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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  Great afordable vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mpguy30 - August 3 - 9:10 am

  We bought ours in May being in the military and leaving country we needed a more reliable vehicle, and we found the Dodge Journey fit all our needs. We have a family of 5 so we got the 3 rows and we are in love with the vehicle.

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  98 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Sport - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Indiana Bob - August 2 - 1:00 am

  Bought in Sept of 99 after birth of twins, with 22k on it. Now it has 120k. Trans went out at 36K and 38K (covered under waranty). Went through instrument panel controllor and 2 engine computers (@$400 and $600); which is very unusal (I am spoiled by having driven Subaru for 30 years with excelent reliability). Have replaced muffer and starter which is normal; heater hoses went out last week ($600). Build quality is and interior materials less than asian cars. Will most likely not buy Dodge again.

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  Bad Apple - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Daniel Ryan - August 1 - 12:20 pm

  Purchased the Grand Caravan in 1998. Liked the way it looked and there were not many alternatives like today. Over the years, had numerous problems with the vehicle. Most annoying was the vehicle would shred the belts about every 12 months. Dealers would say they fixed the problem. About 12 months later, the belts would shred again. Too many other problems to list. Finally, after deciding the transmission was about to go and having the belts shred for the third time in three years, traded for a Toyota. This was my second Dodge product. I should have learned from my experience with the first (Intrepid). I will not be fooled again. I will never, ever purchase a Dodge again.

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  My new Dodge - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Jamie Wilke - July 30 - 8:33 am

  I love my new R/T Caliber. I love the Sirius satelite radio. I dont think I will ever be without it. The garage door opener programmed right into the car is a great feature. No more searching for the remote. I am hoping to utilize the U Connect feature when I get my new bluetooth capable cell phone. I am still looking for help on programming this. There is nothing in the owners manual. We will see how that goes.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Disappointed - July 28 - 2:16 pm

  MY wife loved the Dodge Journey. She has hip problems and it was easy for her to get in and out of.However, we have had it into the dealership several times and I am bringing it in tomorrow again.Loud noise when turning left. This was resolved by dealership. Sometimes when backing up the transmission slams into gear. The first time I heard It I thought we were rear ended. Dealership cannot find the problem, because it only does it on occassion.When going down the road and exceeding 55 mph. front end shakes. Does not do all the time so it is hard for dealership to correct. We are taking in tomorrow for a recall on brake sensor. Not a problem now but it could be. Gas mileage is poor also.

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  buying another dodge grand caravan - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By d.baker - July 28 - 4:36 am

  we have 5 kids and bought this 2000 dodge van used in 2002 w/ 34,000 miles. 6 years and a total of 163,000 miles later we are buying another used 2007 dodge van. we have not have had any thing major go wrong with the old van, just a tranny sensor that was recalled anyway. Still has good pickup and the cassette doesnt work anymore. going to keep the old van as it still runs good and trade in value isnt worth squat.

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  Dodge Magnum RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Diana - July 26 - 10:53 pm

  I recently purchased my RT and I love it. The Hemi gives me power when I need it. It has the comfort and style of a much more expensive vehicle. So far the gas mileage is right on track. Im sure it will get even better as I put more miles on it. You can actually hear the radio/CDs without having the volumn turned blasting. You hardly notice the outside noise with the windows up. Im a very satisfied customer.

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  Decent van for a low price - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kretara - July 26 - 11:53 am

  We bought our 2007 Grand Caravan SXT used without 23,000 miles on it. We had been shopping for a minivan for a few months. We wanted a Honda/Toyota, but for the price of a 4 year old Honda/Toyota we were able to few months old Grand Caravan. We are very happy with the van. Tons of cargo space, the kids fit in perfectly and the wife likes driving it. The build quality is lacking, but you cant not expect all that much from an American car company anyway. Some interior parts feel very cheap. The transmission thunks and jumps at low speeds. Gas mileage is 16 city (very hilly) and 27 highway. Not too bad for a truck.

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  Want to trade it in... - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By driver1 - July 25 - 9:03 pm

  Im reading the reviews here and getting nervous about the transmission. For the last several fuel fill-ups, the car doesnt accelerate properly. Itll go, then theres a noticeable loss of power upon acceleration, then go, while my RPMs are all over the place. Usually, after getting gas, Ill have to pull over and re-tighten the gas cap (it looks like I have OCD at the pump... putting the cap on over and over, until I feel like I have a good seal). This morning (at 55k) my check engine light came on for no reason (havent refueled in days). Id like nothing more than to get the light to turn off, and trade it in before Im out 4+k.

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  All Things? - 2000 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Scott Rose - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this used with 75000 miles on it 16 months ago and have put 100000 on it since. Although it cannot be all things to everyone, it gets pretty close for me. Power, durability, road competence, and just plain utility are excellent. There are issues but not worth whining about when price is factored. Overall value is excellent. Strong towing vehicle.