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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  excellent - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By keyla - March 19 - 2:00 am

  this is my second dodge and I love it!

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  Senior rating - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By carole61 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  4th Dodge Caravan and cannot beat price/performance

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  Love it!!! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Kristen M. - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had it for about a week and ive already fallen in love with it.With two small children the double doors are a must, and with the incentives (plus i get an employee discount) we couldnt pass it up. Three other people in my family drive this and they all love it!

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  The best van one can have! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tsmom98 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy everyday getting into my minivan. It is reliable, comfortable, and it looks good. I truly believe that out of all the vans on the market today, the Dodge Caravan is the best!

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  2004 dodge Caravan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rhonda Ward - March 19 - 2:00 am

  When I first looked at Caravans. I seen them as Lemons. But Now that I have Driven and own one. I would not drive anything else. I love my van. It has everything we need for a family. It has many extra features that you can purchase to add to its already beauty. We have already reccommed dodge caravans to our famly members and now we have family who purchased them also. We are now looking at the Dodge 2005 caravans. hey are spectacular. We will definetely upgrade when they come out.I have driven a ford Windstar for a short period of time. Ugg! I felt like I was driving an old fashion caravan. Not my style. Nothing about it excited me.

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  WE LOVE OUR VAN - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By RON WILLS - March 19 - 2:00 am

  WE LOVE OUR GRAND CARAVAN. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A PICKUP, BUT WE LOVE OUR CARAVAN SO MUCH THAT THIS IS MY LAST PICKUP. AS I HAVE DRIVEN OVER A MILLION MILES, I CAN SAY THIS VAN DRIVES THE BEST OF ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. IT RIDES LIKE A CAR BUT HAS CARRYING CAPACITY OF A PICKUP. IT IS ROCK-SOLID IN CROSSWIND SITUATIONS. IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATIONS-SOLID.

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  The Grand Caravan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By alexisthemom - March 19 - 2:00 am

  It is the best purchase I have ever made.

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  Dodge Caravan 03 - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By vmbush - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my all wheel drive caravan. The performance on snow is great. I have had caravans before but this is the first all wheel drive. Cant say enough about it.

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  jays van - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jfhfdtyrhfh - March 19 - 2:00 am

  great all around fun

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  I love my van - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By c4given - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I used to collect evidence for the District Attorneys office and had to respond to various police depts, crime scenes, and hospitals on a stat basis. I was blessed to have my mini-van because it never let me down. I was in it up to 14 hours a day at times. It took a beating also, and still looks and feels brand new. I love it and would buy another one in a heartbeat!!!