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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  2008 gc sxt - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dalet` - December 23 - 11:30 am

  Had the van about 2 years now and have put 34,000 km on it mostly highway as we use our Jeep still for city when we arent going out together with all the kids, have had the power steering hose blow completely off within the first month. Its currently at the dealership because the transmission is slipping and the ignition module is gone too and cars tarter also needed removing. We dont drive it much but we love the van just too bad there are so many problems so early in the vans life. Also we have been told by the dealership that the brakes need replacing which seems pretty early for only 34,000 km. Also another to watch for is the plastic trim on the floor we had a piece snap in half

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  96 Dodge Caravan - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By B. Levine - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had 7 minivans since they came out. This one was the best one realiable,handles like a luxury car. Fun to drive. I would never drive anything else.

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  Great truck and 0% financing - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By djal2000 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Good, reliable american truck. Does not have all the bells and wistels of some of the more pricy trucks out there but its got a solid V8 and lots of room. Great looking truck too. When you figure in the 0% financing its thousands less then anything close to the same size and power

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  What a gas - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Mark - December 18 - 1:16 pm

  Just bought an SXT 2wd. I had to have the Orange one. It gets a lot of looks already. It is very comfortable and easy to get in and out of. I am a large person and this thing really fits. I was kind of surprised that it didnt have cruise on the base model. I dont use it a lot but would have been nice. The back does hold the biggest goalie bag they have, which was a requirement of the household. Remember this is a rear wheel drive vehicle, so it dosent drive like your FWD car your replacing. Fun, fun, fun to drive. It handles just as well as the Intrepid I replaced. Cant wait to get some more miles under the belt.

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  Disappointing - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By pn9382 - December 18 - 7:26 am

  Had struts replaced at 65,000. The mechanic has replaced the strut mounts 4 times because whenever the weather turns cold we get a bad clunking sound when we hit a bump. Also problems with the electric windows and locks.

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  The blue bug - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Mizzez Franklin - December 17 - 3:37 pm

  My husband purchased this car for me in the fall of 2006. To my surprise. This car handled great for me as most of my miles were city miles. No complaints of traction, or stability. In the previous sentence you see I mentioned WERE city miles, as my daughter totaled my car on her moving day. I believe that if she hadnt, I would still be driving my car for another 60,000 miles. I loved this car and the only problems I had with it was the O 2 sensor. This started at the 70,000 mark. No big deal for me. I also had the 18 inch alloy wheels which I will miss. And to the complaint of the helicopter noise, the cars brochure mentioned this. No big deal to me, just raise the window slightly.

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  dans ex grand caravan - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Daniel D - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable on long trips. Handles great for a minivan. The powered doors have become indispensible.

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  Horrible Brakes - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By jon - December 12 - 9:20 am

  Do Not Buy a Dodge Journey!!! At 13000 miles I had to replace the front brakes. At 19000 miles I had to replace the front brakes again as well as the rotors. Chrysler is doing nothing about it. The dealer says that its normal. No it is not!!! I have owned numerous cars and have never had to replace any brakes before hitting 50,000 miles. I loved the car at first for the features and the ride, but the brake issues have destroyed everything. Do Not Buy a Dodge Journey!!! You will regret it!!!

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  Not just a family vehicle - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Tufguy183 - December 7 - 12:16 am

  Im a 23 year old and I cant be happier with my new 07 caliber. I love the tough design and the solid interior. Im single and Im finding so many uses for the large open space within the vehicle. I will definitely buy another Dodge in the future.

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  Enormously disappointed in 2012 Dodge Caravan - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dogleg1 - December 6 - 11:20 pm

  I bought a new caravan about a month ago. Previously I have owned four Dodge Caravans and liked them. This one has power to burn but the overall quality and design features are very poor in my experience. The accelerator pedal is hard to control and evidently cant be adjusted. The ride is hard and you feel every little bump in the road. The seats are hard too ,I would call them cheap, cheap. When the front seats are pushed back the support frame sticks out and you hit your legs on it. It doesnt come with fender splash guards and the tires throw dirt on the car. I put them on the first few days I had it. The motor and road noise is very bad. Poor sound proofing. More to be said later.