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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  1998 Dodge Dakota - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By M.Rogers - August 13 - 2:00 am

  We have had nothing but problems with our Dodge. We bougt it and the Dealer told us it was normal for the gears on a manuel Dodge to be tight to shift. So, not but a few months after we bought the truck second and fifth started slipping. Then our Catalytic Converter went out, warranty recall. Then we found out the truck has an exaust leak from a bolt head that came off and is stripped so we have to take the truck to a Master Mechanic. We wanted to sell the truck but unfortuatly Dodge vehicles do not hold their value so we are about $3000.00 unside down in the truck loan. Who said life inst fair!!!!!

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  Hyundai or Dodge? - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Crash Test Dummy - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I have been looking to get a SUV for a few years now. I am soon to be getting my permit in a few months and am dying to get a car. I love the dodges cute pudgy looks but my friend owns one and says shes had nothng but trouble and also that the fuel economy is horrible. I am looking at a Hyundai Santa Fe too. But sadly it doesnt have half the things that the base durango has (Like leather seating, opt side air bags, 8 speakers..infact the speakers are quite poor on the Santa Fe). Would the Dodge SLT be a good car for a first time driver?

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  What a fun car! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By alfonso - August 13 - 1:50 am

  The wife and I were going to buy an SUV, but we saw the TV ads and looked at it and fell in love. If your going to buy it, get the Hemi. its got all the room of an SUV, but the style is in a league of its own!!!

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  Thought i would like it! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By kjd - August 12 - 11:56 pm

  I went with a smaller vehicle for gas reasons. I find myself putting $40-$50 a week in this car. I think it was over-rated when they put the gas mileage on the vehicle. I also had it in the shop for road noise,"the tires were deflated to put into showroom, and never were inflated for me at pick- up". It still sound like a mac truck from the inside, it is so loud that I cant even hear a siren when its behind me. I have to turn the radio up loud to just cover up the road noise. I really wished I had shopped around more before purchasing this vehicle. It rides like a lumber wagon!

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  Ping - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Fred - August 12 - 3:36 am

  I love my Caliber (still). It now has 21,000 miles and I enjoy its exterior appearance and interior comfort. Its drivability is alright. My Caliber was recalled for the "flash" that was supposed to have taken care of the brief pinging noise the engine makes immediately after shifting into gear and accelerating. My car still makes the pinging noise and I am concerned this will eventually cause damage to some engine component. My service man at the dealer told me I should try running the car with premium unleaded to see if the ping goes away. I just looked at him and laughed as I had already tried this. Seem Mopar doesnt know how to fix the product it designed.

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  1990 Daytona ES Turbo - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Brian21 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a 1990 ES Turbo. It has the 2.5L 4 cyl Turbo with the 5 speed manual. This really kicks it. 7 second 0-60. I havent had the time yet to see what it can really do though. I just got it home. Its in good shape for the year, interior is Excellent, but the paint peeled and rust formed (which I will fix). Nothing rusted through. And I paid only $750 for this car! with only 92,000 Miles on it! This was a great deal and I couldnt pass it up. I love to drive it, its fast and fun. It has the infinity Sound system in it, that rocks too. This will be the best car that I have ever owned.

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  mustang eater - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By xturbos4x - August 12 - 2:00 am

  awsome car and very fun to drive if u know how to

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  Great Car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By LuDäCRis - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I got this car about a month ago and it is GREAT! It drives nice and feels nice. Overall a great car!

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  Larry Smith - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Larry/Charlene Smith - August 12 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the "Hemi" with all the features except the "navigator" system installed. And, so far, have not been able to purchase. That is really our only complaint; and we were told by the dealer it would be several more months before it would be available, and since our reason for the purchase was for travel, we would like to hear when it is available.

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  Bad Breaks on the Dodge Journey - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By EffieCA - August 11 - 12:23 pm

  Like so many other Dodge owners I have had to replace my breaks at 9,000 miles. It was NOT covered by Warranty so I had to pay out of pocket. One month later the same front breaks began to make terrible squeaking noises again. I had to take it back to the mechanic two more times and eventually had to have the rotors cut. Im sure this is not the end of my break problems but just the begining. When is Dodge going to recall the breaks??????