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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  Not So Great... - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By ilab - February 7 - 10:08 pm

  My dad bought the car 1 year used in 2003, at about 20k. He drove it until last year, then I took over it when he passed away... After 114k, I got rid of it this year. Our family has had its roots in Chrysler vehicles since the 1940s, but this car as been by far the worst. The average MPG that both my dad and I got was less than the EPA estimated CITY MPG of 24! We were both very conservative drivers. Next problem was that the transmission had to be completely rebuilt twice! It needed new brakes about 3 times a year the rear suspension needed replaced. It had some bad electronic problems, as well as stupid problems. The safety rating for this is horrible as well. Dont buy one of these.

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  Add to your short list of med sized SUVs - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By willmilw - February 7 - 3:58 pm

  Purchased the 2012 R/T just a little over one week ago and absolutely love the handling, styling and interior quality and amenities My mandatory prerequisites were towing capacity, AWD (darn WI inters) usable third row seat, rear camera (have two dogs who love to hide behind my vehicle), good handling and looks. I did wanted an aggressive looking ride with contemporary styling. I did my homework and the Durango came out on top compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

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  Very fun and fast car - 2011 Dodge Avenger
  By ramforever - February 7 - 2:49 pm

  I have just purchased a new 2011 avenger lux edition with the 3.6L V6 this car is great have only had a few days but all you have to do is sit in this car. and your sold the comfort is amazing, My car came with the all black leather interior, loaded. then when you drive this car the interior is so quiet its hard to believe. The new V6 that I have been hearing about and now driven myself. has awesome hp and torque, put together with the 6 speed auto-stick transmission. this is the perfect combination. Chrysler did an amazing job on this car. will write another review after I put some miles on the car.

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  mystery water leak - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By wildwine - February 7 - 2:12 pm

  Have had the 2009 Dodge Journey since July 2008. Had 2 recalls so far for brakes and power invertor connectors of which both were fixed. Now we have water entering car on drivers side and leaving carpet and foam underneath soaking in water. Door seals were changed and still having problem. Taking it in tomorrow for the 3rd time. Let me add that this car only has 15,500 miles on it. We are senior citizens living on a fixed income and cannot afford another one and one year owed on this one. Angry is not the word I would use at the present time but I need to keep it clean,(sic). Of course with our luck warranty is no longer applicable. I will prevail.

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  Charger...More like Junker - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By apachecanon - February 6 - 8:31 pm

  I bought a new Dodge Charger and could not wait to have this home. I love the style, body and gas mileage was reported to be great. Once I got the keys, the door sensor would not unlock the doors, then the key would not be recognized. I bought it back the following week and got the sensors changed out, keys reprogrammed and the nightmare started. Car would die while driving, was told by dodge,"its not life theatening" sure f then would not recognize key, display said Key Not Detected. I have taken the car in 3 times now and still no real solution. The Concole freezes up and can not change the AC/Heater Setting, control the volume or radio options. I wasted 27k on junk!!!Dodge does not care

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  Money Pit- Factory Rip off - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By phoenix85339 - February 4 - 12:50 pm

  The transmission on my 2007 Caliber (90,000 miles)had a bad transmission solenoid - I research repair with transmission shops and dealers and found out that Dodge Chrysler does not provide the repair shops or the dealers with parts, except for a "factory rebuilt" transmission for $3,800.00. Its take it or push it off of our lot... this should have been an $800 repair or a rebulit transmission for approx $1,700 at worst. The dealer "Tempe Dodge, AZ did a sloppy job and it had to go back for another 2 days, for them to figure out where they went wrong...After owning Dodges for 28 years, this will be the last Dodge we will ever own...

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  neon=lemon - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By foreveryoung14 - February 4 - 4:23 am

  Since summer 2010 I have put $2000+ dollars on that stupid car. First a bunch of gaskets blew, then it was the alternator, then it was the radiator, then the brakes, then finally the water pump...which doesnt seem like a big deal for any other car, but on a neon you have to take out the whole engine just to replace it. A $20 part turned into a $500 job. I used to love driving my car, but now when I drive it I am constantly listening for weird sounds and wondering about when it will break down next. The day the transmission goes will be the day that I scrap the car for parts. I wouldnt wish this car on my worst enemy.

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  Caliber should be called Calamity - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By azdave3 - February 2 - 6:05 pm

  We bought a used Caliber with 2300 Miles on it. Wife liked,wanted it. Was OK for 3 years and 60K. But then it started to self destruct. Wife was hit with $3300+ in repairs during which we were advised Tie Rods were shot. Hmmm? was my question as were in Az and dont deal with poor roads as elsewhere. Brakes went- $260+ during which we were told MORE suspension and Motor mounts shot. Then the Alternator went, $180+ 4 Hours labor and special tool to remove. I immediately sent it to a new Home...Far, Far away from mine. Horrible, Horrible Car.

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  mpg sucks, not what they tell you - 2012 Dodge Journey
  By hare8221 - February 2 - 12:10 pm

  ya,i have one with 1600 miles on it and the mpg i get is 12.2 on the freeway and 11.6 in the city. its back at the dealeship for the second time. i got better mpg with my 2004 yukon v8 with 120000 miles on it, when i traded it in for the journey i was getting 11 in the city and 17 on the freeway, i thought i was coming out ahead but not. 2012 journey 3.6 fwd

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  Dakota sxt v6 regular cab - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By mainer351 - February 1 - 11:05 am

  Best and most reliable truck ever owned. When I first got it, needed a computer and some maintenance after that it runs like a champ and it does what I ask it to do and never lets me down. The 3.9 v6 magnum starts right up in sub zero temps in the middle of brutal Maine winters and runs strong. The truck gets up and goes with the 3.92 rear , while its missing top end power. The 4wd in the truck is awesome with good clearance and it out classes any fords, chevys, and toyotas offroad. Take this truck to rugged Maine north country offroad through mud holes , rivers and mountains every summer to go camping and its never giving me a problem. Very good looking truck and fun to drive.