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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  Pretty good car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By joseph - September 16 - 11:06 am

  I recently bought my Neon SE and have taken 4 very long trips since. I am impressed with the quiet interior and the handling. Not a whole lot of power but then again you dont buy a Neon for power. In todays world with the rising cost of fuel and all other products, I think this vehicle is a smart and economical buy. Parts are cheap, gas mileage is good ( I get around 35-37 hwy, 28-30 city), and the warrenty by Chrysler is outstanding.

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  A lot of shopping - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Robert H. - September 16 - 9:53 am

  I did a lot of shopping for this van and am well pleased. I got a great deal on the price [better than the websites suggested would be an excellent deal] and the dealership was one of the best I have ever dealt with. I realize you get what you pay for, and so many of the "convenience" items are missing from my van [power seats, power side doors and liftgate, dvd, etc.] but I decided I did not need them and they would only be something more to eventually break if I kept the van for a lengthy time. I am totally impressed with the bluetooth and satellite radio function, and the seats are tremendously comfortable. My biggest reason for purchasing Dodge was the price break and the stow and go seating. I have the room of a regular size pickup truck bed behind the front seats with all the seats folded into the floor and the seats are easily used or stowed in minutes. I can now take the bicycles on long trips with them being safely stored inside the van. The 283hp is plenty and it will accelerate to highway speedo very easily. Obviously a minivan will always look like a minivan, but the Dodge does have a certain rugged look about it with the black grill and crossbars.

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  OMG Automatic - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Hunter - September 15 - 1:03 am

  This car has been very good to me other then the usual replacements on a used car with 160,000 miles. But I happened to get the automatic, which lets just say all should stay away from, because once one thing goes, it all goes as I found out. The speed stinks. It takes about 1/4-3/8 of a mile to get to 55mph. All the engine and transmission gaskets are leaking, the floor pans are all gone under both passenger and drivers feet, and the supports through the floor pans are broke and about gone.

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  Ho Hum - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Dave - September 12 - 12:53 pm

  Previously owned an 01 RT Coupe. It was a much superior ride. The 04 RT Sedan 5 speed manual is extremely noisy. The transmission sounds like a sewing machine, and even at 70 mph on the highway it is still prevalent. The 2.7 Magnum is efficient, but nothing to excite an enthusiast. This would be a good soccer mom car. Cant wait to be rid of it.

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  2007 Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Joe - September 9 - 8:13 pm

  Purchased the Caliber last week, and so far so good. Got the SXT and am pleased with the cars performance as compared to my Neon. The only negative so far is the sound system. Its adequate,(especially when playing a CD), but thats about it. Also, be sure to ask for mats as they are not included on many models. The Caliber handles well, but is a bit sluggish accelerating. The front seats have a nice height adjuster and all the storage compartments are nice as well. However if you slide the armrest forward there is little room to use the 2nd cup holder. Overall, Im pleased and would recommend the Caliber. If it lasts as long as the Neon that will be great.

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  Pretty decent little car. - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By BPatches701 - September 5 - 3:09 pm

  Ive got this car a while ago from a private party and after putting a new radiator, transmission filter, and spark plugs in it, I havent had any other promlems other than the odometer doesnt work the a/c needs recharged (takes the r12) and the "high" on the blower switch quit about a month ago. All other speeds work. The gas mileage is pretty bad though. I get around 10 in town and 15 on the highway :(

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  great mini van - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By marti5 - September 3 - 9:15 pm

  I bought my Grand Caravan brand new in 06. I now have 108,000 on it. I have just replaced the radiator and a water pump about 10,000 miles ago. We had to change a sensor out at about 90,000 miles. Other than those things this van has been great. Stow and go seating is awesome. I have never been stranded in this vehicle. You will always have to replace some parts here and there but I know this caravan has many more miles to go.

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  Bought Used, Wrecked Once, Still Keeping - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By redhight - September 2 - 7:00 pm

  1st SUV, 1st Dodge. Tow pkg, 5.9 eng, w/23k miles. Drove everywhere on/offroad, towed trailer, horse, moving van. Lowered the back seats and hauled firewood, hay, camping gear. Rearended a 1-ton p-up 4 yrs ago, got it fixed and shes fine! Loaned it out to friends and family, too. Just under 130k miles now. Needs tie-rod, ball joint, front end align and heater-core replacement. Except for gas mileage woes, virtually no maintenance on this Durango but oil/radiator fluid changes and brakes. Drove at avg. speeds of 65+ After 7 yrs its still going with less than $4k in repairs? Is there a problem? Nope. Will pass it to my daughter when Im done.

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  SXT Anniversary Edition - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By wrmanley - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Great Family Mini Van bought it for my wife and 7 year old daughter. My little one loves watching her DVDs on the way to school. I had heard that there were some quality control issues with the Chrysler products, but I guess we lucked out - perfect so far! We test drove the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna Mini Van because of the rave reviews CR gave them expecting to purchase one, trying to talk ourselves into them, but they were just to plain with a stiff ride and a utilitarian interior. I guess we are just too old and enjoy our creature comforts.

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  2004 Dodge Grand Caravan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Donna706 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this van on January 3rd 2004... I traded a Oldsmobile Silhouette Premier. The Dodge Grand Caravan has a much better ride. They only thing i wish that Dodge would be able to add would be the onstar... I had this in my other van and really miss it. I felt much safer since i have 3 children.