When you hear the word Dodge, your imagination usually paints huge Rams or Durangos, or even a crazy Viper. But somehow you forget about a mass-produced passenger car from this brand. Unless you remember the Neon — the very "spiritual inspiration" for the new Caliber.
However, the idea and its implementation are, as often happens, different things. The Caliber's exterior is not at all like a typical portrait of an ordinary passenger car. The car looks noticeably more massive and aggressive. There are two reasons for this: dimensions (in all parameters it surpassed the main competitor — the VW Golf V, as Dodge marketers believe) and a chunky, assertive design.
The creators, it seems, did not stand on ceremony with the shapes — as if they worked with an axe, but it is these rough lines that give the car its character. The huge "long-haul" nose and large wheels add solidity to the image. And what do we have in the dry residue? At the very least, a crossover that is fashionable nowadays. And the impressive ground clearance only confirms this. Although, you must admit, it's strange to see this in a city hatchback.
The secret of such "off-road capability" seems to lie in its American origin: at home, where the car is assembled, the Caliber differs from the European version not only in a more powerful engine, but also in all-wheel drive. How much such versatility is needed by the consumer — time will tell, but sitting behind the wheel, you just want to shout to all these "pot-bellied" classmates: "Get out of the way!"
2007 Dodge Caliber 2.0
© Photo: 5 Koleso
In motion, the Caliber also somewhat resembles a heavy SUV: it leans more in corners than passenger car drivers are used to, and it shakes noticeably on bumps. Although, to give credit, it still behaves more docilely than a real "off-roader."
The two-liter gasoline engine with 156 hp gives acceptable dynamics for a one-and-a-half-ton car. You wouldn't call the Caliber swift, but its temperament is quite enough for confident movement in city traffic.
The two-liter engine is paired with a belt-driven CVT, which does not dull the car's dynamic capabilities too much. It is tuned so that it itself selects the optimal gear ratio at any moment. If you want to control it yourself — please, there is a manual mode. You don't have to worry about the comfort of such a transmission: no jerks, only smooth acceleration. And one more plus: compared to a conventional 4-speed "automatic," the CVT allows saving 6–8% of fuel. By the way, for the Russian market, a version with a 1.8-liter engine (140 hp) and a 5-speed "manual" is also provided.
2007 Dodge Caliber 2.0
© Photo: 5 Koleso
There are no complaints about the brakes: they confidently stop the heavy car. Visibility from the high driver's seat is excellent. The steering wheel is light — for amateurs, but it doesn't cause any particular inconvenience. But the handling is not without sin: during sharp lane changes, the Caliber scares with rolls and slight "yawing" along the trajectory.
However, all these whims manifest only in extreme modes, which are almost never encountered in ordinary life. But they disappear as soon as you drive onto a dirt road, where you can always hit the bottom. So for a Caliber owner, a trip to nature — to the beach or the forest — looks much more promising than for "classmates." And it's not just about cross-country capability. For outings, the vinyl tray in the trunk and the spacious compartment, the door of which can be equipped with fold-down speakers, are excellent.
To quench your thirst after dancing to music, there is a cooled compartment in the glove box for four half-liter bottles. If you fold down the back of the front passenger seat, you get an improvised table for food. And in the dark, a removable flashlight on the ceiling will come in handy. Although such "goodies" would not hurt in everyday city life either.
Inside, the Caliber greets you with calmness and composure. The cabin is cozy and spacious enough for five. True, there could be more legroom in the back. The seats are as comfortable as you would expect from this category. Unlike softer competitors, there is a lot of hard plastic here. But if you evaluate with your eyes, not by touch, everything looks more pleasant. Especially for those who love functional simplicity: the front panel of the "Caliber," unlike fashionable "space" solutions, is made laconic. You get used to the large "SUV" steering wheel instantly. And you understand that when creating the car, they really thought about you.
As a result, the Dodge Caliber, one might say, successfully passed the "certification." It stands out strongly against the background of competitors. This is both its weakness and its strength. The weak point is the price. The most affordable version (with a 1.8 engine and "manual") costs 18,200 euros. In principle, not fatal. But when you remember the cheaper "Focus" (about $16,500), the "Caliber" has little chance. But against the background of the expensive VW Golf or Mazda3, the "calibrated" Dodge does not look so hopeless. And here you can bet on its originality, which will surely find its admirers.
Technical characteristics of Dodge Caliber 2.0
Gross weight, kg – 1930
Dimensions, mm:
- length – 4415
- width – 1800
- height – 1535
Wheelbase, mm – 2635
Control fuel consumption, l/100 km:
- city cycle – 10.1
- suburban – 6.9
- mixed – 8.1
Engine:
- type – 4-cylinder, 16-valve
- displacement, cm3 – 1998
- power, hp at rpm – 156/6300
- torque, Nm at rpm – 190/5100
Transmission – belt-driven CVT with manual shift capability; front-wheel drive
Tire size – 215/60R17
Wheel suspension:
with stabilizer;
- front – McPherson
- rear – multi-link
Brakes (front/rear) – disc, ventilated/disc
Steering – rack and pinion, with power steering
Price, euros – from 21,300 (base version — 18,200).
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Practical interior, ergonomics, versatility.
– High price, tendency to roll in corners.
May 30, 2006
© 5 Koleso