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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  20th Anniversary - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Marchese - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Execellent value for the van. The best of the best. DaimlerChrysler has got the minivan wrapped up!

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  srt4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By DrQ - August 8 - 2:00 am

  dopest car ever! so fast for so cheap, you cant find a cooler car in the market for this kind of money, or even 5k more!

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  Mighty Blue Dodge - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Mighty Blue Dodge - August 7 - 10:00 am

  My old 1993 Dodge Dakota was killed by a lady turning into a coffee shop. Although it had no airbags I walked away after a 35 mph crash (seatbelts are good). I replaced the old 93 4x2 sport with a 01 4x4 sport. Other than a couple of minor squeaks which the dealership fixed up for me Ive enjoyed it immensely.

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  Dakota - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By william - August 7 - 7:56 am

  I love this truck. Its comfortable. Its also the most aggressive looking midsized/mini truck out there. I love it.

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  Great handling - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By docdocmurdoc - August 7 - 3:50 am

  I have had this car for about 3000 miles now. I love it. The 3.5 HO V-6 is great. It has fast take off speed. I can take 90 degree corners at almost 50 mph. The leather is comfortable, the interior led lights look nice. So far I dont like my mpg, but I am still beating on the car. I average 27mpg with cruise on the free-way. It city is where I need the help. I am a little hard on it, so I am getting close to 11mpg. I will lighten up in time. So far everything is well up to my expectations. I have the RT loaded except for the navigation. Very pleased with this car.

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  05 Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By G H - August 6 - 6:55 pm

  We own a 2000 Durango and really like it. The 2005 is totally redesigned and so much improved. The ride, handling and performance is excellent. I would like to see a voltmeter on the instrument panel. The exterior takes some getting used to, but does grow on you. The best part is the looks do separate it from the rest. The fuel mileage is not great, but about what I expected.

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  The #1 Minivan In america - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By baron - August 6 - 3:15 pm

  The Dodge Caravan is a reliable minivan. Its the best selling in America. Every time it comes out with an idea, its copied by another company like stow,n,go.The Honda Oddesey may be a good vehicle but it dosent sell like a Caravan does. Dodge invented the minivan, so why does Honda or Toyota think they can make a better minivan. Whenever the fifth generation of Caravan comes out its gonna get the whole public. They dont know what dodge has up its sleeves.

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  A Great Deal For the Money - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Robert - August 5 - 11:09 pm

  I test drove a new 1997 Caravan, was unimpressed for $23K, and bought a used 1994. This time I drove a much nicer, fancier 2005 Caravan and for $20K took it home. Thank you employee pricing! No stow and go on my short model, but no big deal. The six speaker package puts out some excellent sound. Seats are comfortable, yet dont weigh much. Superb handling, solid acceleration, great brakes (unlike my Quest). Ill reserve mileage judgement until its broken in. I wasnt looking for a DVD but to put a cherry on the top of this deal it had one. But then came the single downer, although the manual doesnt say so, the "basic" DVD system has no headphone capability! Be sure you can live with this.

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  I love it! - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Adrian - August 4 - 12:13 pm

  We bought our minivan about a month ago and everyone loves it! My wife wanted the Odyssey but after trying the swivel chairs, she started to get excited about it.

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  Good truck for me - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Joe - August 3 - 1:29 pm

  This is my first SUV and I am very pleased with the performance, handling, and looks of the vehicle. Although I am skeptical from reading other reviews, I have had no problems with the vehicle. I purchased a 24 foot enclosed race car trailer (with stabalizing bars and sway bar control) and have had no problem with towing power, weight of 7300lbs. My only complaint is the narrowness of the vehicle. Even with adding extended mirrors it is difficult to see around the trailer. Due other reviews in Edmunds, I opted to buy the full extended service warranty. Looked at an 05 Expedition and my Durango had more interior cargo length (not width) and was easier to load.