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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  stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By LLOYDZM - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Nice car with a sluggish takeoff.It couldve been a little bit cozier for all passengers but so far it does the job.

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  Muscle cars shouldnt be family cars. - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Xena - April 10 - 1:36 am

  My husband got this car, and coming from a Mopar family, I was impressed he wanted it. I am all for having a second Hemi in the family (my father has a 69 Hemi Roadrunner), but the interior and exterior of this car is just another boring family sedan. This car seems to impress people who know they should be impressed by a Hemi, but dont really know why they should be impressed by a Hemi. True Hemi fans, will want to stick with the original muscle cars that were built to haul the mail - not a haul a family.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By pete - April 7 - 8:45 pm

  This car is the most relieable and fun car to drive. I have done some bolt on modifications done to it (intake,exhaust,programmer) and i beat on this poor car and it takes the abuse fine. On the days when my foot isnt as heavy its a great smooth ride. It doesnt like to turn very fast but its great to see a mustang gts headlights in my rearview mirror.

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  Weird Transmission Downshift - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By Tom - April 7 - 11:27 am

  I bought this van new for my family needs. I have 27,000 miles on it now and have had no problems so far. The only complaint I have is the transmission downshifting from 2nd gear to 1st gear. It has a very hard downshift that is very noticable. If feels like Im doing damage by driving it with this condition. I started noticing it around 800 miles and thought maybe it was just breaking itself in. I took it to the dealer and they said that they could find nothing wrong with it. I personally think that they dont want to acknowledge the problem. Other than the transmission, I really like the van.

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  Good car, but disappointed - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jimmy - April 7 - 12:20 am

  Fun car to drive. Interior a little too kit car for me. Cheap plastic, but hey for $30k with the power worth it. My real big problem is that Dodge and parent company have the worst paint going. I have the metallic black and doesnt take much to scratch unlike my wifes new Mustang.

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  Funnnn - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By srt forlife - April 6 - 1:50 pm

  I have had this car for a year n bought it used but have had little issues with it mostly wear and tear. love the power and the look you get when u drive by someone lol. the gas milage isnt bad for what performance it puts out

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  A good first car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Shin - April 5 - 4:53 pm

  This is my first car Ive had this for almost 5 years now Im at 108k miles, Ive only had some minor issues. My car rough idles every once in a while and makes noises on the driver side front tire when I turn right, Ive had it checked out and everyone has told me that theres nothing wrong, they only found a leaky freeze plug that sits in the back engine, however had my dad look at it and told me that its old residue, nothing to worry about. I have a leaky valve cover issue as well, I love the interior design, the only problem inside is the bar between the door and windshield, it creates a major blindspot, also I get poor gas mileage, between 20-25mpg...overall a good starter car.

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  Not sure why Edmunds hates this car! - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By DK - April 4 - 10:57 pm

  I bought this car for my wife she drives mainly in the city and the mileage is around 22-23. The car has the 2.0 automatic and, contrary to what Edmunds claims, it has plenty of get up an go. Hey, if I wanted something that REALLY moved, Id spend three times the money and by a 300C with a Hemi! It is more than adequate for this vehicle class. Our car is a base model, but has many options (power everything and side airbags) keeping the price below the SXT. We love the car. I dont care how Edmunds rates it, they can keep this car a secret for all I care!

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  confused about bad reviews - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By beccalynn0204 - April 4 - 4:32 pm

  I have owned a grand caravan since 2002, started out with 98 caravan and 9 years later at 140,000 traded it in for a dodge 2002 caravan. I have not had a problem with this van. Yes it had 4 recalls but they have been fixed and still on merry way. My van has 42,000 miles on it and the brakes are still perfect. Knock on wood I havent had any problems these other reviewers are commenting on. But I can say this someone is going to find something wrong with any car, van or truck sometime.

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  Some quirks - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Sandi - April 4 - 12:43 pm

  Drives well. Love the Stow N Go. Power doors sometimes will not respond not enough so the dealer would think I was not crazy. Cup holders placed on sides of seats where kids can forget them and step on them thus breaking them. Floorboard creaks a bit,squeeks..whatever. The carpet in 3rd row actually looks bowed down a bit as if giving. But it drives and handles well.