Our roads are getting better every year, but there is no less snow and mud. Owners of compact hatchbacks are increasingly looking at models with increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive. However, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail cost more than $30,000. But more modest in size and price "off-roaders" like the Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe, built on the Corolla platform, until recently were not supplied to Europe and Russia.
The situation has changed: first the Dodge Caliber appeared, followed by the Nissan Qashqai. It will be a duel!
The company could have been bigger. If we had taken the Caliber 1.8 for $24,600 and the base Qashqai 1.6 for $21,900 with manual gearboxes and modest equipment, the Suzuki SX4 would have joined them — a smaller and cheaper car ($21,300–22,800), but of the same class. However, for the test we got more powerful versions: two-liter engines and CVTs, priced around $30,000. The only difference is that the Qashqai was all-wheel drive (there are also front-wheel drive modifications), while the Caliber is imported to Russia exclusively with front-wheel drive.
But the Dodge's appearance is more advantageous. A real American! Aggressive and distinctive. Although the Qashqai also looks decent, especially the front: a protruding bumper, "muscular" ribs on the hood, a squat nose with a large Nissan emblem…
The Qashqai confidently holds both straight lines and corner arcs. If only the steering were sharper and the suspension a bit better…
But as soon as you look inside, it becomes clear how the "American" differs from a car made in Europe and for Europe. We're talking about the Qashqai. Strict lines, smooth surfaces, perfect panel gaps, quality materials — both visually and to the touch. The soft inserts on the door armrests are especially pleasant.
The driver sits comfortably in the Qashqai — the leather steering wheel adjusts in two directions with a wide range, the soft leather seat distributes load well, holds well in corners, and adjusts for height and length. Cozy! True, the cushion is tilted back significantly, so short drivers find it hard to fully press the long-travel gas pedal. The stamping on the floor also interferes: the sole hits it before the pedal!
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
 |  |
| Against the background of the Dodge's bright and expressive white dials, the Nissan's simple instruments look dull. And the small divisions on the little round gauge of the Qashqai are barely visible | |
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| Nissan Qashqai: quality plastic, soft materials, excellent steering wheel and pleasant design |
Inside the Caliber, everything is different. A massive, chunky dashboard, a "black square" radio on the glossy console panel, a large steering wheel made of rough polyurethane. Around — hard, glossy plastic of various textures and colors. Assembly is American-style: large uneven gaps between panels, a flimsy multifunctional armrest box…
Although if you don't dwell on drawbacks like the inconvenient seatback recline handle (you could sprain your wrist!), the strange wiper control via rotating the stalk knob, tiny steering wheel reach adjustment, and the slanted path of the CVT selector, it's not all that bad. In the firm and grippy fabric seats, you sit lower than in the Qashqai. The instruments in pods are like a measuring complex. The simple "stove" control — three classic knobs. Temperature can be set by feel, although the effort on the knobs is uneven. In short, you can live with it, but without comfort.
 |  |  |
| Of the three transmission modes, only two are fixed. The 4WD Lock mode with the rear drive coupling fully locked disengages itself after 30 km/h | The seat profile is good. However, the cushion tilt is not adjustable | Two people in the back of the Nissan are quite spacious |
In the back of the Caliber, it's also not a gift. The knees of tall passengers press against the hard backs of the front seats. The tilt adjustment of the asymmetric seatback halves hardly helps. Three abreast — it's "tight": the heads of the outer passengers press against the slopes of the stylish roof, and the middle one is bothered by the high and wide tunnel (cupholders sit right in the passage). And the seating position resembles Chinese tai chi "in the heron style": to squeeze between the low roof and high sill, especially to the middle seat, you need flexibility.
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
 |  |
| Both CVTs are from Jatco. The differences are only in details | |
By the way, those who fear confined spaces won't like the Caliber: the rear windows are like loopholes in an armored vehicle.
Getting to the rear seats in the Qashqai is easier, but the wheel arch and high sill also get in the way. There's a bit more legroom, the front seatbacks are soft, the armrests are more comfortable, and visibility is better. In short, two people in the back of the Qashqai are much cozier than in the Caliber. Three is just as cramped, but at least the outer passengers' heads don't hit the roof.
But the Dodge has a better trunk — it's larger, the loading height is lower, and the bumper protrudes less than the Nissan's. The reason is that the Qashqai got a full-size spare tire, while the Caliber has a "donut". By the way, the Nissan's fifth door is hazardous: it opens to a small angle, and a person above average height risks hitting their forehead on the sharp edge. The Dodge also wins in transformation: with the split seatbacks folded "flat", the opening is slightly larger. Plus the "American's" folding front seat — you can carry three-meter boards!
But we won't carry boards. Just ourselves. However, if possible, quickly!
The Caliber is not as obedient as the Qashqai. It's better not to skimp on the stability system (plus $630) — the Dodge at the "limit" tends to oversteer
Both crossovers start sluggishly, without spark. Even with the pedal to the floor, the CVTs keep the engines at "starting" 2500 rpm, and acceleration resembles stretching a rubber band in a slingshot, only without the shot: by 70 km/h the engines rev up to the limit of 6300 rpm and "hum" on one note. True, the Nissan holds the maximum until the top speed, while the Dodge's engine "drops" to 6000 rpm after 90 km/h.
The cars accelerate evenly, although the all-wheel drive Qashqai is a good hundredweight heavier, and its engine produces "only" 140 hp versus 156 hp for the front-wheel drive Caliber. And even with a full load, the Nissan climbs hills more briskly.
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| Brutal shapes, cheap plastic — real America |
| If the Caliber is unexpectedly splashed from a puddle, you'll have to turn the stalk knob, going through several intermediate wiper modes. Dangerous! |
In the city, the Qashqai also fits into dynamic traffic more confidently. Both CVTs have a manual mode with six fixed steps: they shift "up" themselves, and "down" only on driver command. But manual mode isn't really needed, since the regular "drive" in both CVTs is good: minimal lag, no jerks at all — controlling speed is logical and convenient. Only the damped long-travel gas pedals slightly interfere, especially the Nissan's "two-stage" one — the kick-down button creates additional effort already from mid-travel. And the Qashqai is louder — the feisty roar of the Nissan engine is annoying, unlike the quieter Caliber.
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
|  |
| The music controls are equally convenient, but the climate is easier to adjust in the Caliber — three classic knobs instead of a scattering of buttons and knobs in the Qashqai | |
Both cars brake excellently. Impressive deceleration, good feedback. But the Qashqai's braking distance from 100 km/h is two meters shorter — the ABS works more efficiently. Among the drawbacks are the large "background" force of the return spring in the Nissan and a slight "dip" in the pedal of the Dodge under constant pressure.
The Qashqai holds the high-speed straight confidently. The driver is reassured by the clear "zero" of the steering wheel, small body rolls during smooth lane changes, and good build-up of effort at the slightest deviation. Perhaps even too good — the steering wheel is a bit heavy. This is confusing during calm driving: you enter a sharp turn at 40 km/h, and it feels like you're going "all out"! By the way, the "overweighted" steering wheel also interferes in extreme modes — there's not enough feedback. In the "moose test," three out of five drivers couldn't avoid the obstacle precisely because of this!
But in parking modes, the steering resistance drops to a comfortable level. Sensitivity is also variable: the Qashqai is lazy on the highway and in high-speed corners, but agile in the city. Want to "have fun"? Actually, the Nissan doesn't encourage spirited driving: the strict stability control system roughly but effectively suppresses slides. However, the electronics can be turned off, and then a slight understeer on throttle lift very smoothly and predictably transitions into a gentle oversteer. But under power, the Qashqai slides outward with the front end — quite expected for a car with on-demand all-wheel drive.
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| Wobbly multifunctional armrest box… Not solid | Firm fabric seat with good profile holds well in corners |
 |  |
| You won't voluntarily sit in the back of the Caliber: getting in is difficult, sitting is cramped | The Dodge's front right seat folds down, helping to carry long items |
We liked the Dodge less.
The steering effort character is the direct opposite of the Nissan: it's light and purely background, as it barely increases with steering angle. At the same time, the Caliber responds more sharply to the slightest steering wheel movements. So in the city during calm driving, the "lightweight" steering and lively responses of the Dodge are just right.
But on the highway, driving the Caliber as relaxed as the Qashqai won't work — the sharpness of responses doesn't disappear with speed and, combined with the "empty" steering, forces you to be more tense on the road. Additionally, at speeds above
120 km/h, the Dodge "dances" on bumps due to kinematic mismatches in the long-travel rear suspension. In fast corners, any noticeable bumps transmit strong vibrations to the steering wheel. Understeer in a limit turn lasts longer, and the subsequent oversteer on throttle lift comes more abruptly than in the Qashqai and is harder to correct. And our car didn't have stability control... For the Caliber, it was only offered as an option this year.
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
 |  |
| The Qashqai's glovebox is small | The Caliber has three compartments for small items! The top lid almost closes under its own weight — the spring is weak |
Don't expect silence in the cabins: in both cars, the sound insulation of the floor and wheel arches is poor, and the drumming of stones and sand hammers your ears. Additionally, in the Caliber, tire noise dominates, while in the Qashqai, it's the engine roar. But the Nissan is still better for long trips: you can reduce revs by easing off the gas, while the tire noise in the Dodge can't be adjusted at all.
However, the Caliber handles Russian potholes more softly. Bumps are transmitted to the body very smoothly — you only hear the slaps of the wide tires, and vibration from unsprung masses sometimes makes itself known. On small bumps, the Qashqai is even more comfortable: vibrations from heavy wheels are almost absent, and jolts are smaller. The Nissan also descends curbs more softly. But it follows the road profile more precisely, and with large suspension travel, the progressive spring characteristics aren't ideal. If a shorter asphalt wave comes under the wheels at higher speed, passengers literally bounce!
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
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| The Qashqai's trunk is smaller than the Caliber's, and the loading height is higher… | |
And on broken asphalt, not to mention dirt roads, the Qashqai turns into a ruthless shaker. Moreover, the merciless impacts on the body are accompanied by loud knocking.
The poor suspension tuning also worsens the Qashqai's off-road capability. In principle, the all-wheel-drive Nissan is quite good off the asphalt — the coupling in the rear drive is well-tuned. In 4WD Auto mode, where the electronics manage the coupling lock, delays in "juggling" torque between axles are noticeable but don't prevent the Qashqai from climbing fairly steep clay slopes. And in 4WD Lock mode, the Qashqai is ready to compete with any crossover without a low-range gearbox.
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
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| The Caliber's faceted taillights look much more striking than the Qashqai's slanted and rounded optics | |
But... First, the long front overhang limits off-road capability. Second, the real (not claimed) ground clearance is modest for a car with off-road pretensions — 174 mm. And third, the short-travel suspension simply doesn't allow driving on dirt roads faster than walking pace.
Not so the Caliber! It has more ground clearance — 195 mm, and the suspension is longer-travel and more energy-intensive: the Dodge can easily fly along a dirt road. But... There's no all-wheel drive.
| Nissan Qashqai | Dodge Caliber |
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| …the reason for this is the full-size spare wheel instead of a "donut" in the Caliber | |
Let's sum up our impressions. It turns out that the Nissan Qashqai is better in everything except ride comfort and... the trunk. Moreover, for the same money as the Caliber, the Nissan crossover offers both all-wheel drive and dual-zone climate control...
It's a pity that the Qashqai has several serious drawbacks. First of all, the unsuccessful algorithm of the electric power steering and suspension settings that aren't suitable for Russian roads. Nissan's engineers should refine this model, and the sooner the better — before buyers get disappointed. After all, the free niche won't remain empty: many manufacturers are already preparing to enter the compact crossover segment.
Moreover, the two-liter versions of the Qashqai and Caliber are too expensive. $30,000 is already the territory of real "soft-roaders," where competition is even tougher.
Autoreview measurement results
| Some measurement results from Autoreview | |||
| Parameters | Cars | ||
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | ||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 180.4 | 174.2 | |
| Acceleration time, s | 0-50 km/h | 4.4 | 3.9 |
| 0-100 km/h | 11.6 | 11.5 | |
| 0-150 km/h | 28.7 | 31.7 | |
| at 400 m | 18.3 | 18.0 | |
| at 1000 m | 33.3 | 33.5 | |
| 60-100 km/h (III) | 8.9 | 8.0 | |
| 60-100 km/h (IV) | 11.2 | 11.0 | |
| 80-120 km/h (V) | 18.6 | 15.9 | |
| 80-120 km/h (VI) | 32.9 | 22.7 | |
| 60-100 km/h (D) | 6.9 | 7.6 | |
| 80-120 km/h (D) | 9.0 | 9.6 | |
| Coast-down, m | from 50 km/h | 481 | 432 |
| 130-80 km/h | 867 | 808 | |
| 160-80 km/h | 1295 | 1215 | |
| Braking from 100 km/h | distance, m | 43.3 | 41.0 |
| deceleration, m/s² | 8.9 | 9.4 | |
| Suspension characteristics | ||
| Parameter | Cars | |
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | |
| Front suspension compression travel*, mm | 15 | 35 |
| Rear suspension rebound travel*, mm | 95 | 60 |
| * When suspended on a lift | ||
| Only the driver was in the car | ||
| Specifications | ||
| Parameters | Cars | |
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | |
| Body type | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Number of seats | 5 | 5 |
| Trunk volume, L | 524-1360* | 352-1513* |
| Curb weight, kg | 1360 | 1454 |
| Gross weight, kg | 1930 | 1960 |
| Engine | petrol, with distributed injection | petrol, with distributed injection |
| Location | front, transverse | front, transverse |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 4, in-line | 4, in-line |
| Displacement, cm³ | 1998 | 1997 |
| Cylinder bore/piston stroke, mm | 86.0/86.0 | 84.0/90.1 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 | 10.2:1 |
| Number of valves | 16 | 16 |
| Max power, hp/kW/rpm | 156/115/6300 | 140/104/6000 |
| Max torque, Nm/rpm | 190/5100 | 196/4800 |
| Transmission | belt-driven CVT | belt-driven CVT |
| Gear ratios | ||
| ratio range | 2.35-0.39 | 2.35-0.39 |
| reverse | 1.76 | 1.75 |
| final drive | 6.12 | 6.26 |
| Drive | front | all-wheel, with automatically engaged rear wheels |
| Front suspension | independent, coil spring, McPherson | independent, coil spring, McPherson |
| Rear suspension | independent, coil spring, multi-link | independent, coil spring, multi-link |
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated | disc, ventilated |
| Rear brakes | disc | disc |
| Tires | 215/60 R17 | 215/65 R16 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 186 | 178 |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km | ||
| urban cycle | 10.1 | 10.8 |
| extra-urban cycle | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| combined cycle | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Fuel tank capacity, L | 51 | 65 |
| Fuel | petrol AI-92 | petrol AI-95 |
| * With rear seats folded | ||
| Equipment of the cars tested | ||
| Equipment | Cars | |
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | |
| Base version price, $ | 28850 | 24400 |
| Front airbags | + | + |
| Front side airbags | – | + |
| Inflatable curtains | + | + |
| ABS | + | + |
| Traction control system | – | O |
| Electronic stability control | – | O |
| Power steering | + | + |
| Automatic transmission | +* | O* |
| Multi-function steering wheel | – | + |
| All-wheel drive | – | O |
| Adjustable steering column (height) | + | + |
| Adjustable steering column (reach) | – | + |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | O |
| Heated front seats | – | + |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror | – | O |
| Central locking (remote) | + | + |
| Anti-theft alarm | + | – |
| Air conditioning | + | + |
| Dual-zone climate control | – | O |
| Power and heated exterior mirrors | + | + |
| Power folding exterior mirrors | – | O |
| Power windows | + | + |
| Split-folding rear seat | + | + |
| Adjustable rear seat backrests | + | – |
| CD audio system | + | + |
| CD changer | – | O** |
| Keyless engine start | – | O |
| Light sensor | – | + |
| Rain sensor | – | O |
| Trip computer | + | + |
| Cruise control | – | O |
| Rear parking sensors | – | O |
| Leather interior | – | O |
| Remote fuel filler flap release | – | + |
| Xenon headlights | – | O |
| Fog lights | – | O |
| Headlight washers | – | O |
| Alloy wheels | – | O |
| Full-size spare wheel | – | + |
| Metal engine protection | – | – |
| Metallic paint | O | + |
| Price of tested car, $ | 29480 | 32050 |
| * CVT | ||
| ** With Bluetooth hands-free | ||
| (+) Included in base version | ||
| (–) Not available in base version | ||
| (O) Options installed on the tested cars | ||
| Speedometer accuracy | ||||||||
| Cars | Speedometer reading, km/h | |||||||
| 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 | 140 | 160 | 180 | |
| True speed, km/h | ||||||||
| Dodge Caliber | 39 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 | 140 | 160 | 180 |
| Nissan Qashqai | 36 | 56 | 74 | 94 | 112 | 132 | 152 | 171 |
Acceleration graphs
Autoreview readers' forecast
Before these tests, we asked visitors of our website www.autoreview.ru to choose a favorite among the test participants. Here is how the audience's sympathies were divided:
Nissan Qashqai 79.56%
Dodge Caliber 20.44%
A total of 5858 people took part in the survey
Final Autoreview ratings
| Expert ratings from Autoreview | |||
| Parameters assessed | Max. score | Vehicles | |
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | ||
| Design | 160 | 125 | 130 |
| Exterior | 80 | 70 | 65 |
| Interior | 80 | 55 | 65 |
| Ergonomics | 160 | 120 | 130 |
| Driver's workplace | 80 | 60 | 65 |
| Visibility | 80 | 60 | 65 |
| Dynamics | 320 | 240 | 270 |
| Acceleration dynamics | 80 | 60 | 65 |
| Braking dynamics | 100 | 85 | 90 |
| Handling | 90 | 65 | 75 |
| Off-road | 50 | 30 | 40 |
| Ride comfort | 190 | 135 | 145 |
| Smoothness, vibration protection | 70 | 55 | 50 |
| Acoustic comfort | 60 | 40 | 45 |
| Climate control | 60 | 40 | 50 |
| Cabin comfort | 170 | 120 | 120 |
| Passenger seats | 60 | 35 | 45 |
| Trunk | 60 | 45 | 40 |
| Cabin transformation | 50 | 40 | 35 |
| Total score | 1000 | 740 | 795 |
A wet affair
This time, we failed to catch the moment when the asphalt on the special tracks of the testing ground had completely dried after the spring rains. Therefore, we had to abandon measuring the maximum speed in the "moose test." However, we did arrange single runs for five drivers who had just gotten behind the wheel of these cars — the surface held up consistently.
As on dry pavement, each participant was given a single attempt to avoid an "accident" at a speed of 65 km/h.
In the Qashqai, during sharp maneuvering, the tight steering wheel is straining, and it also provides almost no feedback — three out of five pilots simply could not turn the wheel to the required angle. For those who acted more decisively and fit into the corridor of cones, the strict electronic stability control came to the rescue, noticeably reducing speed.
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The Caliber turned out to be more accommodating: three out of five drivers coped with the task. The failures complained about the large dimensions and the light steering wheel lacking informativeness. But if you try to perform the evasive maneuver at a much higher speed, the Caliber begins to over-slide into a skid — even the most experienced Autoreview expert could not dampen the course oscillations without the stability system!
| "Moose test" on the first attempt at 65 km/h* | |
| Vehicle | Maneuver completed |
| Nissan Qashqai | 2 out of 5 drivers |
| Dodge Caliber | 3 out of 5 drivers |
| 5 drivers participated in the tests | |
Visibility
Dodge Caliber
The stylish exterior of the Caliber also took away visibility from the driver. Its total viewing angle is record-low in the entire history of Autoreview measurements: only 2320. You look through the windshield as if through a loophole: from below, the massive dashboard looms, from above, the low ceiling presses down. And the massive front pillars make the picture even gloomier. It's gratifying that the left wiper almost completely clears the glass. In city traffic, only the mirrors help — they are both convenient in shape and large in area. The rear opening is small, and moreover, it is blocked by a palisade of headrests.
Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai's visibility is quite good: the mirrors are large, and the total viewing angle is 2670. The windshield pillars are not too thick, but the wiper blade on the driver's side does not reach the pillar by about five centimeters, which noticeably worsens forward visibility in rainy weather. To the rear, visibility is limited by a small oval window with a high lower edge and wide pillars.
Safe?
The Nissan Qashqai is generously equipped with active and passive safety systems: even the base version has six airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, and electronic brake-force distribution, while richer trims also offer stability control. The Dodge Caliber looks more modest against this background — "in base" only ABS, and only four airbags: two front and two curtain. For stability control and side airbags, you have to pay extra. Isofix anchors are available on both cars.
The Dodge Caliber was safety-tested according to the methodology of the American NHTSA association. The frontal crash test is a hit into a concrete wall at 56 km/h. In the side impact, a trolley with a deformable barrier hits the car at 62 km/h at an oblique angle. The Caliber passed both tests with "excellent" — five stars. In addition, the Americans checked the hatchback for rollover resistance. The probability of rollover for the tall Caliber does not exceed 15%, which corresponds to four stars out of five. For ordinary golf-class cars, this indicator stays at 10-13%, and for crossovers it starts from 16%.
The Nissan Qashqai has not yet undergone independent crash tests.
| Dodge Caliber* | |
| Driver protection in frontal impact | 5 stars |
| Passenger protection in frontal impact | 5 stars |
| Driver protection in side impact | 5 stars |
| Rear passenger protection in side impact | 5 stars |
| Rollover rating | 4 stars |
| Curb weight | 1384 kg |
| * Tests were conducted according to NHTSA rules | |
What's the price?
The Dodge Caliber in base SE trim with a 1.8 engine (150 hp), five-speed manual, four airbags, air conditioning, power package, and CD player costs $24,600 (18,100 euros). Only front-wheel-drive versions are supplied to Russia. A car with a two-liter engine (156 hp) and a belt-driven CVT costs $28,850 (21,200 euros). It was this Caliber in "metallic" color (surcharge $630) that participated in our test. For the SXT version, you will have to pay another $2,850 (2,100 euros), but it includes cruise control, fog lights, CD changer, Boston acoustics, alloy wheels, and heated seats. Optional extras include leather interior ($1,630), electric sunroof ($1,090), navigation ($3,400), stability control ($630), and side airbags ($500). Payment at dealers is in rubles at the CBR exchange rate, and waiting for an ordered car will take from one to three months.
Warranty — 2 years without mileage limit. Dodge sales are handled by 21 dealers in 11 Russian cities.
The Nissan Qashqai with a 1.6 engine (115 hp) is available exclusively in front-wheel-drive and only with a five-speed manual gearbox. The base XE version costs $21,900 and already includes six airbags, air conditioning, electric windows, CD player, and heated front seats. The Qashqai has a richer choice of modifications, but prices are higher: the 2.0 XE version (140 hp) with a manual starts from $24,400. For a package with dual-zone climate control, electric mirrors, rain sensor, alloy wheels, and fog lights, you will have to pay an additional $1,220. The LE trim with leather interior, stability control, CD changer, and parking sensors is another $2,530 on top. The CVT is priced at $1,500, and all-wheel drive at $2,400. In our test, we had an all-wheel-drive Qashqai 2.0 CVT LE priced at $32,050. A rear-view camera with a color screen and an MP3 radio add $2,300 to the cost. In total, the top all-wheel-drive version 2.0 CVT LE+ comes out to $34,350. Payment at dealers is accepted in rubles at the CBR exchange rate. But the queue for the Qashqai has already reached eight months and continues to grow…
The warranty on the car is three years or 100,000 km of mileage. The Nissan dealer network includes 38 sales points in 23 Russian cities.
| Cost of scheduled maintenance with consumables and parts* | |||
| Scheduled service | Vehicles | ||
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | ||
| Cost per hour | 63 | 56 | |
| Mileage, km | 7500 | — | 209** |
| 10000 | 260 | — | |
| 15000 | — | 221 | |
| 20000 | 272 | — | |
| 30000 | 369 | 443 | |
| 40000 | 260 | — | |
| 45000 | — | 221 | |
| 50000 | 505 | — | |
| 60000 | 260 | 707 | |
| 70000 | 350 | — | |
| 75000 | — | 221 | |
| 80000 | 260 | — | |
| 90000 | 260 | 548 | |
| Total | 2796 | 2570 | |
| * Prices are in US dollars | |||
| ** Performed optionally | |||
| Approximate prices for original parts at Moscow dealers* | ||
| Parts | Vehicles | |
| Dodge Caliber | Nissan Qashqai | |
| Oil filter | 12 | 12 |
| Fuel filter | 64 | — |
| Air filter | 28 | 33 |
| Cabin filter | 48 | 57 |
| Spark plug | 5 | 24 |
| Front brake pads | 151 | 89 |
| Rear brake pads | 127 | 74 |
| Front shock absorber | 122 | 280 |
| Rear shock absorber | 70 | 132 |
| Front headlight | 214 | 401 |
| Rear taillight | 194 | 230 |
| Front fender | 427 | 252 |
| Front bumper | 334 | 276 |
| Hood | 505 | 419 |
| Windshield | 466 | 369 |
| * Prices are in US dollars | ||
What else?
Speaking of affordable alternatives to the Caliber and Qashqai, it's worth mentioning the compact crossover Suzuki SX4 with a 1.6-liter engine producing 107 hp. The front-wheel-drive version with an automatic transmission costs $21,300, while the all-wheel-drive modification with a manual gearbox is $22,800. The Suzuki's interior is more cramped than the Caliber's and Qashqai's, but the car's character is lively: body roll is minimal, reactions are precise, and the steering is informative. However, the suspension feels somewhat stiff. Off-road, the SX4 is decent — thanks to a large ground clearance and a rigid locking of the center coupling in the all-wheel-drive version. More details in AR No. 17, 2006.
There's also the option — the "raised" station wagon Skoda Roomster Scout. It differs from the regular Roomster by an increased ground clearance of 183 mm (the standard version has 140 mm) and plastic body cladding. The engine lineup includes three engines: two gasoline units of 1.4 liters (86 hp) and 1.6 liters (105 hp), plus a 1.9-liter turbodiesel (105 hp). Prices start from $19,790, $20,490, and $25,390 respectively.
For those eyeing more powerful two-liter cars, the choice is much wider. First of all, these are the front-wheel-drive versions of the twin crossovers Hyundai Tucson (from $26,730*) and Kia Sportage (from $25,980*). Both are equipped with the same 2.0-liter engine (142 hp), and for the Hyundai, an automatic transmission is available for an extra $1,460*. The front-wheel-drive Sportage impresses with a smooth ride, obedience, and precise responses. Details in AR No. 22, 2005. All-wheel-drive modifications will cost from $29,240* for the Hyundai and from $27,920* for the Kia.
The previous Mitsubishi Outlander with a two-liter engine (136 hp) and all-wheel drive is sold for $28,510*. The drive here is permanent all-wheel with a symmetrical center differential locked by a viscous coupling. The car will please enthusiastic drivers, but beginners should remember: the tendency to oversteer is increased, and there's no stability control system. Prices for the Outlander 2.4 (160 hp) start from $32,250*. Details in AR No. 22, 2005.
The five-door Suzuki Grand Vitara (2.0 liters, 141 hp) costs $29,900. The version with an automatic transmission is $32,200. Despite its "crossover" appearance, the car is equipped with a permanent all-wheel-drive transmission with a lockable center differential. Thanks to a low-range gear, the Grand Vitara can pull not only itself but also others out of trouble. However, the Suzuki's suspension lacks energy capacity. Details in AR No. 7, 2006 and AR No. 22, 2005.
The outgoing Nissan X-Trail (2.0 liters, 140 hp) costs slightly more than the Suzuki — from $30,190. The car drives well (details in AR No. 7, 2006), but a new generation is coming soon — and the new X-Trail will be built on the same platform as the Qashqai.
Honda CR-V (2.0 liters, 150 hp) is priced at $33,800, with the automatic version costing $3,000 more. The all-wheel-drive transmission uses a multi-plate clutch in the rear-wheel drive, which operates slowly — by the time the lock engages, the front wheels have already dug in. The Honda responds sluggishly to throttle and steering inputs. However, the stylish crossover impresses with comfort and well-thought-out driver ergonomics. Details in AR No. 5, 2007.
Toyota RAV4 (2.0 liters, 152 hp) costs slightly more than the Honda — from $34,250. The extra charge for the automatic is $1,450. On the road, the RAV4 behaves as the complete opposite of the CR-V. The chassis is excellently tuned. The IAD system manages the non-switchable stability control, all-wheel drive (the degree of clutch "compression" changes), and electric power steering, while the transmission with forced locking of the center coupling gives the "Rafik" decent off-road capabilities. Details in AR No. 23, 2006 and AR No. 5, 2007.
* At the exchange rate of $1 = 25.75 rubles.
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| Suzuki SX4 | Skoda Roomster Scout |
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| Hyundai Tucson | Kia Sportage |
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| Suzuki Grand Vitara | Nissan X-Trail |
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| Honda CR-V | Toyota RAV4 |