Review: Dodge Caliber R/T

By Chris Jackson – MyCarData

Let’s get one unpleasant fact out of the way right at the start; the Dodge Caliber is not the darling of many automotive enthusiasts. The Caliber came along in 2007 to replace the Dodge Neon, and though it’s a slightly larger, much more useful and arguably a better vehicle, it hasn’t exactly lit the automotive world on fire.

The Caliber’s five-door hatchback body style is a versatile setup that puts it head-to-head with enthusiast darlings like the Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf, and tepid performance from the base engine doesn’t match up. Dodge wasted no time in getting aggressive R/T and SRT4 models onto the streets, but for some reason the Caliber still hasn’t caught on in a big way. So what’s the matter with the Caliber, then?

Well, it certainly lacks manners. The Caliber and I didn’t get off to a good start; the first time I slid into the driver’s seat, the lower edge of the dash caught my knee a painful blow that left me limping for an hour afterward. Things didn’t get much better from there; the ungrateful little orange beast whacked my knee four more times during its time with me. Once inside, the Caliber sports a high seating position for a good view of the road; just be careful getting in.

This car is decently put together, but the interior materials are low-rent. As if trying to make a cynical statement about its position in the market, cheap gray plastic adorns the interior in large, flat swathes that emulate the style of larger Dodge vehicles but have the feel of a bad designer knockoff. That said, the Caliber has a number of good points. The seats are comfortable enough and there’s rear-seat room for three across. In the center console, a folding holder carries cell phone or MP3 players out of sight. The trunk can swallow up to 48 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded, and there’s a removable light back there for emergencies as well. The glovebox “Chill Zone,” a micro-cooler that holds up to four bottles of water or soda cans, is pure genius. A 115-volt plug that will power laptops and other small electrical devices, the UConnect tunes system with at 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing music, and fold-down speakers in the tailgate are cool add-ons that are standard in the Caliber R/T. The R/T gets cool color-matched seats (orange in our car’s case) and it looks good.

Don’t let the R/T in the name fool you though; the Caliber’s acceleration is leisurely at best. Three engine choices are offered in the Caliber lineup: a 148-horsepower 1.8 liter four-cylinder, a 158-horse 2.0 liter, and the 172-horsepower 2.4 liter that’s offered in the Caliber R/T. The standard continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn’t help, often letting the Caliber down when it was time for acceleration. In the R/T, the CVT has an “Auto Stick” feature that allows manual selection of up to six gear ratios. It’s an effective way to simulate a conventional transmission, but performance is still somewhat lackadaisical. The benefits include improved fuel economy, but merging and passing are not this car’s strong points, and if you’re hoping for performance the SRT4 is probably your only option. Driven like an economy car, the Caliber’s performance feels mid-pack.

With a fully independent suspension consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear, the Caliber has average handling. The available Electronic Stability Program provides a measure of bad-weather safety with traction control; anti-lock brakes are standard on the R/T and optional on other models. A high beltline and slab sides make it feel larger than it is. Steering feel is acceptable.

If nothing else, the Caliber looks good. Dodge’s burly styling gives the Caliber good curb presence, and the unique five-door silhouette is handsome. The standard oversized crosshair grille leads into a slab-sided, muscular body. The greenhouse drops toward the rear of the car, giving the Caliber a coupe-like silhouette. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on the R/T.

It’s a clever and capable enough companion, but the Caliber remains somewhat rough around the edges. If you’re in love with the armored-truck looks and unique interior features, the Caliber won’t let you down, but for the money, we prefer the Suzuki SX4 or Kia Rondo. Caliber pricing starts at $17,090, with the better-equipped R/T stickering for $20,925.