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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  Love my Grand Caravan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By IrishEileen - March 19 - 2:00 am

  good performance, incredible comfort, a lot like carrying your living room around with you!

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  wonderful van! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodsons294 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Our family loves our new Dodge Grand Caravan. We take lots of long distance trips and it fits our lifestyle perfectly. Highly recommended!

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  Get a van! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Van V/ - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought a new 1996 Dodge Caravan and had it for 6 years and traveled and camped with it all over the USA. It was wonderful. So we bought a new 2002 Chrysler van after selling the Dodge van to our daughter and she loves it! They haul their pets, shrubbery, small trees in it and everything. The only drawback is you have to store the seats, and they dont fold down; but roomy it is. We dont see why people buy SUVs when they could have a minivan with a lot more space.

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  Excellent family vehicle - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tonyagrace - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We absolutly love this CAR-avan! As a mother of 3 life is somewhat easier with all of the space and remote control doors and liftgate! The DVD player comes in handy on trips that are longer than one hour - our rule. Last week I (52) took out the 2 back seats and 1 middle seat and went to the floor store to pick up 13 cartons of hardwood flooring! I cant imagine driving anything else! I will always buy a Dodge!

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  Love it! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By rexcalv - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I had been driving a Ford Aerostar for nine years. I went to Dodge first and was so impressed. Then I went and drove a Windstar--there was no comparison. It is as if Ford doesnt care about quality or the competition. But I do. I chose the Dodge.

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  Buy It! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By walthw - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Great! Cant think of a thing to improve! family loves it and so do I!!!

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  Morochos Vans - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By morochos - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Grand Caravan in 2002 (I have 5 children) and when it was turn to buy my wife a new car, she decided she wanted another Grand Caravan for herself because it was very comfortable and reliable.

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  The best car I ever owed - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ReginaFl - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Before I consider buying this car, I went through all the SUVs and none of them compared to the Grand Caravan. I never owed a mini van before, I had an SUV and wanted something big enough for my family (3kids) but at the same time comfortable and stylish, as well very reliable. It drives like a luxury car but is big like a van and the comfort is absolutely the best! I dont even look at other cars on the road anymore! I made a wonderful choice! The price paid is worthy!

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  Grand Caraven Review - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Scott Kerr - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Dodge Grand Caravan and it performs as well as my 1996 model. You just cant beat the comfort and usefulness of this vehicle. Ill be getting another one in six or seven years.

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  Great Vehicle! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By RisaRoo - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I vowed Id never buy a minivan; after my lease was up on my SUV we decided to purchase a minivan; I fell in love with the Dodge Grand Caravan. My biggest love was that i had to get to an appt in the middle of a blizzard. It was at least 4 of snow on the ground and this vehicle was very heavy and i didnt slip or slid AT ALL! It gripped the ground unbelieveable and it completely sold me that day!!!!