What kind of Car is a Dodge?
A Dodge is not a single type of car; it’s the brand name for American automaker Dodge, now part of Stellantis. Dodge vehicles span from high-performance muscle cars to practical SUVs, reflecting a focus on fun-to-drive authenticity and everyday utility.
The best-known Dodge models include the Challenger, a two-door muscle car with retro styling, and the Charger, a four-door muscle sedan. The Durango is a mid-size SUV with strong performance options, while the Hornet, a compact crossover introduced in 2023, marks the brand’s continued expansion into smaller, everyday practicality with a performance edge.
Dodge as a Brand, Not a Single Vehicle
Housed within Stellantis, Dodge is positioned as a performance-oriented brand that blends heritage with modern technology. Its identity centers on bold design, powerful engines, and a youthful, energetic image, differentiating it from other brands in the corporate family by emphasizing driving excitement alongside everyday practicality.
Current Dodge Models
Here is a snapshot of the core lineup Dodge offers today, illustrating the mix of performance-focused cars and versatile utility vehicles.
- Challenger — a two-door muscle car known for its straight-line speed and retro styling.
- Charger — a four-door muscle sedan offering high horsepower options across multiple trims.
- Durango — a mid-size SUV with seating for up to seven and strong performance in higher trims.
- Hornet — a compact crossover introduced in 2023, combining practical space with Dodge’s performance branding.
These models show Dodge’s emphasis on performance variants and practical utility, rather than a single, uniform vehicle type.
Historical Context and Brand Evolution
The Dodge name goes back to the Dodge Brothers Company, founded in the early 20th century, which eventually became part of Chrysler and later joined Stellantis in 2021 through corporate restructuring. Over the decades, Dodge built a reputation for affordable, durable vehicles and then for high-performance muscle cars that defined an era in the 1960s and 1970s. Notable milestones include the Dodge Viper (a high-performance, V10 sports car produced from the 1990s into the 2010s) and the long-running muscle-car lineage of the Challenger and Charger. While the Grand Caravan and other traditional minivan products have evolved or been discontinued, Dodge continues to shape its lineup around performance and bold design.
Performance Heritage
Key models and eras that shaped Dodge's image include the original muscle-car era (Charger and Challenger), the Viper’s late-20th-century snap-back to extreme performance, and ongoing high-performance variants in contemporary models. This heritage informs the brand’s current approach to design and engineering.
Electrification and the Road Ahead
Dodge has signaled a broader electrification strategy as part of Stellantis’ global plan, aiming to incorporate more electrified variants while maintaining the brand’s performance-driven identity. Details, timelines, and exact configurations continue to evolve as the automaker balances tradition with new technology and regulatory pressures.
Summary
In short, a Dodge is a brand, not a single car type. Dodge covers a spectrum from muscle-focused coupes and sedans to practical SUVs, with a legacy rooted in performance and bold design. The lineup today centers on Challenger, Charger, Durango, and Hornet, while the brand also charts a path toward electrification within its distinctive performance-oriented framework.
Do they still make Dodge cars?
Yes, Dodge still makes cars, including the Durango and the Hornet, although the classic Charger and Challenger have been discontinued for now. The brand is in a transition phase, moving toward performance-oriented, electrified muscle cars and SUVs.
Current Dodge lineup
- Dodge Hornet: A compact SUV available as a plug-in hybrid.
- Dodge Durango: A three-row SUV that is also available in high-performance SRT and SRT Hellcat forms.
- Dodge Charger: While the previous models have been discontinued, a new generation is being introduced with performance-oriented powertrains, including an all-electric version.
What to know about the future
- Dodge is focusing on performance vehicles that align with its muscle car heritage.
- The brand is transitioning to include more electrified models, such as the all-electric Charger Daytona.
- While the Charger and Challenger have been discontinued, their legacy is being carried forward with new, performance-focused vehicles.
What brand does Dodge belong to?
The parent company of Dodge is Stellantis, a multinational company formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group.
- Stellantis: Stellantis is the current parent company, overseeing a large number of automotive brands, including Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo.
- Formation: Stellantis was created in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group.
- Previous parent: Before the merger, Dodge was part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
- Historical context: Dodge was originally founded in 1914 and has been sold and changed ownership several times throughout its history before becoming part of the larger Stellantis group.
Is Dodge a Ford car?
In 1914, the brothers decided it was time to part ways with Ford and introduce their own car. The first Dodge vehicle, built on an all-steel body (the first of its kind), left the plant on Nov. 14, 1914, and by the end of the year, 249 Dodge vehicles were built.
What is considered a Dodge?
To dodge something is to avoid it. In dodge ball, players dodge the balls being thrown at them. Dodging is making quick, sudden movements, usually to avoid something. You have to move quickly to dodge a flower pot that's falling from a ledge. In football, running backs are good at dodging defensive players.
