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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  Ready for our 4th boy with the SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By James H. - July 20 - 12:33 pm

  Have only had for 2 weeks but it looks like Dodge got it right. The stow & go is brilliant. Traded a 2001 Ford Windstar LX basically stripped. My SXT is loaded for the same price. Its great not to have to buy an aftermarket cd player and have the windows tinted. Both are standard w/3 zone climate control, 2 power sliders and power liftgate (only extra item $400). Its much quieter than the earlier Caravans. Having to move the seats all the way forward is a minor inconvenience to use the stow & go. It sure beats lugging them into the garage. Dodge reliability is always a concern but they can have their foreign minivans for $5k more. I dont want to pay $550/mo for a minivan.

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  I love it! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Jen - July 20 - 11:56 am

  I absolutely love this vehicle. It is sporty, yet sophiscated. No it is not speedy, however I dont need the tickets! It is fun to drive and fun to look at!

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  Gas Mileage Deceptive - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By TexasDodge - July 20 - 3:53 am

  Unfortunately, we bought this vehicle because it was to get 19-25/26 mpg. Despite cross country trips, clean air filter, proper tire pressure, calm driving etc, we cant get over 15 mpg. Do not buy this vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle is fine.

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  Great in snow - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Dianag - July 18 - 5:33 am

  We down sized from Infinity Q-56 to this Dodge Journey because we travel up to the Adirondacks every winter weekend and needed a car that was good in the snow-yet good on gas. The Journey is amazing in the snow and has never let us down. We are very happy with the get up and go that this car has. Another plus, is the amount of room this car offers, especially with the seats folded down. We often have our 3 dogs and our grandson with us and there is plenty of room. The only thing I really dont like is that the Nav screen needs to have a control on it-because its too bright at night and during the day you can not see it if you dont manually adjust it by going into settings.

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  Top Mini-van? - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shawn Frankenhauser - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Anniversary Edition should come complete with ALL the toys. Isnt that why its a special edition. Lacking is the enhanced overhead features like optional horn beep to lock doors,daytime light on/off etc.,load leveling feature, I think the ES has all these other bells/whistles that would make the SXT Anniversary Edition a true Special Edt.

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  never again - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hgmuc - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the second dodge ive owned and i should have learned the first time. THANK GOD i got the warranty when i bought this car used - Ive had to replace the transmision at 70,000 and have most of the valve gaskets replaced in the engine - there is still oil leaking into the air filter I think the fuel injectors are crapping out now as well-

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  Awesome Sedan... - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Blackbullet - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Currently own an 04 in Electric Blue with the Sunroof and all I can say is I love it! The car is fast and can accelerate around corners real fast. After installing the Stage 1 ECU along with a Mopar Exhaust the car sounds like a beast and its only a 4 cylider. Also the Quaife LSD make a big difference, alot more power is tranferred to the wheels equally and you can grip the asphalt alot better. If your the type of person who will beat on the car and not keep up with the maintenance your better off getting a Kia, but if you like fast cars with Turbos, for the money you cant beat an SRT-4! 2003 Sport Compact Car of the Year!

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  2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jsr - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable, quiet ride. Good visibility. Excellent sound system with six speakers. Easy to drive. Test drove Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, also. The Grand Caravan is definitely competitive; I was pleasantly surprised. Decided against the Sienna due to smaller space; the Odyssey due to budget. I would have bought the Odyssey at MSRP, but no offers.

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  Utility out the wazoo - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bill S. - July 16 - 12:03 am

  This van does everything we need it to do. Haul kids, groceries, vacation, camping gear, plus dozens of other things. When we bought it my wife and I said we would probably never be without one again. I still stand by that statement. The comfort and utility of this vehicle is unmatched by even the most expensive autos on the market. And its MADE IN AMERICA! Isnt that a refreshing idea!

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  LOVIN MY SRT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By GREGK54 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2000 Neon loved the way it handled and looked and wished it was faster, thanks for for making my wish come true