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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  i love my ram - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By shaunak - July 25 - 10:00 am

  i love this suv, it fits my famliy of 5, there is plenty of elbow room , leg space. and head room . the 2nd row flips , with ease. all i can say is we love it.

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  170,000 miles and still going! - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By cprevbhayes - July 25 - 8:24 am

  Bought used in 2003 with 35k. Now has 170,000 and still running strong. Did have to replace shift solenoid in tranny at about 100k, but that was only a $300 repair. Motor is still strong and doesnt use any oil. Transmission will use a little fluid occasionally. Only complaint (if you can complain about something that is 11 years old) is that the paint on the hood is fading out. Still drives great. A/C compressor is currently out and weighing whether or not it is worth the $1000 price tag to have that fixed. All in all, it has been a great vehicle. Not that exciting to drive, but great for the family. Hey, its a minivan after all!

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  The Worse Ive Ever Had - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By George35 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is hands down the worse vehicle I have ever owned. I have an 86 Subaru that drives better than this vehicle. I have had my Grand Caravan for Less than 2 years. During that time it has been in and out of the shop, examples: Broken axles, replace rack and pinion, sway bars, belt tensioner, replaced lifters, and electrical problems. Buyers beware!

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  Customized Dodge Ram Van 1500 - 1999 Dodge Ram Van
  By mikelebay - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Extended roof with T.V. and Video Player; Plush Captains Chairs (4); Mood lighting; fold down rear bench; However, chairs dont rotate :( Plenty of hauling room and comfort for passengers and CAPTAIN.

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  Best Caravan yet - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By TJM251 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  They finally got it right. I have owned five Dodge Caravans this is the best one.

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  What A Car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Magnum Lover - July 18 - 2:46 pm

  I must say I really love my Magnum. It really does have the power you want when you ask for it. The design is what got me interestested in this car, I love the low slung broadbased wheel stance and it just squats down and takes off when I put my foot in it. I bought the car in Nov. 2004 and it has 11,200 miles on it. Since I got it , I have taken trips from Tucson Az to Roanoke Va round trip and in March to Kansas and Missouri and back and had no problems of any kind with my car. Of course the gas mileage wast the best, but hey its a HEMI. Want do you want, your cake and eat it too?

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  Great buy - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By r.strait - July 18 - 2:03 am

  We use this van for travel to Columbus at least twice/month. Also travel with 4 to 6 friends to the casinos twice to four times monthly. All comment on ride and comfort. Full compliment of riders allows for 23.3mpg. Average use is about 2500+ miles/month. Am looking foward to new model in fall of 2007. Im sure we will get another trouble free year and a half on this van.

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  Great van, AWFUL maintenance - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By zucchini - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Had molded brake lines go ($500), starter ($200), AC died 2x, various other failures, broken parts inside, flaky electronics (ask about the wiper problem)... STAY AWAY unless you have a 100% warranty and rental coverage.

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  Water leak - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Water leak - July 16 - 1:26 pm

  It is fun to drive, I have been very happy with it, get lots of looks & I cant stop looking at it after I park it.

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  Dodge Caravan Owner for Life~ - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dawn - July 16 - 5:52 am

  Very reliable van. purchased when it had about 26,000 miles. It now has 188,700 miles. We have had to do the standard repairs (Tires & Brakes). Around 100,000 miles we did have an antifreeze leak. Finally after a couple years of dealing with that they figured out it was a crack in a hose. They repaired that and we have not had any problems since. Currently the only thing wrong is the Drivers auto lock broke and the exhaust needs replaced.