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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  Better than everybody else... BUT - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By REDBARON - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Well, I guess I have done better than everybody else. I have 74K on the van and it does its job. But the transmission blew up at 74K (1 month after I paid it off). New transmission 2,600 bucks. Over all it has done a good job hauling the family until this. Never had replaced the breaks yet. I do have the oil leak but I just put some kitty liter under where I park it. It a Dodge I knew quality was poor but at the time it was the cheapest one with the 2 sliding doors. Buy the extended warranty because you will need a new transmission at some point. My mechanic guarantees it!!! Learn from my mistake. Or buy a Honda!

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  Rlibby Green Caravan 1999 - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Rlibby8866 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This Caravan SE has been very reliable . I have spent many hours riding throughout the Northeast, in snow, rain, and sunshine and I must say the Caravan gave a very comfortable ride. During the winter with snowtires on all four, the road/tire noise is abit loud...but I knew I was safe. I have replaced the front rotors and pads once at 90,000 miles and the condenser in the a/c was replaced at 95,000. The van now has 133,000 miles andis still running very smooth.

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  Ping, Ping, Ping, Boom, Smoke - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Harvey Cedars - May 9 - 2:00 am

  5.2L, 5-speed. Was a superb ride till I hit 12K miles, then engine started pinging. Got worse and worse until it sounded like the engine was full of ball bearings. Tried high test gas, then brought to dealer which twice did all TSB checks. Finally submitted to Chrysler arbitration, who tried to reneg on their promise to buy the vehicle back until I mentioned the magic phrase "EPA". Delivered it back to Dodge on 12-23-00 with 36K on the clock and pinging, burning oil (1QT every 700mi.), and a terrible grinding sound in the front when cold. Chrysler service sucks!! Ive had CC cars all my life - never again. Quality has gone to the dogs. Where is Lee Iacocca when they really need him?

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  A Keeper...For Now - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Space Junkie - May 8 - 7:46 pm

  When I needed another vehicle I immediately looked for a good deal on a Caravan; I drive a 2003 model at work every day. For a large vehicle I like the way it handles similar to a smaller car and the smooth ride. I only drive seven miles round trip to work each day and I take very few long trips; so fuel economy wasnt a big concern. When I DO make an occasional extended trip from home Im glad to have the roominess and the AM/FM, cassette/CD combo--more options for entertainment. Also like it because it IS a nice looking vehicle. I feel good driving it. Gas mileage on an extended trip for me has been about 23 mpg. Around town, mpg is about 8-10 (estimated).

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  What is a lemon? - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jon - May 8 - 12:26 pm

  We bought this van with the stow-n-go seating and the next day went on a 3000 mile trip. Other than the A/C draining into the passenger compartment, we truly enjoyed our new van. By 6000 miles the belt had to be changed. By 9000 the rack and pinion had to be replaced. 10000 and part of the Emission system was replaced. Sounds as if a U-joint is clicking and a thump in the front end. When will it stop?? We no longer trust the van. Would you??

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  Disappointed - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By No More Dodge - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is nothing but trouble. My speedometer chip, cam sensor, both front window motors , a rear door motor, have all gone out and now it always over heats. My best friend bought one too and her transmission went out at 50,000 miles. All this car is good for is looking at. Dont buy this car unless you like paying rapair costs all the time. I will never buy a dodge again let alone a neon. These cars have major problems and the dealers are very dishonest people too.

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  I may never have to buy another car! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By glf07jm - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my 05 magnum sxt for over 3 months now, it turns heads everywhere. everyday i drive it to work at 90-100+ miles per hour (early morning traffic). it performs awesome. i went with the sxt because i couldnt see paying the money on gas with the RT(V8). i traded in a 99 ford tourus sho that had a v8 in it, and i must have forgot how much father you can go on a full tank of gas with a v6! the tourus i had was fwd and the engine weighed so much, you could bearly squeal the tires. i love the rwd on my magnum, if i turn the ESP off i can have as much fun as i want to, you can squeal the tires easily! i plan on owning this car until the day i die.

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  Excellent - Style, Value, and Quality - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By fett76 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I recently traded my 97 VW Jetta for the Neon SXT and have had absolutely no regrets. The Neon is sporty, fun, and has an overall feeling of quality to it that suprizes me for a low-priced economy car. The SXT is a great value and has been a blast to drive. The car feels a little underpowered when accelarating onto the freeway but an adjustment in driving style solved the problem. The only other minor complaint is the manual rear windows (coupled with power front). This is the only "cheap" feeling feature to an otherwise great car.

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  Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 4.7L/5spd - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By diirk - May 8 - 2:00 am

  We ordered the 4.7L motor with the 5spd manual tranny. A really fun combo. We also added the LSD and towing pkg and pw/pdl/overhaed console and bed liner. A nice way to go because theres nothing you really need to add to the truck. We were able to pull our friends 22TT without any problems and its and older heavy model.

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  One of the best cars made - 1996 Dodge Stealth
  By Kidjoe - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I got my Stealth when I turned sixteen and now im eighteen I still have it and it is so perfect. Everything feels as great as it looks. 0-40 in like 5 secs.