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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  94K and still runs like NEW - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Jman - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car since it was new and have only had one major problem out of warranty. The A/C went out at 75K. Had it fixed and it is fine. The Head gasket did go out while it was out of warranty, but Dodge paid for it anyway because it was a design problem. That was at about 40K and it is now at 94K and still going strong. I will take any Civic that has an intake and exhaust no problem.

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  You dont know what youre saying... - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By 1996 Dodge Avenger - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I dont know why people put me(Avenger) down. Okay, with every kind of car comes a bad one or two. There could be a bad Honda Civic but it shouldnt ruin it for every Honda Civic out there. Just because you have crappy luck, doesnt mean you can put me down or even Chrysler/Dodge. Chrysler/Dodge is awesome, obviously, otherwise you wouldnt have gotten me in the first place. So, just remember...NO car is perfect(except me of course). Damn.

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  New Stratus R/T - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By dodgeboy11 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive only put on a couple hundred miles, but here is my first impressions: Fun to drive w/ excellent handling. Good feel of brakes. Steering a little over sensitive, but responsive. Horsepower OK...nothing to write home about. I have noticed a couple squeaks and rattles inside...typical Dodge. Overall, about the most fun you can have in a car that is still practical.

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  Mr. Durango (as my kids call it) - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Rayzak - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This new Durango surprized me in many ways. I owned a 2000 SLT and this one is light years ahead of it as far as fit and finish, refinement, comfort, quietness, and rear-seat comfort. The exterior still is taking me a while to warm up to, but the interior is magnificent. It drives so quietly and smoothly, its hard to believe im driving a 5000+ pound vehicle. The stereo is the best ive heard coming from the factory and I love the new head unit. Ive got the 4.7L and its a great enging (once again, very quiet and refined). I had an 03 Ram with the Hemi and thats a great engine. If towing is needed, then definetly go with the Hemi.

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  My second Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Bill E. Bob - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Moved from 1999 Durango. The improvement is dramtic!! Better fuel economy than 99 model. Better ride. More interior room. Great turning radius. Would do it again! Ours has the Hemi engine, worth the money.

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  Almost Perfect - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By coloradobill - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Hemi Durango for a month, and love it. Fun to drive, quiet, comfortable, looks great, refined, good stereo system, and it goes. (Be careful, you are probably going 80 when you think you are going 60.) Compared to competing vehicles, I think the Durango is a steal. I feel a bit smug driving it around and I have to admit I enjoy "looking down" on all those little, teeny, tiny BMWs, Mercedes, Lexi, and Acuras.

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  We could not be happier - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By smilingbrownbear - October 31 - 10:00 am

  We have now owned this vehicle for just over three months. It is as good as the other reviewers have mentioned. Looks great, rides great, reasonably priced. Love the power liftgate! Excellent storage area, including underneath seats. Seats are very comfortable. We are very satisfied with the vehicle and the complete buying experience with our local Dodge dealership.

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  Glad I got rid of it - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By donny - October 31 - 2:00 am

  when we got the car it ran for a while, then the transmission went sour, then the engine went sour, so we got rid of it. the thing came, however, came with an awesome stock sound system.

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  FUN, SPORTY CAR - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By ALIFS - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT MY AVENGER...EXCEPT THAT I HAVE TO GET RID OF IT DUE TO THE FACT I HAD ANOTHER BABY. MY SEVEN YR OLD CAN CLIMB IN AND OUT OF IT EASILY BUT ITS LESS CONVENIENT TO GET MY THREE MONTH OLDS CAR SEAT OUT OF IT. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE CAR BUT IM REALIZING THE SPORTY FUN CAR MUST NOW TURN INTO A PRACTICAL MINIVAN OR SOMETHING :(

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  the best car in the world - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By viperboy - October 31 - 2:00 am

  it a great car and it is a blast t6 drive. gotta have one!