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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  Best car ever. - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By andreamoo - January 5 - 4:10 am

  I did not want to buy a minivan. But in 2004 I bought a 2003 with 11K on it for $11K. This car has been fantastic. It took us through the western states camping. It moved us from one house to another. It has hauled carpool kids, craigslist finds, saddles, hay, dogs, beds and building materials. It averaged 29 mpg when we first got it on the highway, it now gets a solid 21 city/hiway. It broke down once in its 150K miles-the main computer glitched. That was not a pretty $500 but nothing since except standard maintenance. Even though it is no longer shiny and new, our current crop of carpool kids still like it best. I walk by it and pat it sometimes like a good pony.

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  Best Caravan Yet - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Happy Caravan - January 1 - 12:03 pm

  This is my third Dodge Caravan (88, 93, 03) and I have been VERY please so far. I have my latest Caravan for 2.5 years and have zero mechanical problems. The ONLY issue that I have had with this vehicle is that the assemply plant missed the welds that join the roof sheet metal to the posts behind the front door (both sides). The body shop manager at the dealer said that he had NEVER seen that before, so hopefully, it was an isolated incident. Dealer fixed it for free and it has not been an issue.

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  Very Happy - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Craig - December 29 - 7:56 am

  The ride with the appearance group/sports suspension is so smooth and quiet. The engine seems well mated with the six speed auto and once again is very quiet. I also like the drivers seat. I have manual lumbar, power adjusting seat, tilt telescoping steering wheel. The adjustments are almost endless.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By osancc71 - December 28 - 6:03 am

  After owning 3 trucks in a row I was ready for better gas mileage! My wife drives a 2005 Magnum SXT so I knew what to expect with the Charger. Truth is I actually like the Charger a lot more than our Magnum. I am always getting compliments on the car and the ride is great. I am very impressed so far from the whole experience.

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  Interior needs help. Too plain - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By jerry thomas - December 28 - 12:30 am

  A great running car. The gas mileage in town is a little weak. The interior is cheap looking. It should have some wood or something to spiff it up. The ride is a little stiff. It makes the CD jump when you hit a small bump.

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  Buy One Youl love it - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By steve - December 27 - 7:13 pm

  This mid sized car is awsome to drive. Looks great and rides great. The R/T awd is the way to go when youre going somewhere. Had many,many compliments on the color, factory ad ons, great car

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  Great car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By rkt wgn - December 26 - 5:00 am

  I love this car. Around town, I get 16 mpg all the time, and on the highway, I got 23.3 the last time I had it on a trip. I really like the power, ride, room, just about everything about it. I need to go by a dealer as I have just started getting a vibration, like running over a washboard, when backing around a corner while it is cold, in the morning. Seems like a positraction problem, like my old Corvette had. Fixed with a can of special oil. Overall, I love it.

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  First Van - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mcvallin - December 25 - 9:56 am

  Havent had this van for 48 hours, so base your interpretation upon that...so far, through test driving and rec driving, it is perfect. The 3.3 L V6 is more than enough for normal driving conditions. We got the base model with an upgrade, so we dont have the navigation, dvd, etc. and the van still seems to provide for the family with normal needs. Build, appearance, and performance have all seemed to be adequate. If you want supperior options, buy a chrysler aspen or an escalade. But how it seems to me so far, for the reasonable family with a budget, this is the best you can get.

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  GET ALL THE OPTIONS INCLUDING THE HEMI - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By DAYCAREMOM24 - December 24 - 12:16 pm

  Were previous Durango owners but the 05 Limited Hemi is a complete turnaround from the 03 we owned. Its comfortable, its roomy, the DVD is a must have. The Navigation is awesome, the Sirius Satelite is great, and Dodge even pays for the 1st year! The Hemi is AWD. We have all of the options and dont regret it one bit. It rides smooth, handles great, looks sharp and WE LOVE IT! The gas mileage is ok being a previous V-8 owner. THe Hemi definetly adds a little more pizazz to the enitre package. Its fast and responsive on an open highway! We love it!! There are many more options, too many to name but all in all... WE HAVE THEM ALL!!! AND WE LOVE IT!!

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  Great Van - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JEM - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This has been one great van. Its starting to get up in age now but every time I look at replacing it I change my mind. Ive driven the new vans from Nissan, Toyota and Honda, and they still dont come close to the ride, handling, and confort of my G.C. I Love my G.C.