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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  Not as good as 2001 Model - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By JOE Q - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a new 2003 and traded in a 2001. Both were SE vans. The 2003 seems to be of lower quality and some of the nice features of the 2001 were removed/no availible in the 2003 model. For instance, 2001 van had external key locks on the back sliders whereas 2003 does not. 2001 SE had a locking drawer under the passenger side seat, 2003 does not. Seats in the 2003 van do not seem as well made and the 2003 van seems more noisy than the 2001. Seems dodge chose to cut corners on the 2003 model to keep the price low. I cant help but wonder what other corners were cut in the building of this van.

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  Excelent Wagon for the whole family. - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Terilee - September 1 - 12:00 pm

  The Dodge Magnum presents a radical shift for the Dodge line. Style and functionality mix to provide an outstanding people friendly wagon with style. This class of cars has recently been showing its age. The Magnum breaks this mold and produces a handsome car with excitement and curb appeal. Unheard of just a year ago. The All Wheel Drive is excellent in snow and when mated with the Hemi engine Shows none of the customary reluctance of 4- wheel drive systems. Wonderful!

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  Best Full Size Family Van - 1996 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Marine 1 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This was my second Dodge family Van. The first was a 1980 model, 250 3/4 ton, we had it for 10 years. Never let us down, exceptional utility, good gas mileage, prone to body rust. 1996 SLT (Luxury) 2500 model 3/4 ton, has firm good handling suspension,(1500 1/2 too soft-wallows) 5.2L Magnum V8 AWESOME! 4 speed Torqueflite transmission, 3.55 ratio HD rear axle. 50,000 mile average fuel economy 15.6 Roomy, good looking vehicle, easy driver, great visibility, no mechanical/electrical problems, simple service, No rust. Many 24hr. trips Mass. to Fla.

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  Peoplemover - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By sport - September 1 - 7:10 am

  Traded in a 14 year old Nissan pickup. Fair purchase price, Terrible current resale value. A money loser. First year of ownership: New Windshield, drive shaft, battery, fender protector. Trip to dealer every 3000mi. for O/L/F brought out an uncalled for need of a very expensive repair to be had. A come on. Good room for a big load. Never going to buy another Dodge.

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  Love this Van - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By CMCNamara - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th dodge caravan. They just keep getting better. This van is an excellent family van. Plenty of room. Very accomodating when buying something large. No problem getting it home.

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  Nice car, but milage stinks - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By redpony - September 1 - 2:00 am

  The fuel milage is awful. We started out getting 22.7 in town, but the milage has fallen with each suceeding fill up to 16.5. We can only get 25 on the highway. Also on days with a temps over 115 the idle is erratic. The car will almost stall coming a stop. On one very hot 126 degree day the idle jumped to 2000 rpms causing the car to lurch forward almost causing an accident. The dealer can find nothing wrong and says that the Chrysler Eng. Dept. claims this is normal for all Chrysler 4 cyl. engines in hot weather. Chrysler Corp. wont help so I have filed a complaint with the NTSA regarding the sudden engine acceleration problem.

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  Full size truck, compact price - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By sandman4x4fun - August 31 - 2:00 am

  This truck can work, ive pulled trailers hundreds of miles, whit 4,00 to 5,000 lbs. no problem. Plenty of power fo a 6 cyl 5speed 4x4. Gas milage respectable.When playing, driving on the beach mud hikks anything it just flat out goes, and ride great also.

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  02 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab - 2wd - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Deccapi - August 31 - 2:00 am

  This has been a good truck so far. The only complaint is gas consumption.

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  Dodge Got it Right This Time - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By chevylover - August 30 - 4:20 pm

  I looked at a lot of cars before I bought this Avenger, and I must say Im glad I waited for this car. The car is excellent in the city and on the highway. My R/T is loaded with every available option and I think this car will be a classic. Thumbs up to the Dodge Avenger designers.

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  My covered wagon - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jay - August 30 - 3:30 pm

  Even though I had to replace the transmission at about 117K miles, Ive not regretted buying this vehicle at all. It is my pick-up truck with a permanent cover on the back. I can put 10 ft. boards in here and close the back door. Same thing is true with 8x4 plywood which lays flat. The back seats are very rarely in the vehicle as I use it as a truck most of the time. WARNING!! That intermittent dashboard (gauges, ligt, etc.) is NOT a computer problem. The solder connections on the back of the instruments panel are whats causing the problem. I re-soldered mine at about 108K and they have been solid ever since. I love my van/truck/covered wagon!!