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:

• 

  01 Durango 5.9L R/T 4 WD - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By IveBeenDodged - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 01 4WD 5.9L R/T for about 16 months so far. Anyway except for a few cheesy interior bits that have broken under warranty . Also last week the tilt wheel hand switch that you push down to tilt the steering wheel broke off in my hand while I was tilting the wheel. Another first. It was a cheesy plastic thing internally which should have ben made out of metal if you use your tilt wheel more than twice a day which I do. Taking it back under warranty tomorrow to fix, even though I shouldnt have to for these small things.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By FSUcutie00 - August 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new car. Its so much fun to drive and the speakers handle awesome. Its a fun and easy to drive car !

• 

  03 dodge - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By playjon - August 24 - 10:00 am

  i needed a new car that got better gas milage and was an automatic because i extended my work drive and i am very happy with my purchase.

• 

  Nice Car Mister - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Steve Harwood - August 24 - 2:13 am

  Most of my driving is 600-700 miles at a time. This car is so much fun to drive I wish I had farther to go! Plenty of interior room and the comfort is superior. I have the 2.7L V6 and it has all the power that should be expected from an engine this size. Last trip I got almost 30mpg cruzing at a constant 70 mph. The handling is extremely good.

• 

  Why Cant They Build It RIGHT????? - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By LionelMan - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Well, Ive owned three of these: 86, 92, and 98 and now Im done with Chrysler. The AC systems are junk, the electronics are flaky, and they make more wind noise than a pickup truck! The 3.0L is underpowered and isnt safe to drive in heavy traffic. Im buying a Honda Odessey next.

• 

  cute but effective - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By R_Erickson - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Have the 4 cyl sport in white, sharp looker. Drive it like a truck, hard and fast for 75,000 miles. Not a high horsepower vehicle but fun to drive and never felt underpowered hauling or towing so long as you keep her in 4th.

• 

  a - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By obed - August 24 - 2:00 am

  THE BEST FUEL ECONOMY CAR AND FUN TO DRIVE.

• 

  2000 Dodge Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Jonathan Hoffman - August 24 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very reliable, and also fun to drive. I cant say one bad thing about this car. It gets good gas milage too!

• 

  durango 5.9l engine - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By dbbb - August 24 - 2:00 am

  lots of function, great acceleration, best suv there is no doubt about it, and thats 15 words or more

• 

  The Muscle car for Women - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Kim Sampson - August 24 - 12:36 am

  Hello, I am a 47yr old woman who has gone totally overboard with this car. I have never been a car head and I have to say I am now. I love my Charger. It is totally the womans muscle car. I have the R/T Hemi, added a few of my own things. Added a little bling with some 22in chrome platinum wheels titled "sweetness" of which they are. Every day when I get in my car and turn up the tunes and hit the road. It just starts my day out great. I know this sounds way over the top for a woman my age, but you never know untill you feel the power of a Hemi and with the added Bling its even more beutiful. I love this car.