:31 pm

  Totaled my first 03 Sxt with 240,000 miles on it but I bet she could have gone way longer. Then bought an 04 R/T with 100,000 on it for a great price it now has 136000 and I love it, I dont babg this thing either its seen many track days and the shifts are still great love the car And I get about 30 mog city and almost 40 highway

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  A fun car to drive! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By wdepipes - June 17 - 12:28 pm

  Bought my Plum Crazy Purple Challenger SRT8 6 speed-12000kms, 2nd hand in January of this year. Started driving in April. What a blast, always brings a smile to my face. Love the looks and the sound of the car. Great seats and great acceleration. Looked at a Mustang but the stick shift was terrible and very tight quarters inside. Very happy with this choice.

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  Great small car - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By ramray - June 15 - 11:18 am

  I have a 2014 GT with 20,000 miles and it has been a fun, great small car that is not so small in comparison to some midsized cars. The 2.4 is a solid and reliable four that is a touch rough but has good response and decent gas mileage. I find it far more sporting and fun to fling through twisty curves. A great replacement for the old Neon and is growing in popularity...word of mouth is growing that it is a fun, sporty car!

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  Here in Brazil its far the best option! - 2015 Dodge Journey
  By fabianodias - June 11 - 9:18 pm

  Weve been on vacation september last in Orlando, where we rented a Journey SXT, being a VW Jetta owner I was a litlle worried about the cars size. We liked so much that returning to Brazil we decided to invest some $$ in a RT JOURNEY V6. Here you also have the Fiat Freemont, that is the fruit of the joint venture of Dodge and Fiat, although they only sell the four cilinder engine. I test drove it and its awfull!! In the othe hand Journey has been an excelent car, strong as hell, confortable as heaven and beautiful as our super model Gisele Bundchen :-)

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  In a class by itself. - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By jchivington - June 9 - 9:49 am

  Took deliveryJune 10th. This car exceeds all my expectations. The manual is very short throw and has excellent feel. Dont even consider getting the automatic in a car like this. The clutch pedal is light with absolutely no chatter. The leather upgrade ($1,750) is well worth the money. The German brands have nothing on this car--except maybe panel fit. My only very small complaint is the radio sound quality not bad but could be better. Feels extremely solid. No wind noise. No rattles. Handles great even in street mode.

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  Fun fun and loving it - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By pantydropper - June 4 - 4:23 pm

  I traded my 2009 MB C300 for the Dodge SXT Rallye edition has upgraded suspension and more ponies under the hood. Im loving every aspect of this car. Honestly this model feels great driving. I was in the market for a car with more cabin space and this car definitely has it. Fuel economy on sticker looks great for this car size only driven it a week puts a smile on me every time I get in. Sure brand is not as prestiges as a Mercedes, however its super fun drive and you get a lot for your money , uconnect is one of the best in market plus XM satellite one year free. Plus the new lines on this car gets a lot attention. I dont feel like I downgraded at all.