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 it - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By David - October 15 - 11:28 am

  Our Dakota is a great medium sized truck. The towing capacity is more then adequate for our little trailer. I know much has been said about the fuel economy of the 3.7 litre but I have to say that we get 20-21 around town ans 24-25 on the highway. We keep it at 65MPH. Do wonder about the OD on the transmission under 50 and on hills at that speed I feel it performs better with the OD off.Comfortable and solid drive!

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  Best Van Made - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Dale In Florida - October 14 - 8:09 pm

  Best vehice I have ever owned...I,M 62 AND HAVE OWNED TONS......

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  Bang for your Buck - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Rich - October 14 - 1:26 am

  This is the most comfortable car to drive in its price range. Believe me before my purchase I had test driven them all. I love the design and the fact that this car looks different from everything else on the Market. I was between this car and the Mazda 3, to get the Mazda with the Same features it would have cost me $2000-3000 more!

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  Many miles and more to go - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By KLL - October 13 - 11:09 am

  I have had this car for 5 years and have put over 190,000 miles on it, i have done just routine maintenance and replaced the tires. I have been extremly happy with this car and hope it lasts me past the 250 mile mark.

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  Love Mine! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By dk1677 - October 12 - 7:36 pm

  Over 4k no and no problems. My only trip to the dealer was an oil change. A fun SUV. Comfortable, good performance and ok gas mileage 16 around town. Very solid on the road. Mine is an automatic ( no SXT choice for that) I am very happy with my Nitro! Its a real head turner!

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  I love my Magnum! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By PBooth1115 - October 12 - 1:13 am

  What a great car! Ive never owned a car that accelerates AND turns heads this quickly. Hemi engine is a must. Interior is comfortable. Heated leather seats great for Chicago winters. $1800 is worth it for the navigational system and 6 disc CD player-makes it fun to drive. Too new to know about reliability. Only complaint is that angle of rear window makes it get dirty easily. Just keep it clean.

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  Excellent car - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By P - October 11 - 10:06 am

  I like it so much! I believe Chrysler made the best minivan. 2006 Dodge short base 3.3 L 175 hp has 26 mpg on highway. 2010 Dodge Grand 4.0L has 251 hp and 27 mpg! Very good result! Almost same fuel economy but more power! My kids so happy with 2 DVDs, table, LED lighting. MyGIG system awesome! I believe it is the quietest van on a market.

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  Fun on the cheap - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By southside rick - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, easy to park in the city, and can beat most everything off the green light-- while still providing room for groceries and the baby seat. The interior build quality is quite good for a car that is less than $22,000 with a moon roof. The suspension and 17 inch wheels hold the road beautifuly, and in the city I find the comfort going over potholes quite reasonable for a sporty car. Its a great value for anyone who wants to cheat the ordinary everyday driveing experience, without paying the full freight of a Viper or Corvette.

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  ahhhhhhhh - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By nomattrwht - October 10 - 2:00 am

  My very first new car! I am completely satisfied with my purchase. Sure its hard going from a 6 cylinder engine to a 4.. I miss the pick up, the get up and go! I thought going from a 6 to a 4 would save me money on gas... I dont see much difference at all... oh well. Im happy, Its comfy, sweet looking, reliable (thus far), and overall a joy to drive. Love the many windshield wiper speeds, the back seat opens to the trunk, the button on the dash to open the trunk, versus it being in the glove compartment. Would like an actual tripometer, but thats getting kinda picky I suppose. Definite RECOMMEND.

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  Charger SXT fun to drive - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Steve Hubbell - October 9 - 10:08 pm

  I dont have any real complaints except that the 3.5 liter HO V-6 loses power when the automatic 4 speed transmission shifts from 1st into second when the gear selector is in drive, accelerating from a stopped position. However you have to place the gear selector into 3rd to achieve the second gear power boost from a dead stop. The car is well designed and fun to drive. The 3.5 liter HO SOHC V-6 is plenty peppy and the chassis is very agile. My particular car is the 2009 SXT RWD 4SPD Auto. The fuel mileage is phenomenal when the gear selector is left in drive and you keep your foot out of the fuel injectors. The car is a joy to drive.