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 this suv - 2009 Dodge Nitro
  By justus - October 9 - 4:58 pm

  love this nitro-lways wanted one, drives like a dream, fun to drive, love it love it love it

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  2nd Caravan - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By Bill Sparrow - October 7 - 10:46 pm

  Bought a demo with 8k, 3.3 litre SE. Live 80 km north of Winnipeg so almost all hwy use. Have over 50k, not a single problem, get 9 litres/100km, hwy (31 mpg Imperial, 26 US). Took out the back seats and put in a hinged bed for camping. This is my 2nd Chrysler mini-van 1st a Plymouth w/ 3 litre engine. Did 110k on that one with only tires, brake pads and battery required. Paid $18,000.00 for Caravan, Sienna would have been almost double. Looking forward to the plug- in hybrid model. Cant understand why some say they only get 16 hwy these vans are made on an assembly line should be fairly consistent. I baby my vehicles, so may be a connection there. Keep oil and air filter clean. Tnx.

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  I LOVE my car! - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By ado - October 5 - 11:07 pm

  I absolutely love my car! This car looks hot(even better with tinted windows). I thought that the R/T offered quite a few options for very little money. While the 4 cy. engine wont beat anyone off the line, I do get about 24 mpg. The ride is very smooth and the car is fun to drive. There is a blind spot to get used to and the chrome around the gear shift can cause a glare, but otherwise I like the chrome look. I enjoy having Sirius radio and I love having the radio controls on the steering wheel (a feature I thought Id never use!) The interior is extemely roomy and there is a lot of trunk space.

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  HEMI - I got one! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By mackyds - October 5 - 2:35 pm

  I have waited many a year for this kind of vehicle, and now I have one! I still remember the hemi-cudas, six-pac super bees, etc. but never owned one. When I seen the new Callengers, I just had to have one. And I tell you, if you want a car that gives excitement, this is it! 425 hourses with 420 ft/lb torque is just plain sick! And the looks and the comments are never ending when I am driving "the Beast" around! Everytime I get in her, I cant get rid of that "you know what" eating grin off my face! Especially after a couple Mustang GTs found out what it was like to mess with that 6.1 liter under the hood! Thank you Dodge for bringing back the excitement!

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  13 years old & still great - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By AnnaMN - October 4 - 4:43 pm

  I originally purchased this car when I was 16 for its exterior look but after 7 years of driving it, it has proved to be an amazing car. At 146K it is still running great. The 2.0 4-cyl may not be the most powerful engine on the road, but it helps with fuel costs. Very comfortable interior, easy to drive great handling in all weather. Drove it back & forth to college weekly, has never broken down. Its time for me to get a new car even though its still running great, but I needed to pay tribute to how wonderful the Avenger has been. Will be sad to see it go.

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  If you drive the HEMI first... - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Azulojas - October 4 - 2:00 am

  If you drive the HEMI first... You will be absolutely MISERABLE with one of the smaller engines. If you want to save money, DONT drive the HEMI! Interior is spacious and comfortable. Heated seats, DVD rear passenger entertainment system, 1 touch memory for pedal control, seat position, mirror positions, radio, and temp. control were adored by my wife. Fun to drive, good looking, TONS of features. We drove escalade, navigator, expedition, and DURANGO. Got ALL of the killer features in the Durango for about 10 to 15 THOUSAND less!! and by the way, did I tell you it has a 5.7 v8 HEMI!

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  2000dodgeintrepid - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Francis H. Schott - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Very good car, reliable and comfortable.

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  An excellent car with good mileage - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Mike M - September 30 - 12:27 pm

  I had owned 5 Neons over the years before buying the Caliber. I am still disappointed about he termination of Neon, but I am extatic about this Dodge. Great mileage at 32-33 mpg..(I havent taken it on a trip yet). The ride is superb and handling is great. The power is more than adequate, even with the tiny engine. I am very happy with the Caliber overall. The lighted cup holders are a wonderful dafety feature in my opinion.

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  Amazing! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By cooz123 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Yes, its like a broken record, but I have to agree with 90 percent of the posts here, this car is all that and more. Everything about the SRT-4 brings a smile to my face. I used to drive an 87 Mustang GT and that car doesnt come close to the fun factor I experience in my SRT. Stage 2 and new wheels and tires are in my forecast. I hope this car will go down in history as one of, If not the best bang for buck cars ever sold.

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  my minivan - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By Jeanne - September 29 - 11:19 pm

  i love my minivan, i use it for both business and pleasure, fishing, camping and pulling my boat too , i love it.