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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  Great so far! - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By bourdain - October 16 - 9:18 am

  Bought this yesterday in Charlestown, SC. Drove it up HWY 17 to Myrtle Beach and averaged 26.3 mpg. Thats 3 mpg better than the 4 cylinder Highlander that I just sold. It looks better and rides better. Go drive one, youll like it!

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  2010 Furious Fuchsia R/T - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By twindavid - October 14 - 6:26 am

  It was time to face facts. My middle aged body could not keep up with the timeless lines of my 440 Barracuda. It was hot to the extreme, uncomfortable, and cornered worse than my Suburban. Fuchsia...The perfect color! Unusual and as hot as it gets. Aside from the exterior pallet, the interior was the perfect compliment of white leather, fuchsia stitching, and led lighting bliss. This car is what a true muscle car should be. Obnoxiously beautiful! The performance of the car was true to the Edmunds review, fast yet comfortable to the extreme. The Canadian plant that built her absolutely botched the paint. Actual drips under the door mirror, and dry haze along some seams. (?)

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  2011 3.6 Dodge Avenger Lux - 2011 Dodge Avenger
  By kuvasz101 - October 12 - 9:06 am

  I am in my 50s and have driven all types of cars. I have owned numerous Chrysler performnace cars. I wanted something sharp looking and fun to drive. I cant stop driving this car, I love it. The handling and performance are great. The auto climate control works super. The sound system makes it a pleasure on long trips. I could honestly say this is the best car I have owned for its money.

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  Collect and Collect! - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By niko10 - October 10 - 4:31 pm

  I have a 1991 RT, red with black leather interior, one of less than 200 made. My baby has 4000 miles on it :) I have owned Ferrari, lamborghini, and porsche and this 91 handles and rides just as well as any car Ive been in. Mine has recently turned fresh collector and will probably never sell it unless someone offers me over $200k for it. These are collectors, tuck them away.

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  2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD is crap - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By blois16 - October 10 - 8:44 am

  I purchased a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD in May 2009. My husband had been told he would be shipping out to Afghanistan the following year and wanted me in a new AWD vehicle. What a wrong decision that was. New brakes at 26,000 miles, transmission leak, shuddering, which took 3-4 times to repair. I was told #5 cylinder was missing, didnt know why. Replaced EGR valve, had to take back in because the replacement was faulty. Power transfer unit went out, got it fixed, under warranty, no problem. Picked it up, transmission problems. They said water in transmission and Chrysler wont fix. 5-6 k to do this. What a piece of crap. Will get rid of this a.s.a.p.

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  Dodge forgot about quality - 2011 Dodge Caliber
  By usspecialist - October 9 - 3:20 pm

  This car was purchased in February 2011 and 3 month into owning the vehicle i notice rust, paint chips, and the rear window started getting a weird diamond pattern. Also, the car started to run rough.

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  234,123 miles and still racking em up! - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By msm618 - October 2 - 5:27 pm

  I bought my wife this 2000 Intrepid ES brand new. 3.2 liter . Several moves, coupled with life events, made me the sole operator of this car in 2002. My commutes have ranged from 750 miles per week, presently, to 1500 miles per week! I had the door weatherstripping re-installed very early on (poor adhesive). 2 timing belts, 2 water pumps, 3 tune-ups, 3 sets of tires and religious oil changes have helped me reach this mileage. Never been waxed (my bad, I know!), but gets stares and complements everywhere it goes. Has never failed me in 10 New England winters, and has saved my butt twice - a deer strike, and getting T-boned by a brand-new Volvo, whose front end exploded off on impact.

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  Best SUV For the Buck! - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By motownrocker - October 2 - 10:14 am

  This review is for my 2011 Nitro Heat 4.0 (a model that wasnt listed in your roll-down). The Heat version is Chryslers former "SXT" trim: decent exterior trim but inexpensive (cloth) interior seating. At model years end, it was tough to locate a Heat with the rare 4.0 engine option (same engine that the old RTs had). Apparently thats a little-known option on the Heats--even the salesperson was unaware of it. You HAVE to get the 4.0 engine if you want great performance and gas mileage (better than the std. 3.7). I just completed a 300 mile trip (with 400 miles on the odometer) and got over 22mpg at an avg 75mph. The engines quick off the line, the build quality is great, etc.

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  Do yourself a favor! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By kirtie - October 1 - 8:30 pm

  Fast! Fun! Great looks! Very comfortable! Why wouldnt you want to drive one? The only answer I can think of is that you havent tried one yet! I traded a Lincoln in for my Top Banana R/T and have suffered NOTHING in the way of comfort, handling/performance or style. The only thing the Lincoln had that the Charger does not is good visibility. I can only say that to appreciate the excellent build, ride, and fun of this car you must test drive one. It ranks as the best car Ive ever owned, and Ive had a run at most of them out there!

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  Fair mechanically, bad cosmetically - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By lykeh17 - September 29 - 8:03 pm

  I have owned mine since new. I read the other review of the black paint, and I have the same problem. The top coat of paint just flakes off over time and makes your car look like it has dry skin. I have givin up washing it. Very disappointing. And also the dash is cracked in 4 places along the defrost vent. I have replaced the exhaust manifold because of cracks also. The car performs well and kicks but when you mash on the pedal. It gets reasonable mileage for a 4 banger. Even at 141000 miles. If Dodge would have put their own drive train in this car it would have been like the Vega. Mitzu makes a good engine. Also, if your 6 2" or more, this car is too small for you.