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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  NITRO LOVE AFFAIR - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By slownomore - December 3 - 2:31 pm

  we have been with the nitro since our new 2008 sxt that we recently lost in a house fire.This was my wifes baby. I didnt think we could find a replacement and after looking at other suvs nothing filled the void like a 2011 nitro heat.we love the vehicle.When I get the chance to drive it I enjoy the way it handles and rides.For us the 3.7 has plenty of power.And living in MN the 4wd is awesome in the winter.My wife loves to shop so the cargo space is great.With the rebates and incentives dodge was offering in november we got into the nitro under 20,000. A great deal for a 4wd suv

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  Bought new 2012 Challenger - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By bluescrubsnj - December 1 - 7:14 pm

  I love this car. I bought the SXT 2012 model with the sport option this past November. Pros: I feel the engine V6 size is ideal: I save a bit on gas mileage compared to the V8, and car insurance is cheaper. I knew someone who had a 2009 Charger and complained of poor handling in rain but my 2012 Challenger has handled very well in the rain. I like the interior and exterior design of the car. It turns heads on the road too everyone has a mustang, but few have a Challenger. For cons, I think its backing up turn radius is difficult in a small parking lot. But, I do not appreciate much of a blind spot as the reviews note. I would recommend this car to someone considering a muscle car.

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  great car but lousy service - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By rhofwinnssc - December 1 - 4:53 pm

  I bought this car used six months ago. I have had problems with the car starting, the starter was finally replaced after ten - twenty visits to a dealer. Now six months later the car will not start and I call the Chrysler corporation feeling as if they will help make me whole. Nothing doing, I took the car to a authorized dealer and found out that it was a faulty wireless module and key. You can guess what happened, your warranty does not cover it and you have to pay seven hundred dollars to have it repaired. What a kicker!!! If you plan on purchasing the Journey buy brand new, this is why I will not purchase another American made car. Foreign dealers make customers whole.

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  Horrible - DO NOT BUY - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By em211hi - November 30 - 12:06 pm

  Awful car - Have paid over $7,000 to replace the whole front end (twice). Do not buy! DO not buy! Dodge does not help either.

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  Very Nice Retro Muscle Car - 2011 Dodge Challenger
  By jethrobodine - November 29 - 2:31 pm

  I own the Toxic Orange v6 Ralley with the track pack and upgraded stereo. The track pack added loads of torque and will throw my head back when pushed. Just a tap on the accelerator at the light is all that is needed to leave most behind. The interior is well layed out with the cabin insulation excellent. The seats are extremely comfortable and the radio will blow ones ears off. While in the car the v6 can not be heard at idle but makes a nice throaty sound at the exhaust and when pushed has a very nice roar. The ride is very smooth and makes a nice freeway cruiser but handles well within traffic and on residential streets. Overall one of the best retro muscle cars if not the best.

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  low repair costs - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By bart25 - November 25 - 3:42 am

  its not the most reliable, but its cheap to fix, if youre a do-it-yourselfer and make the repairs yourself its the best you can own, parts are dirt cheap for the Caravan

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  Premature replacement of ball joints and control arms - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By tml4579 - November 24 - 3:22 pm

  IÂ’ve gone through the proper channels with Dodge/Chrysler to try to get a resolution on this matter but have been advised there is nothing they can do for me. At this point I just want it on record what my experience as a consumer has been like dealing with them on a manufacturing issue. I found out a few months ago that my car was in need of ball joints and control arms. The car was less than 5 years old with less than 60k miles when the problem started to occur. The dealership gave me a quote for repairs of $895.36. I am single mother just barely getting by so naturally I didnÂ’t pay for the repairs because I donÂ’t have that type of money. So week after week I just had to drive the car a

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  AMAZING VEHICLE - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By bepractical2 - November 24 - 2:29 am

  I just recently purchased a 2012 durango in metallic blue. Its amazing, handling and power is really great. It has alot of power as well as decent gas mileage for an SUV. I got all the extras with this, leather, heated seats, power liftgate, remote start, I also added a small hitch for business. I love it. I recommend this vehicle highly. AWD is a must, I wouldnt get this in 2WD only AWD.

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  MY front end is gone... - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By poorcar - November 21 - 8:00 pm

  I own a 2007 dodge caliber and the front end is gone, it has less then 60thousand miles on it..and i did all the oilchanges/tires and normal wear and tear.. i went in for my normal oil change and the mechanic said my front end is gone...: lower ball joints and right tie rod end..what is going on here i called dodge and they said i might have gone over a curb and that would of done the damage to my car...are they serious... a curb. i want all my money back and want to buy a car that will last... i am in shock..has anyone had this problem or am i alone..no recalls, i cant even drive my car until i get it fixed... what am i going to do.. i have to work.. please has anyone else experienced this

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  2012 Charger SRT8: getting what you pay for - 2012 Dodge Charger
  By mtstevens82 - November 20 - 2:19 am

  Having driven the 2011 R/T for most of the year, I was already familiar with most of the features but was completely unprepared for the improvement in handling and power this beast brings to the table. On a highway you can easily top 100 mph without the pedal getting halfway down and still be treated to a symphony from the engine, which prompted an unprintable exclamation of approval from my first passenger. The auto mode sets the suspension for maximum comfort and in even the sharpest turns the car remains level. Sport mode unleashes the cars max performance. Fuel economy is about the same as I had with the R/T, although thats more due to San Diego traffic than anything else.