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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  I LOVE this car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By jln - April 4 - 11:49 am

  I bought this vehicle with 20,000 miles on it. As a person finishing up college, I was looking for something reliable and affordable yet still stilish and interesting. Fuel consumption is amazing- I took a 300 mile trip at around 75 mph speeds and used only 1/2 tank of gas. I look for any reason to drive this car! The 4 cylinder engine isnt dissappointing- it delivers adequate acceleration and plenty of power for me. The speakers are great, love the light grey interior, and although the seats are a little uncomfortably firm, I am adjusting. This isnt a luxury car but its reasonably priced, gets a ton of compliments, and is a pleasure to operate, plus the fuel economy is great.

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  Happy with the down size - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By kris - April 1 - 1:48 pm

  I went from a Dodge caravan to this. I was expecting better mpg. I get 21mpg w/80% city. I couldnt pass a turtle going downhill. But the car suits my need and my kids get in and out just fine. It is a great cheap car that is sharp on inside and out.

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  100,000 Going strong - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Tom - March 31 - 11:58 am

  I bought the car new. It has 100,000 miles now. Used Mobil 1 since new. Never touched the motor. Blew the tranny differential burning out on ice (on accident). Differentials dont like one tire on ice, the other on the road. Paint is still shiny. Runs like new. The 2.4L has plenty of pep and gets 30mpg highway.

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  Its Ok - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By J Durango - March 31 - 10:00 am

  I have eth hemi, and it has plenty of power. But after 5K miles, the dealer still cant find annoying front end vibration and pull. It pulls my boat likeits not back there, very good ride aside from front end vibration

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  2005 DODGE MAGNUM RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By DECOBILL - March 27 - 6:53 pm

  Heads will turn when you fly by with this 21st Century Rocket Car!

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  Not a bad car for the buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Michael - March 27 - 12:09 am

  I bought this car used a little over two years ago this month and I was well pleased with it. I fell for the style and the color of it. Mine is electric blue with a spoiler. A couple of things I dont like are that the car is very harsh over bumps and over exaggerates on any kind of road its on. Ive had to change the transmission at 75,000 miles which I was upset about. The interior is ok but I feel like Dodge could of taken it a little further than just cheap hard plastic. I like the seats in the neon as well however I cant stand that everything stains the seats (even water). Back seats sit 4 comfortably even 6,0 guys like me, the fronts seats are cramped. The car overall is a good buy

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  Not your ordinary station wagon. - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Cy - March 26 - 3:23 pm

  This is a great vehicle for the 30 - 40 something guy with a family. Gives you all the performance, luxury, and utility a family man could want. Its definitely a good compromise between performance and luxury. BTW... this is probably not a good daily commuter car since youll never get the MPG Dodge advertises. Plus you have to buy medium grade fuel (89 or better). All that said, I like the car a lot. Its the best thing on the market now and for 2006.

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  Loved when drivable - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By jaspence - March 23 - 1:30 pm

  This is by far the funnist car i have ever owned. But I bought the car with about 90,000 miles and it was a ton of fun till about 120,000 when the motor went, I replaced with a rebuilt and about 10,000 mile the motor went again dumb me replaced again and 5,000 mile went for the final time, now it sits in my driveway and still makes me smile because of its looks but cry because of the money I put into it, but is a truly fun car when its running good

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  pleasant surprise - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By thehidking - March 23 - 12:52 pm

  I have had the car now nine wonderful years. I have over 100K miles and honestly I have missed many service times and still the car runs and drives like it did when I bought it with only 2 miles on it. I have owned a honda civic and toyota corolla and hated both those cars in comparison. Parts are cheap and readily available almost anywhere. The ride is a touch stiff compared to a toyota but it is faster lighter and more fun to drive. the AC has never been touched and blows freezer like cold. My brakes seem to last almost three years with 80% left on the origional drum shoes in back. The factory sound system was nicer than the civic EX I had before this.

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  Theft for this car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Gina - March 23 - 11:29 am

  This car is a good car and is reliable and simple to fix if something is wrong but the theft on this car is terrible! Ive had my car for 5yrs and its been broken into 4times. And its not the area because Ive moved 3 times. Everytime I put in a police report, the police officers always say "you got to get rid of this car because its # 1 for theft". Thank god they did the upgrade.