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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  dodge journey - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By dodge - December 15 - 10:05 am

  i enjoy driving yhe car it is very comfortable and get good highway mileage 25.8 on a 900 mile trip. the quality of fit and finish is excellent.this car is chryslers best kept secret.

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  PERFECT SIZE - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By RDRGZ - December 14 - 10:16 am

  THIS TRUCK HAS REAL GUTS (V8)AND DRIVES VERY SMOOTH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE INTERIOR IS VERY CONFORTABLE, PLENTY OF ROOM AND QUIET. THE SUSPENSION SEEMS A LITTLE SOFT AT TIMES. THE MPG IS AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED FOR A V8. THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE NOW SITS AS HIGH AT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. NO NEED TO SPEND THE EXTRA $$ ON 4X4 IF YOU ONLY USE IT A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR. SO FAR I LOVE IT AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT BUY FOR WHAT YOU GET.

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  WOW - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By Samantha - December 14 - 1:27 am

  This is my third car and I am 22 years old. To me this car would not have been my choice in car because of the appearance of it ( not being my style ). The car is super comfy and out of the other cars that I have owned this is the best one. However I am having a few problems with it. The hood latch is sticking, it stutters when I accelerate, and the buttons for the heat and air are sticking. With an old car I expect to have some problems but overall its a good car.

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  Love My Intrepid - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By dsuden - December 13 - 9:35 am

  Ok, its not perfect. It has the same tie-rod issues everybody seems to have. But I presently have 268,000 miles on mine, and it still runs like a top. Extremely nice handling, very comfortable ride, reliable, original engine. AC has been out for years, and its starting to show a little rust on the doors, and sure, I replace a part here and there over time, but I cant kick. It still feels like a luxury car, and I still love the design of it, inside and out.

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  Ever So quiet - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By wooda - December 12 - 7:01 pm

  very quiet, awd very good in snow, in side good but could better,cup holders badly placed, door panels need improvement, fun to drive.

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  BEST TRUCK YOU CAN HAVE - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Woods10 - December 12 - 1:22 pm

  Im 17 and My dakota is amazing!! I love it!! It has the 4.7 V8 and NO lack of power thats for sure! i have 3in of lift with 33x12.50 mud kings and people are always amazed in how much mud this truck will go through!! Only thing i want to change is the front seats. i want to make it a six seater with the flip up console. i just dont know where to find it.

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  Good car but bad motor. It has some bugs - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Nicole MIlles - December 12 - 9:43 am

  This is a really good car. But I have only had it for about a week, and the motor is already messing up. I do love the car but it is a new car so it must have some bugs that needs to be worked out.

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  Really Like ! - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Eileen - December 12 - 2:08 am

  I recently acquired my Dodge as a gift from my children, It is gunmetal grey,which is nice as it appears to change colors, depends on weather conditions,looks nice on the road. Gas mileage is ok but not as good as we had hoped, and I do not put my foot to the metal.Like the way it handles.

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  Awesome Ride! - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By luvinit! - December 11 - 6:32 pm

  Only just got it a few days ago so Ill have to come back and give an update after Ive spent some real time with her but so far its the best car Ive owned so far. More power than I even know what to do with, excellent handling for a rear wheel drive car and a very comfortable and well designed interior. The MPG of course is atrocious but itll probably get better when I stop gunning it just for fun, and anyone looking at this variant knows what they are getting into with that. Its great b/c it has tons of room for the family so you can get everyone comfortable to where they are going...really fast!

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  Excellent Vehicle For The Price! - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave N. - December 11 - 9:40 am

  We purchased our 2007 Grand Caravan SXT about a week ago and have been looking for an excuse to drive it ever since. This was our first minivan.I never thought I would be the minivan type but I have to admit I love it. My wife is expecting twins and we needed the extra space. I know the vans from Honda and Toyota get better reviews in many circles, but for the price you cant beat the Grand Caravan. The exterior design is really sharp. We have power side doors and tailgate. What a convenience!. You can open and close all 3 with a touch of a button. The inside is even better. There is a ton of room with all kinds of storage. It handles very well with good pickup. The visability of the road is great!