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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  Wouldnt have anythig else, - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By RHoyt - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is our second van, it now has 165,000 miles on it and is going strong travelling to our daughters universities in Georgia and Wisconsin. It has gotten our girls through high school and now college sports, and transported their belongings(including large wooden couches) for their apartments. I cant imagine being without one. I can remove the middle seats easily by myself. I can take out the back seat, but prefer help carrying it. I would not consider any other brand. I was rearended on a freeway. Our van needed the bumper replaced, the other car was completely totalled. I was unhurt.

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  Anniversary Edition - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Mercymelms - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This van is fun, seems reliable, has new updated features, very smooth ride. The bad: drivers seat sits further up than in the 99 version that I owned,and it isless comfortable. Uncomfortable arms stretch to drive/ parking brake too far down/ cant release it w/o undoing my seatbelt/ straining my back /hamstring. Why change? Body style not flattering as the 99. leather seats are nice, but lost under the seat storage, split bench does not lay down. I do really like the van, but change isnt always good. Overall it is growing on me and I rate it a flat 8.5

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  Its Just The Best One Out There! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SRT Thats Me - March 19 - 2:00 am

  You have to drive one to appriciate it! After all you are but from the inovators of the Minivan world not to mention they have out sold all the competitors combined!!

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  Love my Dodge - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hhill39 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Have only had it a couple of weeks , moved up from a Dodge Caravan. The extra room , Leather Seats ,Electronics and 3 zone heating system are all we hoped it would be . We are very happy with our new Grand Caravan .

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  I LOVE MY VAN - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By TIA - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I can say one thing. I will always buy a Dodge Minivan. My sons are growing up and soon I wont even need one but I will still have it. It drives better than any car I have owned. There is ample room for 7 people. Anytime, anywhere I know it will start and get me where I need to be.

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  Wouldnt have anything else! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lovell - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We have used Dodge Caravans for our business for almost 10 years...and we wouldnt have anything else. I keep them until they have about 150,000 miles on them and have never had any major problems. I do a lot of driving (200 miles per day minimum) & a lot of that is in bad winter conditions. The Dodge Caravan has always been great even the bitter Northern Michigan winters. Its easy to drive, a joy to maintain and more reliable than any other vehicle Ive owned. When I retire and sell my business, Im 99.9% sure that my personal vehicle will be another Dodge Grand Caravan. Keep up the good work!!

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  our minvan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By spudman - March 19 - 2:00 am

  its a great ride and great value

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  dodge caravan sport - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By gentry51 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  this van is great. I will deffinately buy another one in the future.

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  great van - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By stamp - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Dodge van that we have owned. It has the quad seats, a must and the split rear seat. With two small kids the seats help alot....Radeo controls on stearing wheel also help with not takeing you eys off the road.. auto rear doors take some getting use to but seem to be reliable and a good choice.....Good luck

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  My office on the road - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By MarcyAnn - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, with many uses. Its my office, my taxi, my way of hauling goods all over the place, we travel with it. So many uses. The only problem I have had with it is the seals around the sliding doors and back lift has out and I had to take it in to be re-glued a couple times. This vehicle handles great in snow and I need that in Cleveland winters. The traction control is wonderful