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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  Unbelievable - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Terry - August 28 - 3:06 am

  I got my Dodge Daytona Charger in the Top Banana Color. Ive never owned a Dodge before and was quite surprised by the quality. Heads turn when I drive down the street. The Hemi is awesome. Bucket seats are very nice and hold you in place around turns. The car has lots of room and a firm ride. Ive owned a Corvette before but this car puts it to shame.

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  96 Dakota Sport - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By ddjlane - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Great little truck low maintenance, hard worker, fun to drive.

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  Great Van For The Price - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By tiger - August 28 - 2:00 am

  We have had our caravan for 5 months and so far it is great. It rides and drives great and the fuel economy has been good. (19-26mpg)

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  Learning Experience - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By meanestmomever - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Durango because it had 7 passenger seating and was NOT a mini- van. I wanted the security of 4x4 since we have ice & snow 9 mo out of the year. Turns out the Durango is quite squirly on the ice, the rear end swings out, and it comes standard with 4 ply tires which are no good in rural areas or mixed dirt & pavement. Lots of flats. Oh and no anti-lock braking if the 4x4 is engaged.

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  Durango SXT - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Gordy - August 28 - 2:00 am

  My first SUV. Im 64" and this thing has plenty of room. Very comfortable on long trips. PLENTY of power and I feel very safe in this vehicle. I was hesitant to buy a Dodge because of reputation, but I have had the vehicle for a year and put almost 20,000 on it with absolutely no trouble. Ive really enjoyed this vehicle.

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  not too shabby - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By cruz - August 28 - 2:00 am

  so far not bad great pick up and go fits my familys needs

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  My Red SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By E.S.L - August 27 - 10:00 am

  My wife an I bought the SRT-4 Feb. of this year, and we must say it is a very fun, fast car to own. If we had to choose to buy over again we would. Only down side the choice of colors, i.e. no yellow, but they did have every other color (blue, red, black). Otherwise a great overall car.

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  THE "2005" DODGE MAGNUM RT/HEMI - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Elizabeth Frigo - August 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the most awesome car, sure looks like a station wagon, but has a very classy, but tough look. My husband and I are thrilled to have this car, so yeah maybe we are going through our mid life crisis (ages:42/46), and it does make you feel younger. You have to drive one for yourself, then youll see what we mean. We bought the inferno red which catches everyones eye, they all stare at it and even stop you and ask all kinds of questions. We love it and plan on keeping it for a very long time. We have been waiting for Dodge to make a car that we would love and they finally did it, so glad we waited.

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  Problem Vehicle - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Sue Able - August 27 - 10:00 am

  Nice looking SUV but we are having Airconditioning problems and Chyrsler nor the dealing can fix it. If you live in Alaska your okay but if you need air get some other SUV.

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  1993 Intrepid ES - 1993 Dodge Intrepid
  By scrutinizer - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Not reliable and expensive to repair. Steer clear!