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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  Best (only) van I ever owned - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By Stephen James - October 19 - 11:58 am

  Had been keeping my eye out for transportation and found this on the lot of a local Dodge dealer - bought it for 1400 less than their asking price. It doesnt leak nor burn oil - between every 3k miles. Excellent power and a good cruiser. I do most of my driving around town on the freeway and consistently get 22 mpg! I think thats great for a Grand Caravan. Took a long weekend trip last spring and the speed limits are 80 mph in west Texas - also climbed a few mountains and still got 25 mpg on that trip. I knew of the reliability issues but found the positive recommendations out numbered the negatives. Glad I went with my gut feelings about the van.

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  Saved my life - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By rebadeba - October 19 - 1:27 am

  Ive been from Montana to Michigan 2 round trips alone (female) and didnt feel the highway gas mileage was bad at all. Im used to driving in snow all my life & a week ago completely totaled my Durango on a very icy bridge (many people have wrecked on this dangerous long, narrow bridge, my stupidity). I thought I was going to go over the railing into the Yellowstone River that night! The Durango slammed from side to side, spun around several times & slammed over & over. I walked away without a scratch on me! The tow truck driver said that I was lucky I was driving a Durango (didnt flip) they are tough! I will go get another. its worth the safety & never needed repairs 70,000 miles!

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  American Muscle - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DodgeLover - October 18 - 10:13 am

  Theres no doubt this car is what Dodge intended to create when they designed this baby. A straight- loving American muscle car that grudgingly slumps around corners and then takes off again. My Daytona Charger is quite a head-turner, especially where I live in Daytona Beach, Florida. I love the ability to outrun smaller, faster LOOKING cars and have them stare in disbelief. I love my Daytona and would absolutely suggest it to anyone who isnt looking to spend too much for (relatively) great performance.

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  Good Value, Looks Like a Keeper. - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Siyu 28 - October 18 - 1:08 am

  Thousands less than the Odyssey & Sienna, this was the choice. With kids, saving thousands to have it trashed was worth it. SXT package had aluminum rims, capt. chairs & tinted glass, that was all was needed. Rides & handles very well & decent gas mileage. Interior a little cheesy, but who cares, everything was functional. Had an early minor steering recall & had a rack & pinion leak at 30K. Back row difficult to take out/in. All in all a decent van that Ill probably keep til it (knock on wood). Unfortunately, these vehicles dont hold or have any value over time. If I get over 100K on it, I will consider it a bonus. Sadly, this is probably Dodges top vehicle, a van, but its a keeper!

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  mystratus - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By pugmom - October 17 - 3:33 pm

  This Stratus needs a little more get up and go otherwise I am very pleased with this car.

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  pretty nice so far - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Mellojello7 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My new sxt neon is awesome. I was able to to get it with 7 miles on it for only 10,900! It only takes 15 bucks to fill the tank! It really gives alot of bang for the buck. Its a fun car to drive on my daily commute. It looks cool on the outside with the alloy wheels and sharp red color. I love the cool sounding roar from the engine when accelerating. No other car can give you all the extras for the price.

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  Bad Choice - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Georgia Peach - October 14 - 2:53 pm

  Really like the Journey over all but have had nothing but issues with it. Im the 8th review of there is a noise when making a left turn and after 3 power sterring reseviors later it still does it. Also there is a ticking noise in the engine. Found to be rocker arms and tappets, both replaced and it still makes the noise. My car has been in the shop 4 times and I still have the issues. The journey rides really smooth, I got my 1st. speeding ticket of 23 years driving in it. Would not recommend this car, too many issues.

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  Good but not great - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Durango Don - October 13 - 1:27 pm

  I used to own a Subaru WRX but when my wife became pregnant I decided I needed something a little bigger. We had looked at a Grand Cherokee we liked but I decided to purchase the Durango. I enjoy owning the Durango but there are so many small things that always catch my attention. Minor noises when I start the engine, the way it idles, the way it accelerates sometimes, etc. I am always afraid something is breaking. I am probably just paranoid because so far I have had to take it to the dealer every month to have something fixed. I think my best purchase may have been the warranty.

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  Noisy transmission and road noise - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By GRAND CARAVAN - October 11 - 11:48 am

  This is the noisiest car I have ever driven. Sounds like the transmission is already in trouble after only 4000 miles and earlier. The road noise is awful . Could be the tires. Will take it back to the dealer next week, but compared to my 2000 Voyager its just noisier and parts internally and externally seem flimsier. Hope they are not going back to their old poor workmanship compared to Japanese cars.

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  transmission - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By curti420 - October 11 - 10:44 am

  i too have the chatter in the transmission. they did a flash and that didnt help (there is a flash update for the auto stick). then they say they cant find the problem or replicate the problem. then i finally get a tech to ride with me and as soon as we leave the lot it shift from 1-4 before i get to 30 mph and shakes the crap out of the whole car. then they replaced the torque converter. much better but can still feel something wrong. i almost guarantee its the torque converter.