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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  Last minute buy - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Chris - January 3 - 6:26 am

  I had a pick up truck that I had to retire, I went to the closest dealership to my home to find a vehicle that I could afford and that I liked. By 6pm I drove off the lot in my sunburst orange Dodge Caliber.

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  Its the Money Pit - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Drex - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I just replaced the AC for $1,400, 2 Transmissions, new front end suspension, new water pump, and starter. We have windshield wipers that come on by themselves and an ABS light that goes on and stays on sometimes when you start the car. Teh brakes and rotors wear very quickly! It has been a money pit. No more Dodge cars or Vans for me!

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  Best Caravan Yet - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Happy Caravan - January 1 - 12:03 pm

  This is my third Dodge Caravan (88, 93, 03) and I have been VERY please so far. I have my latest Caravan for 2.5 years and have zero mechanical problems. The ONLY issue that I have had with this vehicle is that the assemply plant missed the welds that join the roof sheet metal to the posts behind the front door (both sides). The body shop manager at the dealer said that he had NEVER seen that before, so hopefully, it was an isolated incident. Dealer fixed it for free and it has not been an issue.

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  Stow n Go - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mel_gibson_ - December 31 - 7:06 pm

  This is my second Dodge Caravan. First was a 1995 Dodge Caravan (SWB - 3.3L V6). I love the Stow n Go, which allows the both the 2nd and 3rd row seats to go into the floor, virtually creating a cargo van in 4 minutes. Great for my side business to carry a bunch of equipment. Also great to haul my friends for trips - whether theyre short or long. The Stow n Go puts the vehicle in a class by itself. Yeah, stuff falls off, but its the standard Dodge build quality - not great, but for the most most, its nothing that prevents the engine from running. BTW, as others have noted, Ive been a bit disappointed by the gas mileage (18 mpg mixed, 23 highway)

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  My First Minivan - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mcrebob - December 29 - 10:00 am

  I test drove this van and was instantly impressed with the handling and acceleration The list price on the model we chose is over $40,000. One thing that struck me is that the interior is, well, kinda cheap. The seats are nice, firm and supportive, but the armrests are plastic. The doors are very hard plastic. Theres no memory on the power settings. There seems to be an odd lack of headroom for an interior with so much available space One thing that drives me crazy is that theres an edge that juts out from the door where they mounted the PW switches. This edge is hard is exactly where I might rest my left knee while driving. It is terribly uncomfortable

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  Very Happy - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Craig - December 29 - 7:56 am

  The ride with the appearance group/sports suspension is so smooth and quiet. The engine seems well mated with the six speed auto and once again is very quiet. I also like the drivers seat. I have manual lumbar, power adjusting seat, tilt telescoping steering wheel. The adjustments are almost endless.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By osancc71 - December 28 - 6:03 am

  After owning 3 trucks in a row I was ready for better gas mileage! My wife drives a 2005 Magnum SXT so I knew what to expect with the Charger. Truth is I actually like the Charger a lot more than our Magnum. I am always getting compliments on the car and the ride is great. I am very impressed so far from the whole experience.

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  Interior needs help. Too plain - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By jerry thomas - December 28 - 12:30 am

  A great running car. The gas mileage in town is a little weak. The interior is cheap looking. It should have some wood or something to spiff it up. The ride is a little stiff. It makes the CD jump when you hit a small bump.

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  Buy One Youl love it - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By steve - December 27 - 7:13 pm

  This mid sized car is awsome to drive. Looks great and rides great. The R/T awd is the way to go when youre going somewhere. Had many,many compliments on the color, factory ad ons, great car

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  Great car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By rkt wgn - December 26 - 5:00 am

  I love this car. Around town, I get 16 mpg all the time, and on the highway, I got 23.3 the last time I had it on a trip. I really like the power, ride, room, just about everything about it. I need to go by a dealer as I have just started getting a vibration, like running over a washboard, when backing around a corner while it is cold, in the morning. Seems like a positraction problem, like my old Corvette had. Fixed with a can of special oil. Overall, I love it.