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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  SATISFIED USER - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By R. Kurtz - December 24 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY 5TH CHRYSLER MINIVAN: 3 PLYMOUTHS, 1 DODGE, AND NOW A T&C. ALL HAVE BEEN RELIABLE WITH MINIMUM PROBLEMS. DEALER IS ABOVE AVERAGE IN SERVICE AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

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  no title - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By rick stafford - December 24 - 10:00 am

  excellent combination of ride, style and comfort...3rd van weve owned by dodge...great milage as well

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  Less Soccer Mom, More Whos Your Daddy - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By CoDee - December 24 - 10:00 am

  We took our Magnum Wagon on a road trip from L.A. to Lake Tahoe and the ride was so smooth I forgot how long wed been driving until we stopped for lunch. Make sure you dont mind people staring and asking questions.

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  I love my Dodge Magnum!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Judy Pickens - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Exceptional automobile. Beautiful. Comfortable. Great performance. I am not too enthused about the gas mileage, but that may be because I cant keep my foot out of it. All in all, I love it.

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  great buy - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By hanskitty - December 24 - 10:00 am

  I am a tech. And i found it to be the best in reliability. I have had no problems with any 04 durangos. It made me decide to get the 04 durango. Since I work on every kind of chrysler product, It was an easy choice.

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  The Beast - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Jeannie Lopez - December 23 - 7:06 pm

  I am a 50 year old mom and have a need for speed. I traded in my Mustang I owned for 5 years for this big beast. My husband had asked me to trade in my car for something more comfortable and has more room for the family, so I looked and looked, fighting the fact I needed something fast and muscle packed. Finally found this beast, and it was love at first sight. The power is so over whelming and so tuff to the human eye, but a soft comfortabe touch in side. The color is pearl black which turns heads everywhere I go. This is a keeper!

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  Yes, it has a HEMI! - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Rnortona2 - December 22 - 7:20 pm

  I love my Durango. It gets much better fuel economy than my previous SUVs (a Tahoe and an older model Durango) The ride is great and the stereo system is awesome! You also have great acceleration and the engine even sounds cool. Everytime someone drives it they go on and on about how much they like it. I have the DVD system with headphones also and that works great!

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  Awesome first car - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By AUSTIN - December 22 - 5:44 pm

  I got this as my first car about 2 months ago... I LOVE IT. I got a WELL MAINTAINED one, which explains why it hasnt fallen apart. I live in the hills, yet still get decent gas mileage. It drives like a dream. My friends love it. My dad loves it. Even my mom who hates suvs loves it. I have been camping, off roading, and have taken a road trip already. Its perfect for all of these things.

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  Favorite Vehicle of all Time - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Jim - December 22 - 12:02 pm

  I have the 5.9L engine and do not have 4WD so I get top of the range MPG 17 Not good but over all this is a great truck. Functional and striking good looks. I have kept the scheduled maintenance and have done nothing more to it...100% reliable. Have had two instances when I wish I had 4WD while moving around new construction site on wet ground...poor traction on RWD

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  Best Minivan Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tull22 - December 22 - 10:00 am

  To start the whole process, the dealership was great my sales person was wonderful and most of all my new caravan Ex is unbeliveable. Before I had a ford winstar and the grand caravan just blows it away, from its unique look to is great ride and options that I want on my vehicle. I have put on just over 2000 miles in a month and I get good gas milage. If you are in the market for a minivan you have to atleast give dodge a shot I did and I love it!