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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  2003 Dodge Caravan SE - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Dashiki - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth van built by Chrysler. I purchased each one new and have enjoyed driving them. My new 2003 Caravan SE to replaces the 2000 model I had. This van is wonderful for making long distance trips and for transporting my small family members.

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  QUAD CAB PLEASURE - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By HANK - September 25 - 2:00 am

  MY DAKOTA SLT QUAD CAB IS LOADED WITH ALL ANYONE WOULD WANT IN A SUV, LET ALONE A TRUCK. IT RIDES LIKE A CAR WITH THE GREAT VIEW AND COMFORT OF THE DRIVERS 6 WAY POWER SEAT. I HAVE THE 5.9 LITER ENGINE AND I AM GETTING MUCH BETTER MILEAGE THAN THE REPORTS SAY, 16 CITY AND 20 HIGHWAY. I FIND NO FAULT AT ALL WITH THOSE NUMBERS FOR THE ABILITY TO TOW LIKE I CAN. IT IS ROOMY AND THE LEATHER BUCKET SEATS MAKE IT EVEN MORE A PLEASURE TO RIDE IN DURING A LONG TRIP. DODGE HAS A GEM IN THE DAKOTA AND IT SHOWS. I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH MY DODGE QUAD CAB AND IT IS ALL I EXPECTED AND MORE.

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  Viper boy - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Lucas Gabriel - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this model of the Viper, I think its the best car Ive ever drove. It is a top of the line car.

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  Great Van - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Lady - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Cool looking sports van Drives really nice

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  THE BEST !!!!!!! - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By TYNESHA - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I RECENTLY PURCHASED A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, AND I LOVE IT TO DEATH. MY KIDS LOVE IT ALSO. I HAVE THREE BOYS, AND THE TV/DVD PLAYER IS EXCELLENT! THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VAN IS GREAT ALSO. I THOUGHT I WOULD LOOK OLDER DRIVING THE VAN, BUT IT IS NICE AND SPORTY. I STILL FEEL YOUNG. MY HUSBAND LOVES TO DRIVE IT ALSO. WE ALMOST FIGHT ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO DRIVE.

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  great - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By fm - September 23 - 2:00 am

  its hot hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiii iiii iiiiii iiii i i i i i i i i i i i ii ii

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  great car - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Douggie fresh - September 22 - 2:00 am

  funnest and nicest lokking car i have ever driven

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  Dynamo Dodge - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By peteram360 - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This car has been our family work horse for 6 years and 240,000 miles. Other than routine maint. can only recall having to replace a couple fuel pumps, oxygen sensor and valve seals. Not too much to ask for a car I feel looks and drives better than anything else in its class. All I can say is thank you Dodge, youve had some great products! And God Bless America!

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  I love my Magnum! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Cristina - September 20 - 6:26 pm

  The interior space is what sold this vehicle to my husband. I was interested in purchasing a new Sable Wagon a couple years back, and all I can say... "I am glad I waited!". This wagon has just about every feature I want and need. We are definitely looking forward to what the future models improve, but for our very first brand new vehicle, I could not be happier. While the gas mileage is not exactly the best, I gladly give that up for the safeness my family and I feel inside this wagon. It handles nicely and turns easily for such a long vehicle. And while some reports I read "complained" about the smaller size of the rear window, it seems quite adequate and we have had no issues.

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  dodge intrepid - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By georgeh. - September 20 - 2:00 am

  great car - plenty of room for four adults and then some - smooth ride-handles easy - good on gas (19/24) - maintenance has been routine and minimal - good old fashion big detroit car with style and all the extras - even my teenagers love to drive it. im a sales mgr. and on the road all day , many over night trips and the car is comfortable and performs well