Dodge Caliber is affordable, has fuel-efficient style
San Antonio Express News
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Despite the tough past few months that Chrysler — and most other automakers, as well — have endured, there are some bright spots in the lineup of this important member of the U.S. Big Three automakers.
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The Dodge Caliber has been a bright spot in the Chrysler lineup since its debut in 2007. It has impressive EPA ratings, which go as high as 24 miles per gallon city/30 highway with the base 148-horsepower engine.
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Among them is the Dodge Caliber, a stylish, small, fuel-efficient hatchback model that has sold well since it arrived for 2007 and that saw its sales hold up well last year as gasoline prices spiked to above the $4 mark.
Besides its impressive EPA ratings — which go as high as 24 miles per gallon city/30 highway with the base 148-horsepower engine — the Caliber has lots of other great attributes, including its cool styling and versatility.
Even in its third year on the market, the Caliber turns heads wherever it goes.
The Caliber replaced the Neon compact sedan in the Dodge lineup. But it wasn’t a direct replacement because there never was a Neon wagon, and this new car has absolutely nothing in common with the Neon.
Besides the great fuel economy, the Caliber has an affordable starting price — $16,460 (plus $630 freight) for the base SE model, bringing a vehicle with lots of standard equipment, not a stripped-down version that nobody would want.
Next up the ladder is the SXT model, which begins at $17,850 and comes even better-equipped, although still with the 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine.
For this report, though, we tested the sporty R/T model, which has a base price of $20,295 (plus freight) and features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 172 horsepower.
Even more zip is available for enthusiasts, however — with the Caliber SRT4, which begins at $24,840 and comes with a whopping 285 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder.
It can go from zero to 60 mph in just under six seconds.
While the SE and SXT are the Caliber models most consumers will choose, the R/T offers a much sportier package without jumping the price quite as much as the SRT4 model does. It does give up some of the Caliber’s fuel efficiency, but it’s more fun to drive.
If you’re on a tight budget, though, the SE is a great buy. At the $16,460 price, it comes with a five-speed manual gearbox; the continuously variable automatic is $1,000 extra. Air conditioning is included with the SE, but you’ll have to crank your own windows and manually lock the doors for that price.
Beyond its good looks, the Caliber offers a roomy and comfortable interior. The materials and finish are better than usual for a car this price.
A Jeep version of this vehicle, the Compass, also is offered, but it comes only with the 172-horsepower engine and begins at $18,465 (plus freight). While all-wheel drive is offered on the Compass, Chrysler has discontinued that option for the Caliber. Also built on the chassis of the Caliber and Compass is the Jeep Patriot. But it looks like a traditional SUV and is offered in an off-road version.
Our R/T tester came with the optional Auto Stick continuously variable automatic transmission ($1,075), which allows for manual shifting (without a clutch, of course). With the automatic, EPA ratings for the R/T are 21 mpg city/25 highway; with the manual, they’re 23 city/29 highway. The SRT4 model comes with a six-speed manual and EPA ratings of 19/27.
The smaller engine on the SE and SXT models is rated at 24 city/30 highway with the manual and 23/29 with the automatic.
Also available on the SE and SXT models is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower ($150), but it is offered only with the continuously variable automatic transmission. EPA ratings are 23/27.
The five-door Caliber has an abundance of features designed to appeal to young people. With the rear seat in place, it can carry up to five passengers. The rear seat folds flat for easy cargo hauling, and an optional folding front passenger seat can be used as a workspace, such as to hold a laptop computer.
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