Dodge Caliber Review

2008 Dodge Caliber R/T Station Wagon Shown

For better or worse, the Dodge Caliber exemplifies Dodge's affection in recent years for big chunky grilles and massive fender flares. It's also roomy and inexpensive, and it boasts an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). But that's where the good news stops. In most respects, the Caliber is simply not competitive with compact sedans and hatchbacks from Ford and the Japanese and Korean brands.

The high-performance Dodge Caliber SRT4 certainly livens things up with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, no amount of horsepower can mask the Caliber's dynamic and quality-related shortcomings. Tops on that list is the Caliber's bargain-basement plastic interior, which does little to mask the car's economy roots. The Caliber also has an elevated ride height, which is good for visibility but not so much for handling. Although the Caliber has a lot going for it on paper, its overall execution leaves much to be desired. Most rival economy cars offer significantly more quality and appeal.

Current Dodge Caliber

Built on a global platform also used for the Jeep Compass SUV and midsize Dodge Avenger sedan, the tall-bodied Dodge Caliber comes only as a compact hatchback/wagon. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, increasing cargo space to a maximum of 48 cubic feet. The front passenger seat can fold forward to make room for longer items. The Caliber has decent headroom and legroom in the front and back, but it is still a small car built to a price, so don't expect luxurious accommodations.

The Caliber comes in three regular trims -- base SE, SXT and R/T -- along with a high-performance SRT4 variant. The SE is a base model in every sense of the word. It doesn't come with much; air-conditioning and power features are optional. Most shoppers will want to skip over the base SE and look at either the SXT or R/T, both of which come with more standard features and sportier wheels and tires. The Caliber R/T even gets 18-inch wheels and performance tires. In addition, upscale options like leather seats and a navigation system are only available on the Caliber SXT and R/T. The SRT4 gets a turbocharged engine, 19-inch wheels, lowered suspension, upgraded brakes, a performance trip computer and sport seats.

Interior design and build quality are serviceable at best. Dodge doesn't even pretend that this is an upscale vehicle, as hard plastic and questionable build quality are rampant throughout the interior. Compared to the accommodations in vehicles like the Mazda 3, the Caliber's furnishings are several steps behind.

There are four four-cylinder engine choices for the Dodge Caliber. At the bottom of the ladder is a 148-horsepower 1.8-liter inline-4, which comes standard on the base Caliber and the SXT. If you're looking for more power, it's possible to upgrade to a 158-hp 2.0-liter four, which is equipped exclusively with a CVT. The 148-hp 1.8-liter comes with a five-speed manual gearbox only. Buyers looking for a bit more pep will want to take a look at the Caliber R/T, which gets a 172-hp 2.4-liter engine. The SRT4 boasts a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 285 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed manual being the only available transmission.

In road tests, our editors have found the Dodge Caliber to be an adequate daily driver, though not much more than that. The ride is comfortable without feeling too soft, but our impressions of the Caliber were colored by the overall lack of quality and class in the interior, not to mention the ho-hum driving dynamics. Moreover, the CVT isn't properly programmed to match the 2.0-liter engine's power band. The front-wheel-drive Caliber R/T with the manual gearbox is likely the pick of the litter, unless the high-performance SRT4 edition appeals. For those attracted to the turbocharged Caliber, we've found it underwhelming and overpriced compared to other affordable, high-horsepower hatchbacks, as well as burdened by excessive weight and an abundance of torque steer.

Used Dodge Caliber Models

The Dodge Caliber debuted in 2006 as a 2007 model. The SRT4 debuted for 2008. All-wheel drive was available on the R/T model until 2009. This was also the year that the Caliber received its available hard-drive-based music and navigation systems.

SELECT A SPECIFIC DODGE CALIBER MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.