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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  Love my Charger - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By LoveHP - July 20 - 4:59 am

  Its not my midlife crisis car, it my midlife living car. Ive had it for over a year and still get compliments.

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  Alot of bang for your buck - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By matt - July 20 - 3:23 am

  We purchased our dodge journey sxt in march. It has been a great vehicle for us it was cheaper than the imports and alot more comfortable for a 6 2" guy. There is plenty of storage compartments and cupholders. We have the v6 and it is very fast. Handling is also very good. Fuel mileage is pretty good about 18 around town and 23 on the highway. overall im very happy with this vehicle and would recommend it to everyone looking for a crossover

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  A solid Car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Dodge Driver - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Good car - had to replace head gasket at about 80k, but no major issues

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  GET THE 4 CYLINDER!!! - 1992 Dodge Caravan
  By LP - July 20 - 2:00 am

  this is a very reliable van with cold a/c and even though its not very quick, it is very reliable. 150,000 miles and the 2.5 liter 4 cyl. engine runs like a top. Ive heard the 6 cyl. is plagued with problems!

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  Love my Car - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By PackersJd - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Well I have only owned this car for about 6 months but I can tell you that it is an excellent car for the price. I got all the cool special features I wanted for a reasonable price. The only thing that was a problem was if you replace the stock deck in the car you cant have the factory amp hooked up, and I have blown a few of the stock speakers but thats probably do the the weather in Michigan. Other then that small inconvience, its a great car

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  will never buy a dodge again - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By timsarahriley - July 20 - 2:00 am

  We have had a problem with the car since we bought it. As far as we know there was only one other owner, and why she traded it in, I can guess why. First it was the struts, then the brakes, transmission, knocking noise, air conditioning, I could go on and on.

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  crap!!!! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By mcujiu - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my stratus for only one year. All i drive is highway miles, the easiest miles on your car. Well, now that my warenty is almost up i have had to replace the tourq converter, and the front tie rods. What else is going to break once my warrenty is up? All i have been hearing now is how cheap dodge has been making their cars. I am starting to beleive it. I wont buy another chystler product.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By cablejimbo - July 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Durango. The only reason I traded my old one is, I got a great trade in price. Plus I also wanted the more pulling power that my old one didnt (I had the 318 now I have the 360 motor). I this this is a great SUV. A SUV that you get more for your money. I never had a problem with my old Durango, and thats why I am now on my second one.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Kimberly - July 19 - 2:00 am

  My car is now ten years old, ABS just went out, so Im shopping for a new car and cant find -anything- that compares to the Stealth!!! This has been such an awesome car for ten years, fun to drive, fits tall people, turns head, front wheel drive so good in Chicago winters, folding down hatch so I can fit my bike and anything inside, why the heck did Mitsubishi stop making this?!?!? I would buy a new one in a heartbeat and dont want to give it up!

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  Too much to fix - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Dorothy - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I would not buy this car unless you have money to keep fixing it. The head gasket will obviously go at multiple points, and then everything else under the hood will go as well.