2009 Dodge Caliber Review Summary & Specs
SE Wagon
Inexpensive and economical.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The 2009 Dodge Caliber is at the same time innovative and retro, a hatchback that's more like a station wagon but with hints of the utility of a minivan. The Caliber makes a good case when it comes to packaging, but falls short on materials quality. Though all Calibers show signs of cost-cutting, the SE, SXT and R/T offer good, basic transportation, and the SRT4 is a performance bargain.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard reported on the Caliber from Scottsdale, Arizona, with Kirk Bell reporting on the SRT4 from Indianapolis.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Compact Cars |
| Editor |
New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup |
Dodge Caliber SE ($16,460); SXT ($17,850); R/T AWD ($20,295); SRT4 ($24,840) |
| Engines (standard) |
2.0-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
CVT automatic |
| Engines (optional) |
148-hp 1.8-liter inline-4; 158-hp 2.0-liter inline-4; 172-hp 2.4-liter inline-4; 285-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-4 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed manual; continuously variable automatic (CVT); 6-speed manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual front airbags, head-protecting side-curtain airbags, child safety seat anchors (LATCH) |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
antilock brakes, brake assist, tire pressure monitor, electronic stability program with traction control |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Belvidere, Illinois |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-423-6343 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.dodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$16,460 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dodge Caliber SXT ($17,850) |
| Standard Equipment |
stain-resistant cloth upholstery; tilt steering column; removable and washable vinyl cargo mat; power windows, mirrors and locks; remote keyless entry; floor mats, cargo area tonneau cover; cruise control; air conditioning with the interior air filter and Chill Zone; tachometer; Sirius satellite radio; 115-volt, AC power outlet; rechargeable rear flashlight; height-adjustable driver's seat; fold-flat front passenger seat; reclining 60/40 split folding rear seat; all-season P215/60R17 touring tires on aluminum wheels |
| Destination Charge |
630 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
158-hp 2.0-liter engine ($150); CVT ($1000); Premium Sound Group ($595) Boston Acoustics sound system with nine speakers, including two articulating liftgate speakers; AM/FM/MP3 stereo with six-CD in-dash changer with auxiliary input jack ($350); Driver Convenience Group ($795) with Dodge's uconnect hands-free cell phone link, HomeLink universal garage door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror, vehicle information center and tire pressure monitor; power sunroof ($795) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$22,165 |
| Layout |
front-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
158 @ 6400 |
| Torque |
141 @ 5000 |
| Fuel Economy |
23/27 |
| Wheelbase |
103.7 |
| Length/Width/Height |
173.8/68.8/60.4 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
35.5 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.8/52.2/41.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.9/49.6/35.7 |
| Trunk Volume |
48.0 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
1000 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, MacPherson strut, coil spring-over gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, multi-link, coil spring. gas-pressurized shocks, link-type stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance |
8.1 |
| Curb Weight |
3039 |
| Stock Tires |
P215/60R17 all-season touring |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/drum with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
13.6 |