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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  Avenger is a very good car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By JayTee - December 11 - 5:23 pm

  I just took delivery of a fleet Avenger -its got the 2.7 liter V6. This car has plenty of power. Dont believe the car reviews. Its quiet, smooth,looks like nothing else on the road. The style is quirky, but grows on you. I havent had it long, I have owned two Sebrings before and NEVER had a problem with them. The Avenger surprises me with its extras- outside temp gauge, tire pressure warning, power adj driver seat, 4 wheel disc brakes, and Sirius radio. And the price was unbeatable. Way more room inside than the new Malibu. If I could have, would have picked the SXT If you want to buy American- this car is hard to beat. Why do car mags always give these vehicles a bum rap?

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  INTREPID ES V6 3.5 - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By AHMED ELHAJ - December 11 - 2:00 am

  VERY SOLID CAR THE V6 3.5 IS A THIRSTY ENGINE BUT THE PERFORMANC IS ALL WORTH IT IT HAS A VERY SLEEK LOOK FOR BUSSINESS OR A NIGHT OUT IN THE CITY

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  This thing has POWER ! - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By Cliff D. - December 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Dakota. Drove the 1st one 130000 miles it was my best vehicle ever ! Bought another. The V8 has unbelievable power. Feels like the most powerful truck on the planet. 60/40 bench seat is very comfortable. A/C is very strong. 6 passenger but only if they are small kids in back.

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  Love the RT-10 2002 Viper.......... - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By Vipersrule - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I love the RT-10. Obviously the car is designed to be a power house race car. Nothing more. In that capacity and just flat out gorgeous looks - its the best street legal race car for the money. Nothing turns heads better and the power just plain "ROCKS!"

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  GREAT!! - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By sAM - December 11 - 2:00 am

  BEST IN THE WORLD!!

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  bad rear end - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By oc dd - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Does this sound familar. Great looker, nice features, had to have it when I saw it. 58K miles later I get 10.2 gallons per mile, the AC evaporator replaced twice under warranty and once by me. Now it needs a new rear end! My mechanic says it is quite common! It still looks good (other than rust on bottom of window frames).

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  LikeMyIntrepid - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Roger - December 9 - 2:00 am

  For what it is, the Dodge Intrepid is a very good car. It has more room than anything else in its price range and looks very sporty for a family car. The gas mileage is good and I have had no problems at all with it mechanically in the 15 months I have owned it.

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  Hemi Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Topip - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Great ride. Great performance with the Hemi. Excellent sound system and the GPS is a kick. Got rid of the way too quiet mufflers and resonators. Now sounds like a it has an attitude. Turns heads wherever it goes.

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  Should have known better - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By JoshM - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had it a couple of months and the computer is already going on it. I have a 91 Ford Escort with 185,000 on it that runs like a jem. Unless Dodge suddenly improves, this is the last Chrysler product I will purchase. I do like the interior design and my wife likes the way it looks but as far as the engine and overall build, there is much to be desired.

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  I thought 93 was the best one built - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By apc - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because I thought they had more to offer them a Taurus. Now I had a chance to get a great buy and a comfortable car too. The bigest headachs are no cup holders in the base modle, and the back doors pop open or do not latch shut in cold weather. I have to warm up the car and then the (both) back doors will stay closed. I also was surprised to put $300 in paint to remove lower body surface rust. I guess when they warrenty 10 years against rust through it best have a hole in it.