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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  Simple, Sexy and Stylist = Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By JUST FOR YOU - December 16 - 2:13 am

  We spend a great deal of travel time in the car; to and from work, family matters, and or just in weekend pleasure. Choosing the purchase of car we drive says a great deal about you. Im impressed with the Calibers simple, yet sexy exterior body form. Its unique design is so smoothly unisex the owners gender is undetectable. The interior also stately designed to feed, masculine and feminine egos, ample room, big instrument knobs and easy manipulations. Very smooth and "jumpy" in a good way ride. Accelaration - oookay, could be better. Worth the asking price when compared to other vehicles in like categories. Enjoying my ride

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  Pretty darn good so far - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Madfison-Mig - December 15 - 8:57 pm

  Found a gem on craigslist last March and bought a 99 Dakota sport extended cab with 17k original miles (hard to believe but true). All good so far - driven it 5K miles in 9 months and a few oil changes is all the maintenance/repairs thus far. Winter has hit here in WI and an extra 300-400 pounds in the back and traction in manageable around town. Gas mileage leaves something to be desired but I knew that buying a truck. Mine has topper and bedliner and is pretty basic (no power windows or locks - am/fm stereo). Great to haul the kids baseball gear around in the summer and help friends move stuff when they ask!

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  Best bang for your buck - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jsklyar - December 14 - 7:36 pm

  I mainly purchased this vehicle for spacious cargo and also ability to haul 7 people. Car looks nice as well. Of course, generous incentives helped as well. So far, the vehicle is top notch, no complains. Drove on a highway and averaged 26mpg, about 18.5mpg in the city. Though, several things I wish this car would have: daytime running lights (even my old Astro had it), interior lights can only be lit up all at once. Basic engine is somewhat weak but I did not purchase this to win races. Cheesy green light readouts, it is time to join 21st century. No instant mpg, too bad. Seats fold into the floor: excellent idea. Go get one today!

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  Great budget car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By davect01 - December 14 - 3:39 pm

  This car has help up great after one year. I was very hesitant buying an American car. My last vehicle was a Chevy S-10 that was a piece of crap. I swore I would never buy another American car again, until I rented the Dodge Avenger on a trip. Interior: Despite all of the reviews, the interior is very nice and has held up with no squeaks or creaks. There could be a little padding on the arm rest and center console, but otherwise very nice. Engine/Drivetrain: The weak point in this whole car is the 4 speed transmission, it has quite a lag in shift points. The 6 speed offered in the R/T is much, much better. Rear drum brakes, really. I thought these had died out.

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  Serpentine Belt is a real snake - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pathy - December 12 - 1:03 pm

  I bought used vehicle at 100K miles. Now it is at 150K miles. Drove across Texas several times with family, it never let us down. Recently while driving in town in rain, the serpentine belt came off. A month earlier I had replace the rack. Still I feel uncomfortable of its steering. It is loosing power steering intermittently in slow driving. Trying get rid of it soon

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  SXT review - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By tech2 - December 12 - 9:12 am

  Overall my car was very reliable. The only problem I have had since rebuilding the engine is the power control module in this car which I think is a problem. I was looking for a recall on this but did not find one. Also it could get better gas mileege. I added one of those tornados to the air intake which increased fuel economy by 3 more miles.

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  Dodge Nitro RT 4X4 - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By MIKE K - December 11 - 5:45 pm

  I had my Nitro R/T for over a month. I average 15 miles a gallon. I really enjoy driving my suv. I feel for the money I paid the interior would have more luxury items. Love the bluetooth feature through the radio, leather seats arent too bad, heated seats are great. Only the driver seat is power, passenger seat isnt. Nitro R/T has 260 hp and great on the pick up.

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  Best Van in the Business - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Nick - December 10 - 1:56 pm

  Awesome van, rides great radio is the best in the business, and quite ride. I have been averaging 21 mpgs.

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  1993 Dynasty Marathoner - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By GEORGEMJ - December 10 - 1:03 pm

  I bought this car new and still have it with 340,000 miles. Has original engine, trans rebuilt at 300,000. Normal maintenance. Some minor problems but overall good performance. all it does is run. Wont quit. Got a new Hemi Charger but still drive the Dynasty to work.

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  My Durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Candy Buckler - December 7 - 2:00 am

  My SUV is great... The only problem I have right now is the gas prices. I have the 5.9 and it loves gas. I test drove it for 2 yrs before actually purchasing one. Maintenance work I have had done is minor.(E.G., oil changes, serpentine belt was the biggest) Hauls our camper wonderful, and oh all the kids. Could use a little more room in the 3rd row.