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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  dont waste your money - 2011 Dodge Challenger
  By tallfinger - January 30 - 2:09 am

  styling is awsome however the drive train of this vehicle is the worst ive seen since ive started buying cars. fell in love with the styling but that love has turned into regret for speanding so much money on a lemon.

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  iffy at first - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By bradord28 - January 28 - 12:16 pm

  Bought this dodge avenger in jan of 08 and pretty much bought for the lifetime warranty. Well a couple months down the road it needed brakes they wanted the rotors and pads to be replaced after 13kyeah right i replaced the pads myself and have the same rotors still. The next problem was the paint on the rear quarter panel in the lower corner behind the back door needed to be repainted after 15k. brought back to dealership they told me design flaw dodge wanted nothing to do with it. but dealer offered to split fix and make better. i thought oh boy this car is going to be a money pit. now has 130k miles and knock on wood have had little problems since. overall greatbuy lifetime warranty

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  SXT Plus, w/ SS pkg great alt for commute - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By misha1957 - January 27 - 11:39 pm

  I traded a 2008 Chev Malibu LTZ, that I liked a lot but it had a ton of miles on it due to my long commute. I decided this time around I wanted something a little less family sedan, and a little more "Grand Touring." The Camaro was a little too cramped for my daily routine, but the Challenger hit all the sweet spots in a happy medium between performance and practicallity, with comfort and knock-out good looks. If you really dont need a sedan-league back seat, the Challenger is a fantastic car for daily duties. After driving it for a couple of weeks now, I am totaly impressed with how easy it is to live with in my daily commute.

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  Very average car - 2011 Dodge Caliber
  By challenger9 - January 27 - 10:28 pm

  I recently purchased a relatively new 2011 Dodge Caliber Mainstreet for $12,900 it had only 600 miles. I am relatively happy with ownig this car. However, I found that this car to be very slow, the 4cyl, 158 hp engine with the CVT transmisson is very weak. The engine lacks power for changing lanes and going up hills it makes long distance driving very difficult. Extremely poor gas mileage about 20- 24 mpg. Cheap interior and uncomfortable seats. Positive things are exterior styling and interior room. I would never buy this car at retail at $21,000. Howeve, if you can find one at a discounted price I would buy it. They are good commuter cars for providing basic transportation

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  Hope all goes well! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By tred20 - January 22 - 11:45 pm

  Just purchased the journey about a week ago, and I must say that Im pleased with what I got. After reading all the reviews Im getting scared but I must press on. Cant let others dictate my decision. In the past Ive been driving jalopies. Now I got something that can stand proudly next to and say this is my car. My wife absolutely adores this suv. I have alot of concerns, but judging from what i previously owned I feel that Im much better off. I pray that I dont experience some of the problems that others have experienced. Although I have noticed a slight squealing noise coming from the hvac unit. I hope this is not a sign. Guys I use to drive a car that had not heat nor ac.

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  The beauty can mask anything - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By nbrandl - January 22 - 12:44 pm

  I am a mechanic, I bought my 2006 Dodge Magnum 3.5 High Output AWD a year ago with 54,600 miles on it. As always, I performed a full vehicle check on the car before purchasing it. I loved this car, it was fast fun, elegant, and provided everything I needed, at first. Since I bought it I have had numerous mechanical, programing, and electrical issues currently totaling to $4,500 dollars. Just to give an idea, at 70,000 miles my throttle just went out (this isnt included in what I have already spent) and I now have to replace the entire intake system which is going to cost around $2,200 (these costs dont include mechanics fees, which will potentially double the costs) *A battery cost $300

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  If you want the devil following, choose this car. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By nexxt - January 21 - 1:09 am

  I got this car at the beginning of 2010 when i was 15, & have been driving it ever since. Now im 17, & the first year of having my car it was so reliable & great. About a year after having it, alot of problems started happening. My sensors dont work, my engine light turns on all the time & when it does, if i go past 2 (RPM)s, my car will start jolting back & forth. Feels like stalling, & i have an automatic. When it rains, my meters dont work. My MPH, Gas, Car tempt, & RPM gauges wont even move. I dont know why, but my locks open & close at any time. They flip out & it locks & unlocks ALL the time by itself. I have 82,000 miles on it, & i dont feel safe driving it at all. Waste of $4000.

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  Great Value - 2012 Dodge Avenger
  By interpolfan1 - January 21 - 12:30 am

  The 2.4L has plenty of power,and is comfortable and fun to drive. The drivers seat sits higher than my Patriot did,so after driving Jeeps for the past 7+ years,I dont feel like Im sitting on the ground. I love the cold weather package and the stereo sounds great and is easy to access,thanks to the steering wheel controls. It has handled well this winter,though I have to remind myself I no longer have 4x4.Havent had it long enough(2 weeks)to know what the mpgs will average out to.

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  LOVE IT! one weird, dangerous flaw - 2012 Dodge Journey
  By aoneil - January 19 - 7:48 am

  this thing is really fun to drive, maybe a little too much fun. it only took a day, maybe a total of an hours worth of driving, to figure out the controls and set everything to my liking. the acceleration is pretty good, really smooth when you hit it. Mind you Im one of those people with 2 speeds - on and off, but she not jarring and very responsive.

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  Make sure you have AAA for towing! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By phillpotimus - January 18 - 2:23 pm

  Bought my car 6 months ago with 68K. Week 1: Whinning in the front end. Took it to the dealership and insisted they fix it. They replaced the passenger side wheel bearing. Cost: $0 Week 7: Airbag light comes on. Took it to a diffrent shop and they said a sensor went out....? Cost: $323.00 Week 11: Grinding in the front end (drivers side). Took it back to the shop. The ball joint went out. Apparently that is also connected to the tie rod end as one piece. Also making my tires wear bad on the inside of the tires. While there, had the battery replaced. Cost: $968.00 6 mo. after purchase: Stranded! Altenator died! Tow and repair. Cost: $548.00 If you dont need a car, Get this one!