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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  The Truckster - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By kenzen - October 9 - 2:00 am

  This is our first minivan and Ill never be without one in the family. It has the 3.0 V6 and not a problem in 2 years. The transmission shifts a little hard, but no problems with it. It has plenty of power and room although the roof rack could be a bit stronger. Without seats it holds a lot, but getting the seats in and out is no small task they weigh a ton.

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  2001 Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By rockymtndurango - October 9 - 2:00 am

  30,000 miles and its like new. The interior is very comfortable and luxurous. The leather 8 way heated, adjustable seats are very nice, and for long drives - very comfy. Its attractive and well insulated from outside sounds. The sound system is excellent. On the downside - gas mileage is low (although the tank is good size). The back liftgate is too hard to bring down, and for as large as it is, a van would have more room for the family. The dealer experience sucked - worst I ever had.

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  A definite step up - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jeff Majtyka - October 8 - 12:53 pm

  I have three boys under 8 and this is a definite step up from our Ford Taurus. We have so much room and the kids love it. We can go places now that we never could in the car with the 5 of us. I come from a solid Ford family, but Ford could not match what Dodge could offer in the Grand Caravan. Even dad (Me) likes to take it for just running errands and dont feel girly. Ford who??

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  Unreliable minivan - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Greg - October 8 - 2:00 am

  The minivan has great design interior and exterior, but very bad reliability. Every month we need to fix something, begining with minor electrical problems to major transmission problem.

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  Unreliable minivan - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By GREG - October 8 - 2:00 am

  The minivan has great design interior and exterior, but very bad reliability. Every month we need to fix something, begining with minor electrical problems to major transmission problem.

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  1998 Dodge Caravan - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Joel_Tucson - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I like this vehicle. Problems: Needed a new transmission at 60,000 miles, and the air-bag and check engine lights came on at 70,000 the horns dont work A/C leaks a little. Good Things: Fuel economy is good at 20 MPG the 3.0 l V-6 has a lot of pep we have 2 small children and the wife LOVES this vehicle (need I say more)

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  a good fast relible car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Anton - October 8 - 2:00 am

  just buy one it is fast and comfortable and has never yet failed me has huge list of standard features for its price

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  Perfect 10 baby - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By adam - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable, never fails to please me. Never found a surface of road that the tires wouldnt turn over from. Its a real head turner.

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  Great Little car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By NJGUY - October 7 - 2:00 pm

  Ive had the car since February. Handling is excellent, car is just fun to drive. The styling is edgy enough to make it stand out. The inferno red doesnt hurt either. Shortcomings are the rear visibility when backing up, you really have to get used to it. The other thing is I upgraded to the 6 disc nav system, dont do it. You lose the MP3 input and it just really isnt user friendly on the music side. Had I known I would have stuck with the standard radio and CD and bought a Tom Tom. Other than that, the car has been good.

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  Worst Caravan Ever! Stay Away! - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By BostonMurray - October 7 - 4:36 am

  I’ve owned 6 Chryslers over the years. I generally like them. But this is the worst car I have ever owned. Exterior: -VERY POOR Build Quality. Sloppy welds, and poor paint finish. -Rocker Panel is way too wide: Impossible to enter the car without trashing your pants. -Rear air dam VERY cheap plastic:. -It’s UGLY!: Interior: -Dashboard plastic is out of a 1979 dodge Omni. -Dashboard has more seams than a 19th century hoop dress. -Whole car Rattles: -Swivel-n-Go 2nd row seats DON’T RECLINE! -Floor Storage Door flimsy: -2nd Row Video Screen (w/SunRoof) blocks rear view: -Shift Knob will break off in first 6 months: -Sliding Center Console will break in 3 months