2007 Dodge Caliber Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Caliber patterned its chunky grille and styling after the Magnum station wagon, Durango SUV, and Caravan minivan. It's a bold and imaginative design. Thick bumpers, swelling fenders, a tall roof, and a sloping hatch are most fetching with the R/T trim's polished chrome 18-inch alloy wheels. The base SE’s standard 15s and SXT trim’s 17s are unimpressive. The blackout trim surrounding the rear hatch glass that extends upward along the roof performs a visual trick to make the roofline appear lower and more coupe-like than it is. Overall, though, the Caliber is not a handsome thing.

The Caliber's interior might be one of the world's worst places to sit. Brittle, hard, and sharp plastics line every insert and surface, and it doesn't matter if you choose the cheapest or most expensive Caliber—which costs nearly 25 grand in Canada. The fit and finish are poor. The black on white gauges look good, as do the silver-painted climate controls and the silver centre stack. But compared to rivals from Ford and Mazda, Dodge appears to have cut corners everywhere it could.

Three engines are available. The base model and the midlevel SXT have a 1.8-litre four-cylinder with power specs of 148 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. They pair with a five-speed manual transmission in this standard powertrain, which is superior to the laggy, noisy behaviour from the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that comes with the 2.0-litre engine, an option on either trim. That engine delivers 158 hp and 141 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the only drivetrain choice unless you find an R/T, which brings optional all-wheel drive (AWD), a CVT, and a 2.4-litre version of that four-cylinder, good for 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. Every Caliber but the R/T feels slow, in part because it's a heavier car than sedan and hatch rivals with similar engine output. Handling is also poor considering the Caliber's small size, with low grip and languid steering response. The R/T is better, as it comes with a stiffer suspension and larger tires. You won't feel the refined ride of a Ford Focus. Road noise pours into the cabin.

Fuel economy is rated from 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.8 on the highway for the smaller 1.8-litre engine and the manual transmission, while the 2.0-litre and CVT provide figures of 9.0 L/100 km city, 7.3 highway. The AWD R/T with the 2.4-litre engine burns 10.1 L/100 km city, 8.4 highway.

There are some unique innovations to an otherwise shabby interior. A "Chill Zone" on the passenger-side dashboard opens up a second glove box-sized bin that’s air-conditioned and large enough for four 20-ounce bottles. The front passenger seat can fold down. Out back is a rechargeable flashlight that stows in the roof.

But the Caliber isn't as roomy as it appears. The sloping roof and high seating position limit headroom for rear passengers, and their legroom is sparse. The doors don't open wide enough, as those large fenders block ingress. The steering wheel does not telescope. At least the front seats are supportive and the controls are simple to operate from the driver’s seat. Cargo space beneath the liftgate is good, however, at 525 litres or 1,359 litres with the rear seats folded. A trailering package adds wiring and an engine oil cooler, but no hitch.

The 2007 Caliber has a base price of $15,995 in Canada for the SE, and it increases to $24,195 for the Caliber R/T AWD, before options. Given the poor-quality interior, awkward styling, and underwhelming performance, we can't recommend shopping for a Caliber as either a new or used car unless the price is unmatchable elsewhere.

Note: Images show a US model.