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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  2004 Durango Limited - Great SUV for the money - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Tom Herd - October 1 - 2:32 pm

  My Durango is now 14 years down the road - still in great condition - except small area of rust on drivers side rear wheel well, and Ive seen this on a number 2004 Durangos - could be a minor defect in water deflection, directing it to that specific area. Overall - a great vehicle - great in snow or rain, comfortable on long drives and reliable

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  ANNIVERSARY EDITION - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ANGELA - September 28 - 10:00 am

  THE CAR IS AWESOME TO LOOK AT. HAS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES I WANTED IN THE LIMITED CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. MY KIDS ARE THRILLED WITH THE DVD AND 6 DISC CHANGER. A BEAUTIFUL CAR WITH NICE RIMS TO MATCH. A GOOD PRICE ON THIS CAR.

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  Nitro is Rightro! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By NitroBilly - September 28 - 12:46 am

  I try not to drive my Nitro everyday, but I cant help it to be honest. It has enough power to keep me interested, but could use a little more. Handling is smooth, a guy comes up on my tail with a *cough* GMC Envoy, and thats all he got to look at.. my tail! I had the Nitro going around a 30 mile hr curve at 45! But I also have those 20 inchers!

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  HOT HOT HOT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By subsite - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Im 39 And I Have To say Dodge is Still King Of the Muscle cars what a Bang for your buck at 20,000 grand and to think with just a little tweeking and peeking you can make it go even faster

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  I love this car!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By jerseygirl - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Ok, I had a 1994 Dodge Shadow 5sp for 10 years....at 238,000 miles, it was done. Without even driving this car, I bought it and drove it home. IT IS A GREAT RIDE!!!!!! And the turbo lets you accelerate when you need to. It is a great car, safe, tight, fun. I just bought the car a month ago, not 2003.

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  Fun Minivan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By pingpong - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Minivan is fun to drive. Powerful motor, good looks, and plenty of space. Looked at all types and makes of minivans and this is the best out there!

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  Cornering Plus Peppy - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By M.G.M.Jr. - September 16 - 2:00 am

  2.4L passes flawlessly! This car is light and nimble, and holds the road while it straightens out curves The Dodge Stratus is roomy, and has good visability. Contols are easy to reach and use. Climate control is exclt! A/C actually cools the car in full sun, and doesnt bogg the car down on hills or hvy accl. sound sys is crisp and clean, plays all cd formats. My Stratus came with 16" Alloy whls, grt stability. I drive 55 miles ea way to work, and the Stratus performs excellent in the MPG dept 34hwy/23cty I drive a bit faster than most. I now have 22,000 miles on it and no Problems what so ever. The Stratus handles Snow and Ice filled roads Like a Pro

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  Amazing Wagon - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Fennec - September 13 - 2:13 am

  Wow ! I never thought I would see station wagons come back, and certainly not like this. The styling, the handling, the power; all amazing. I got the SXT with AWD and it really handles so wonderfully, youd think you were driving the Daimler car that they took the 3.5L engine out of - the ride, the feel, the overall quality of this Dodge is more than the sum of its parts.

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  love my dodge grand caravan - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By firemom - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I love it the extended back with the sliding seat is so handy. Small enough to park and handle but large enough for shopping and kids or vacation stuff and family.the engine is reliable has pick up but not too bad on gas.never have had a problem

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  Pocket Rocket - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Dave Webber - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Car is just plain FUN to drive. Lots of HP back up by decent handling.