Suitability Parameters:

Speed Merchants: Yes
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: Yes
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: Yes
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:

*Mazda Mazdaspeed3
*Volkswagen GTI
*Subaru WRX
*Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X
*Toyota Matrix XRS
*Honda Civic SI
*Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

Vitals:

Manufacturer: Dodge
Model tested: Caliber SRT4
Model year: 2008
Base Price: $22,435
Price as Tested: $26,145
Engine type: 2.4 Liter DOHC I4 Turbo
Horsepower: 285 @ 6,400 RPM
Torque: 265 @ 5,600 RPM
Red line: 8,250 RPM
Transmission: Getrag six-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2,966 lbs
LxWxH: 173.8" x 68.8" x 60.4"
Wheelbase: 103.7"
Tires: 225/45R19 BSW All-Season Performance Tires
Drive type: FWD
0 - 60 mph: 6.0 seconds (some claim 5.8 seconds)
1/4-mile: 14.5 seconds
Top speed: 155 MPH Electronically Limited
EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/26 MPG
NHTSA crash test rating: *****/*****

Also see:

• 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, Part One
• 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, Part Two

Acceleration:***
The 2.4 Liter DOHC inline-four features a small TD04 turbocharger connected to a relatively large intercooler mounted behind the grille, giving the trained eye a hint of the power lurking underneath. The little turbo spools up quickly and, given enough juice, propels the Caliber nearly as quickly as the Neon SRT4 that proceeded it, despite the addition of nearly 200 pounds.

Braking:****
Anyone who drives around Chicago can attest to the fact that, on most streets, one encounters a real-life example of every Driver's Ed video ever seen. Delivery trucks pull out of alleys you didn't notice, people on bikes zig and zag out of traffic, and pedestrians appear out of nowhere, making the brakes of utmost importance. In this case, the SRT4 was a worthy car for the Second City. The massive 13-inch vented disc brakes up front are shared with the Charger and provide serious stopping power without fail, even on snowy streets.

Ride:**
It feels as though the team behind the SRT4 was asked to set-up handling and ride in a way that would benefit both the more casual driver and the weekend racer. Unfortunately, both consumer types will be disappointed. If you don't plan on utilizing the car's MacPherson strut front suspension for spirited driving, you'll be bummed by the jolts you're going to experience on anything but smooth roads.

Handling:**
Respect should be given to whoever engineered the anti-sway bars, as the SRT4, which feels nearly as tall as it is, manages to keep the driver from feeling as the car is going to tip over when engaged in serious maneuvering. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the ESP. I was treated to an impromptu test of the car's electronics when it began to snow and found myself on the wrong side of a snow plow. The traction control light flicked on and off like it was part of a pinball machine. I never felt as though enough power was getting to the ground.

Gearbox:***
The Gertrag six-speed manual does its part in getting the hatch moving, providing crisp throws the whole way. The only complaint I have about the gearbox is its placement, neither high on the dash like the Civic SI, nor placed conventionally low. Once you get used to it isn't quite so annoying, but it's a drawback for those with long arms.

Audio:***
The audio system is routed through the navigational display, which is slightly awkward when flipping through the stations and trying to navigate at the same time. It's not a major flaw, but the new Chrysler system looks much better. Controls for the audio system are set behind the steering wheel, as opposed to integrated into it, which is something I prefer for a sports car. It suddenly takes the joy out of driving if the steering wheel is too cluttered with controls.

Toys:****
Because of the flat tire, I ended up driving two Caliber SRT4's (a pre-production and a production version). The only difference between the two was that the production model featured extra electronics, including the UConnect Hands-Free communications system and navigation. The UConnect system worked well, integrating with my bluetooth-enabled Samsung phone and providing ample sound quality (though the voice recognition, as always, left something to be desired). The nav system, on the other hand, was of the dial-and-enter variety found on other Chrysler products—not the new touch-screen version found on the new 300C. I wasn't a big fan.

The most unique feature on the SRT4, and the one worth the actual money (skip the navigation system if you want to save some scratch) is the performance display. Using a button next to the right reconfigurable display, the driver can switch from showing the temperature to screens that measure acceleration (0-60 mph, 1/8 mile and 1/4 mile) G-force and braking distance. I wouldn't bet my life on these numbers, but it helps when bragging to friends. Why isn't this feature on more cars in this class?

Value:***
With a price of $22,435 the SRT4 is a decent value, providing a lot of power and a fair amount of space. Nevertheless, there are better cars available at a similar or even lower price. For example, the Mazdaspeed3 comes in at about $200 cheaper and offers a slightly higher level of refinement. If you can do without the extra doors, the VW GTI starts with a base that's $400 less expensive.

Overall: **
The SRT4 never quite achieves what it's going for in terms of style or performance. Look at it straight ahead and there's something bold about the style, but step back and you'll notice the lines that still make it a Caliber. Open it up on the highway and there's enough power to get you smiling, but drive it on less-than-stellar roads and there's enough uncertainty to get you to slow down. I don't see it gaining the same following as the original Neon SRT4.

Part One of the Dodge Caliber SRT4 review appeared yesterday, Part Three will appear tomorrow.

For example, I've heard that adults love to parallel park. I'm barely an adult—I'm just turning 25. But when I got behind the wheel of the Caliber, I figured I should experience the car through adult eyes. And that meant I had to try to parallel park the SRT4.

If parallel parking is an aspect of your grown-up life, I'm here to tell you that you're not going to want the SRT4. The greenhouse slopes downward at the back, leaving a small rear window. The tiny window between the C and D pillars is completely useless. Bad-weather parallel parking is especially dicey. There's so much power flowing to the front wheels that it's hard not to spin them when trying to drive off of a small block of ice to realign the sporty hatch.

Once I got the SRT4 parked, I did a walk-around to assess the vehicle's visual impact—once again, through adult eyes. You know what hurts adult eyes? Non-functional scoops and vents. The stock Caliber hood gets three big holes and only one of them, the center hood scoop, actually does anything. The wannabe adult in me also didn't particularly care for the illuminated cup holders. They look pretty but are too large to fit my coffee.

Taking the car to Target made me feel better. Adults love Target. The SRT4 carries over a reasonable amount of storage from the base Caliber, including the Chill Zone storage above the glove compartment. This feature can keep water bottles cool—perfect for 14-degree Chicago weather. The interior contains the cheapest cut plastics I've seen in a long time, but at least it has a built-in iPod dock for when the kids want to play their spiffy tunes.

Wait, what the hell? I don't have kids. What am I thinking? It wasn't until I pulled into my local mall's parking lot for coffee that it hit me: I was taking the wrong approach to the SRT4. I have Nate to thank for setting me straight. Nate's responsible for making sure people don't park their cars at the mall and walk somewhere else. It's the kind of adolescent job that requires an adolescent mindset. He heard the turbo whirring from down the street and was there to greet me with his camera phone when I shut the door. He was pumped.

Nate loves to talk about cars and, specifically, about his early '90s CRX. At least I suspect it's an early 90's CRX, but neither the paint nor the body panels match. Though slightly older than 17, Nate possesses the spirit of a driver unrestrained by the concepts of ergonomics, mileage or contemporary trends in automotive design.

Talking it over with him, something in me changed. Remember I'm not yet 25, I'm 24. I could suddenly see the SRT4's appeal. The designers manage to take the not-quite-SUV looks of the Caliber and transform them into not-quite-sports-hatch. If you're into the import scene, the four-banger with that little turbo manages to produce an exhaust note both loud and, dare I say, somewhat more refined than the coffee can hanging off of Nate's Honda.

When I started driving the SRT4 like a teenager, it was a much better experience. Take off at every stoplight? Why not. Like the original SRT4, this version lacks the reassuring handling dynamics of its European competitors. But it doesn't make any promises in that area. It goes fast in a straight line, which is exactly what it's supposed to do.

There was only one problem. When you drive like a kid, you're only looking to avoid cops. When you drive like an adult, you look out for things like potholes. One of my driving companions during the week I had the SRT4 claims he saw the pothole that destroyed the front right tire, but I'm convinced it materialized only microseconds before we merged onto the freeway.

By the time we pulled into the gas station, you could hear the air escaping the tire at maximum velocity. My adult self really started to kick in and was understandably disappointed when I discovered that the car didn't have a spare tire. Adult self did like Chrysler Roadside Assistance, which sent over a flatbed truck promptly.

Youth, apparently, does have its drawbacks.

Dodge Brand Helps Tune Up a Tuned-Out Relationship This Holiday Season

Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 13, 2007 - Zach Madrid of Colorado Springs, Colo., has been named the winner of the Dodge brand's "Are You Tuned Out?" search for the nation's most "tuned-out" car enthusiast and vehicle tuner. Nominated by his fiancée, Tricia Champagne, Madrid represents the 63 percent of men who, according to a survey conducted by Dodge and Ipsos Public Affairs1, are "tuned in" to their cars and trucks, sometimes at the expense of their personal relationships.

In her nomination essay, Champagne said Madrid is completely "tuned-out," so much so that she has no chance of having a "civilized conversation" with him if there is any sort of car show on television. According to Champagne, Madrid has sketch books full of visions, concepts and customized versions of his favorite Dodge cars, and has memorized the exact horsepower and torque for the entire SRT lineup.

"The Dodge Caliber SRT4 is awesome. I can't believe I'm going to have a brand new one sitting in my driveway," said Madrid. "I never thought when Tricia nominated me that I would end up winning the 'Are You Tuned Out?' contest! I couldn't have asked for a better wedding present or a better fiancée!"

In the last year, vehicle customization and tuning has exploded into a $36.7 billion industry, and Americans are spending 18 billion hours tuning and maintaining their vehicles annually2. To help these tuners (and tuners-in-training) get cool rides without having to spend all of their free time and money in the garage, the Dodge brand launched a search for the most "tuned-out" car enthusiast. Of the nearly 1,000 enthusiasts who entered the contest, Madrid was named one of four finalists to win an all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 - a vehicle that comes performance-tuned straight from the factory, which means tuners can spend less time working on their car and more time with their friends and family.

"In the 'Are You Tuned Out?' contest, we were looking for people who are so obsessed with automotive performance and personalization they never leave the garage long enough to really connect with their significant others, family and friends," said Ralph Gilles, Vice President - Jeep®, Truck, Advance Interior and Component Design, Chrysler LLC. "The Dodge Caliber SRT4 is a high-performance, race-inspired vehicle that comes 'pre-tuned' straight from the factory. We hope it will help tuners like Zach live more balanced lives, because all the tuning work is already done."

While Madrid won an all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, Champagne will be awarded a Dodge prize package, which includes Dodge gear and a $100 gift card for nominating the grand prize winner. The three runners-up will each receive a Dodge prize package, which includes Dodge gear and a subscription to Mopar magazine.

"While there's no guarantee Zach won't end up right back in the garage to further personalize his Caliber SRT4, we think the vehicle's 285-horsepower and incredible acceleration will keep him and Tricia happily cruising together for a long, long time to come," said Gilles.

Tuner Roadblocks
With so many people tuned into the tuning trend, Dodge asked consumers what they considered to be the biggest roadblock to having a tuned-out ride. Cost and lack of time were identified by 41 and 34 percent of tuners respectively, while only seven percent said being in a relationship was the biggest roadblock to tuning.

Additional survey results showed:

* Putting the Grrrr in Garage - Seventeen percent of men say the garage is their favorite place to spend time at home
* Date Night vs. Drag Night - Twenty-two percent of women and 16 percent of men would rather spend an evening without their significant other rather than have to give up their vehicle for the same night
* Tuner Vision - More than one in three women (34 percent) say they are tuned in to cars and trucks

Tune In to the Are You Tuned Out Contest Details
Between Oct. 24 and Nov. 15, consumers were invited to nominate themselves, their significant other, friends or family for a chance to win an all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4. During the registration process, participants were asked to submit a 250-word essay answering the questions, "Why are you or your significant other tuned-out?" and "How will winning an all-new Dodge Caliber SRT4 help you or your significant other tune back in?"

An independent panel of judges reviewed all of the entries and the four contestants who received the highest scores were named finalists. Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10, consumers were invited to vote for their favorite tuner or tuner-in-training online at www.DodgeRUTunedOut.com. The results of the online voting were added to the judges' scores, and the tuner with the highest combined score was awarded an all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4. [Source: Chrysler]

Dodge Announces Pricing for All-new 2008 Caliber SRT4®

* All-new 285-horsepower 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4® is priced at $22,995
* Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT)® organization continues the popular SRT legacy
* Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers SRT mission of benchmark performance for the best price to the sport-compact market

Auburn Hills, Mich., Aug 21, 2007 -

Dodge announced pricing today for the latest addition to Chrysler's popular Street and Racing Technology (SRT)® vehicle lineup - the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4®.

Boasting 285 horsepower, 265 lb.-ft. of torque and a 0-60 mph time in the low 6-second range, the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is available for $22,995, which includes $560 for destination. The 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 once again delivers the SRT mission of benchmark performance at the lowest price.

"Like all of Chrysler's SRT vehicles, the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers customers an unmatched performance/value equation," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing Communications, Chrysler. "With 285 horsepower, 265 lb.-ft. of tire-smoking torque, and numerous functional, race-inspired exterior and interior appointments, Dodge and SRT have once again boldly joined the sport-compact performance market in dominating fashion."

The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 showcases the renowned, five key aspects of any SRT vehicle: exterior styling that resonates with the brand image; race-inspired interiors; world-class ride and handling characteristics across a broad range; benchmark braking; and standout powertrain. The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 unquestionably delivers in all five areas.

Exterior styling includes an aggressive SRT stance, a front fascia with functional brake cooling ducts and a larger grille opening. The unique hood features a functional air scoop enhancing underhood cooling. A large integrated spoiler above the rear glass is tuned for smoother air flow and lift reduction. Available exterior colors are Brilliant Black, Sunburst Orange, Bright Silver and Inferno Red.

Inside, the all-new Caliber SRT4 boasts sport seating with deep, performance bolsters, an SRT race-inspired instrument design, and an optional Reconfigurable Display (RCD), with exclusive "performance pages" that provide lateral and longitudinal G-force, 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time and speed, 0-60 mph time and braking distance.

The Dodge Caliber SRT4's suspension is lowered 28mm in the front and 22mm in the rear, contributing to the unique SRT performance ride and handling characteristics. Chassis highlights include unique performance tuning, 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels and Goodyear three- or four-season performance tires.

Benchmark braking is delivered via four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with 340 x 28mm vented front rotors and 302 x 10mm rear rotors, with twin-piston aluminum front calipers.

And finally, a whopping 285 horsepower and tire-smoking 265 lb.-ft. of torque is delivered courtesy of Chrysler's 2.4-liter DOHC I-4 Turbo World Engine. An electronically tuned Brake Lock Differential and Getrag DMT-6 six-speed transmission help put the power to the ground.

2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 Pricing:

The 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is well-equipped and has a U.S. MSRP of $22,995 (including $560 destination).

Among the standard features included are: turbocharged 2.4-liter I-4 World engine with Dual Variable Valve Timing; Getrag DMT6 six-speed manual transmission; unique hood with functional air scoop; performance four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with vented front brake rotors; Electronic Stability Program; advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags; supplemental side window curtain air bag; driver inflatable knee blocker; air conditioning with particulate and odor air filter and Chill Zone™ beverage storage cooler; illuminated cup holders; 12-volt power outlet; 115-volt auxiliary power outlet; sliding armrest with cell phone holder; performance-oriented instrumentation including a center-mounted tachometer; sport seating with aggressive bolstering and performance fabric inserts and SRT-unique 19-inch cast aluminum painted wheels.

Popular Options

* Kicker/SRT Livin' Loud audio system (late availability) $1,190
* Power-express open/close sun roof $ 795
* 19 x 7.5-inch polished aluminum SRT wheels $ 400

The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is built at the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant on the same assembly line with the Dodge Caliber SE, SXT and R/T models, the Jeep® Compass and Jeep Patriot.

Dodge barrage continues

With more than 1.3 million vehicles sold globally in 2006, Dodge - Chrysler's best-selling brand - continues its product offensive for the 2008 model year with the all-new Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Caliber SRT4, and the new Dodge Viper SRT10, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Magnum SRT8.

Dodge is the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. Overall, Dodge has a 7-percent market share in the U.S.

Dodge continues to lead the minivan market with a 20-percent market share in the U.S. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 16-percent market share. Dodge is also entering key European volume segments with Nitro and Caliber.

Toyota Yaris Holds Top Spot; Infiniti Debuts

ATLANTA, GA - Gaywheels.com, the sole source of information specifically targeted to and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) car-shoppers, today announced its list of the Top 10 Most-Researched Vehicles during the second quarter of 2007. For the fourth straight quarter, the entry-level Toyota Yaris maintained the top position, while for the first time ever, a Nissan product, the Infiniti-branded FX sport-utility vehicle, joined the list.

Gaywheels.com Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles -April - June, 2007

1. Toyota Yaris
2. Saab 9-3 (sedan and convertible)
3. Mazda MX-5
4. Volkswagen Jetta
5. VW EOS
6. Dodge Caliber
7. Toyota Camry
8. Audi A3
9. VW Rabbit
10. Infiniti FX

We know the Caliber SRT-4 had an unveiling of sorts at the '06 Chicago Auto Show, but that was ages ago, and since then, nary a one has been seen sans fascia obscura. Well, seems that an anxious engineer doing some shakedown testing forgot something Saturday on the way to the Tigers game. The bizarre part is that it was left unattended in the only remaining area of downtown that's still shady. Perhaps they wanted this dashing biker to capture is against the gritty backdrop and post it to the interwebs for all to see - lazy marketing I like to say. Adding to the conspiracy, Sunday in Pontiac, I chased down a similary unobscured next gen Magnum SRT-8, now with 100% more Avenger like nose. Unfortunately motorcycles and cameras at high speed don't jive real well. You'll have to make do with a walkaround video and a galley of pics of the Caliber. – Ben Wojdyla

Related:
Startech Tunes Dodge Caliber, Still Not A Pig And Bear Edition

STARTECH Refines the Dodge Caliber

Sporty Design and Engine Tuning for the CRD Diesel

Tuning 'Made in Germany' for the Dodge Caliber: STARTECH offers a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement program, and engine tuning for the diesel model.

To add more sporty emphasis to the characteristic appearance of the Dodge Caliber the STARTECH designers have developed an aerodynamic-enhancement kit that adds to the compact car's striking design.

The STARTECH front fascia not only visually upgrades the front; it also reduces lift on the front axle.

The sides are given a more homogenous appearance with the STARTECH side body cladding that gives the Caliber a lower and sleeker appearance.

The rear of the Dodge can also undergo sporty modifications: The custom-tailored STARTECH lift-gate attachment continues the bullish contour of the rear fascia over the entire width of the rear. The rear fascia with stylized tailpipes left and right gives the Caliber a more powerful look. The fascia can be complemented with the STARTECH sport exhaust system. The rear spoiler is attached to the liftgate and stylishly rounds out the STARTECH designer suit.

For the Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD with common-rail turbodiesel engine STARTECH offers powerful and reliable power tuning that ups power output by 40 hp / 29.4 kW. The STARTECH SD3 performance kit consists of a plug-and-play control module that can be installed by any authorized Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealer in half an hour, thanks to an included custom wire harness. Like the production models the STARTECH-tuned Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD meets EURO IV emission limits.

With STARTECH SD3 tuning peak power output of the 2.0-liter common-rail four cylinder engine with Diesel particulate filter jumps from standard 140 hp / 103 kW to 180 hp / 132 kW at just 4,000 rpm. Even more important for everyday driving is the increase in peak torque from 310 Nm to 360 Nm between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Thus equipped sprint time from 0 - 100 km/h is shortened from 9.3 to 8.6 seconds. Top speed of the tuned Caliber diesel model increases to 201 km/h.

STARTECH offers a stainless-steel rear muffler with one oval tailpipe on either side for all engine variants of the Caliber. There are two versions, one to be combined with the STARTECH rear fascia and one for installation in combination with the stock bumper. The exhaust system lends the Caliber not only a more thrilling rear appearance but also a more powerful exhaust note.

STARTECH offers more driving fun in the form of custom-tailored modifications to the suspension of the Dodge. Progressive-rate springs precision-calibrated to the standard shocks lower the ride height of the vehicle by some 30 millimeters.

Wheels make a car and STARTECH offers various custom-tailored STARTECH Monostar tire/wheel combinations with 19- and 20-inch diameters for the Caliber. The palette of suitable Monostar IV five-spoke wheels ranges from size 8.5Jx19 all around with tires up to 245/40 R 19 in size to an especially exclusive version with size 9Jx20 wheels and 245/35 R 20 tires.

The STARTECH program also offers numerous customization options for the interiors of all Caliber models: The STARTECH Lifestyle interior package will go on sale in the near future.

Extravagant highlights can be added with striking STARTECH accessories: Polished aluminum serves as the material of choice for door-lock pins, shifter and foot pedals. Also available are high-quality floor mats with STARTECH signet.Related:
Startech to Bring Chrysler 300 CRD Tuner to Essen; Nothing On This World Left To Tune: Startech Takes On The Dodge Nitro [internal]

Dodge Caliber Pickup [CWWCarDesign.com]

Related:
Avengermino! The Dodge 1500 Pickup!; Wouldn't You Really Rather Have a Viper-Powered PT Cruiser? [internal]

Chrysler recalls thousands of '07 vehicles [Reuters]

Related:
Fire In The Sky: Chrysler Recalls Breezes, Stratuses, Cirruses; DCX Makes Emissions Settlement, Will Recall 1.5M Jeeps, Dodges [internal]

Here's an eBay overbid prank we haven't seen before. A Dodge Caliber AWD for the low, low price of $221,900! Er, not much more to say here. Bit of a hoot. That's all. Click through if you want, but it's just a silver Dodge. We can walk out to our driveway and look at one of those whenever we want.

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T, Part 1 [Internal]

Why you should buy this car: Some people still care about buying American, and maybe you're one of those people. Even if you're not, the Caliber is a solid all-around people- and cargo-hauler for a pretty affordable price. Plus, it will keep your fitness water cold for when you get back from that killer mountain bike or kayak trip, brah.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: It's not really that much fun to drive. There are nicer interiors at this price point. For the price of the R/T AWD you can buy a fun car like the Civic Si.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Nissan Versa
· Mazda3 5-door
· Volkswagen Rabbit

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Dodge
· Model tested: Caliber R/T AWD
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $19,985
· Price as Tested: $22,050
· Engine type: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 172 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 165 ft.-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Transmission: continuously variable
· Curb Weight: 3308 lbs
· LxWxH: 173.8 x 68.8 x 60.4 in
· Wheelbase: 103.7 in
· Tires: P215/60R17 Firestone Firehawk GTA 03
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 10.2 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 23 / 26
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 5/5 (driver/passenger); side: 5/5 (front/rear); rollover: 4 (FWD model)

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Exterior Design: ***
Unlike the polarizing design of the Dodge Magnum, the Caliber goes for universal opinion. Unfortunately that opinion is not very good. The Caliber does, however, succeed on two fronts: It's not girly, nor does it have the bland, jellybean-space-shuttle shape of other hatchbacks like the Mazda5 or Honda Fit.

Interior Design: ****
While some of the materials are, well, crap, the Caliber has a few novel features and a ton of space. The body color inserts on the seats and audio/HVAC stack are a nice touch as well.

Acceleration: ***
Neither strong nor weak, the Caliber simply gets the job done. The engine is quiet and, compared with other domestics' fours, very smooth. All-wheel-drive (optional in the tester, but standard on the R/T) ensures no wheel slippage.

Braking ***
ABS is standard, and "state-of-the-art electronics" help avoid the occasional rapidly approaching guardrail.

Ride ***
Plain vanilla (as opposed to special vanilla) defines the Caliber's ride. Some chassis flex occurs over bumps, along with a few ominous "thump" noises.

Handling ***
The Caliber feels as if, to paraphrase former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, corners were cut. The steering is vague, thanks in part to the AWD, and the soft suspension goes into understeer just comtemplating a fast corner.

Gearbox ****
Despite the attached numeral (two of what?), CVT2 is just a continuously variable transmission. Since it continuously (go figure) adjusts the gear ratio, there are no upshifts to sweat. Drivers unnerved by the stasis of revs can use the AutoStick manumatic feature, which can "shift" among six specific ratios.

Audio/Video ***
Figure this one out. The upgraded stereo does not have an aux input, despite the Caliber's highly advertised iPod-friendly storage slot in the armrest. But there are optional steering-wheel-mounted stereo controls, and the drop-down liftgate speakers are perfect for jamming out to Freedom Rock at the tailgate party.

Toys *****
The Caliber is loaded with toys, like the AC power adapter, rear speakers, and "Chill Zone" glove box. Even the rear dome light detaches to double as a flashlight. The only real bummer is the aforementioned iPod slot, which doesn't actually hold any iPods larger than the Nano. Austin's Blackberry 7100t phone fit perfectly, but it's more narrow than even fourth-generation iPods.

Trunk ****
Not only is it big, and not only do the rear seats fold down for more space, but the front passenger seatback folds down for especially lengthy cargo.

Value ****
The base Caliber, which starts at $13,985 (good luck finding one), is a lot of car for the money. The R/T, which costs in the low twenty-thousand dollar range with a few options, seems like less of a bargain, but it does have AWD, space, and all those features.

Overall ****
It all depends on your priorities. The Caliber is great as an entry-level people hauler, but the lead-footed would be more satisfied giving up some space and gadgets for something a little more fun to drive. In other words, the Caliber is a great car to recommend to your friends so they can help you move because your Miata's trunk is too small.

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T, Part 1, Part 3 [internal]

You've already read the review of the Jeep Compass (or at least you looked at the pictures). Well, the Dodge Caliber is a Jeep Compass with a Dodge grille grafted on. Actually it's the other way around. I'll just say the Dodge is the car DCX was supposed to build, while the Jeep is the botched-nose-job twin that made it to production because it "did well in the clinics."

But enough about the Compass, we're here with the Caliber, and trying our best to avoid any Dr. Evil Fembot-like puns. The Caliber follows up the Dodge Neon, which was launched under the oh-so-cute tagline of "Hi." That probably explains the "Anything But Cute" advertising message of the Caliber. But we didn't need an ad to tell us the Caliber is ugly, we can see it with our own eyes. Although it's a more awkward, Citroen CX kind of ugly rather than a what-were-they-thinking, Studebaker Avanti kind of ugly. [How dare you — ed.]

On a positive note, the Caliber is definitely not bland. And the exterior shape results in a spacious interior. The inside feels huge, although a large dashboard top is a shade too minivanlike for our tastes. The plastics, which reviewers have universally maligned, are not quite as bad as you'd think. They look great until you touch them and realize how horribly cheap they seem. But such is the compromise of a budget car (though the Caliber R/T we tested starts at $19,985). You could have nicer plastics, like a VW Rabbit or a Honda Civic, or you could have cool shit like body-color inserts in the seating and on the dash, a semi-refrigerated drink compartment, lighted cupholders, AC power, and flip-down rear speakers. It really depends on what you like, and if you like features, the Caliber has a ton of them.

Unfortunately, if you like driving, there are better choices than the Caliber. The Caliber goes about its transportation duties with a can-do approach. The 172-hp four-cylinder gets things moving quietly, but not exactly quickly, and it's likely either of the less-powerful engine choices struggle in this area. Part of the sluggish response — also somewhat evident in the steering — has to be due to the all-wheel-drive system. The continuously variable transmission also hides some driving sensations with its smoothness. Like the interior plastics, though, enthusiastic driving spotlights the budgetary trade-offs. From a market standpoint, that's probably a good idea. Budget-car consumers tend to focus on safety, features, and space, and the Caliber succeeds on all of those fronts.

Let's just say, if the wizards who built the Neon SRT-4 can make a similar transformation with the Caliber SRT-4, that car will be awesome. In the meantime, the Caliber presents itself as a solid entry in the compact-car market. [Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T, Part 2, Part 3 [internal]

Schneller gehen! Brabus's Chrysler-focused tuning brand, Startech, has added new performance products for every Mopar product that's made the leap to the old world. This time, it's the Dodge Caliber's skirt that's been hiked. Startech's new line of performance and cosmetic accessories would likely give Dr. Z that brain-bubbly feeling of German-American cooperation (also known as the Mercedes bends). On the performance end, they've fashioned a control module that boosts output of the 2.0-liter CRD diesel by 40 hp (to 180 hp) and torque from 229 to 266 lbs-ft. Like the company's other model-specific lines, stainless-steel exhaust, 19" and 20" Monostar wheels and an aero kit are also available.

Related:
More on Startech [internal]

...on both the dealer and the consumers by offering more...wait for it...incentives!

That's right, for just one week only, Chrysler will be offering $750 to $1,500 to customers who buy vehicles that haven't sold for at least 146 days. And that's on top of the employee pricing and 0% financing. But that just helps the consumer out — what about the dealers who now have to pay for the finacing costs? Well, Chrysler told dealers last week they'd help them foot the bill on financing costs for anything thats been sitting on the lot longer than 80 days.

Isn't that kind of Chrysler? Ask dealers to book those slow-sellers as sales, and then...when 3rd quarter numbers and August sales come out — look at all those sales they made. There's hardly any drop in light trucks. You know what Chrysler should have done, instead of dresisng up PR man Jason Vines at the United Way event yesterday? How about Tom LaSorda dressed up as a magician?

DCX puts dealers in a bind [Freep]

Related:
Chrysler Group CEO LaSorda Carries The Water Weight Of Unsold Trucks And SUVs Very Well [internal]

On a recent trip to Reno, I was "upgraded" to a 2007 Dodge Caliber by the good folks at Enterprise. (Having reserved an economy-class car, I was surprised that they would call the Caliber something other than that.) Approaching the car, my wife actually said it was "cute." I was expecting her to hate it, given Dodge itself calls the Caliber "Anything But Cute." I thought she'd much prefer the curvier Jeep Compass (which essentially is Pat to the Caliber's Hans and/or Franz). Fortunately, they didn't have a Jeep Compass on the lot.

There's plenty of shrinky-dink Dodge Magnum in the Caliber's looks, especially evident in the chopped roofline. It's a welcome change from the jellybean-like styling of the Neon. There certainly are plenty of lines to admire, if you're into lines.

The cockpit features pretty plasticky surroundings, which are cool looking in a low-budget, "Battlestar Galactica" kind of way. The center dash is finished in matte silver, which surrounds the stereo, HVAC and a series of cubby holes. The gauges are a gloss white with bright orange needles (an art-deco egg timer springs to mind). It was sort of distracting at first, since it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the design themes. These have an Indiglo light-up look at night, and the cup holders in the front light up like that too. Nice touch.

Be wary of the rear hatch; it goes for the KO every time you open it. I don't know if it was just this car with super powerful door lifters, but the Caliber's got a mean uppercut. The 3.5mm socket in the stereo helps avoid FM adapters while you rock out to Steely Dan on your iPod. The rear seats looked a little cramped, but actually weren't too awful. The 60/40 split is always good if you have a bunch of crap with you, and the Caliber back seats fold completely flat behind the fronts. They also have a tough plastic backing on them, so no fabric to wear down or rip.

This SXT-packaged car I had was equipped with the 2.0 liter four and the CVT transmission. I thought it revved a little too much under normal driving, but it would sit at about 3000 rpm doing 85. It accelerates well enough, but it's not really a blast to drive. It handles competently and feels comfy at highway speed, but that's the problem, comfy is as exciting as it gets. It doesn't beg you to drive it like it's rented. It just sort of goes where you point it and doesn't complain. However, making several trips over highway 80 and the Donner Pass, between Reno and Sacramento, I averaged 30 mpg. I was thinking it would return worse mileage numbers every time I filled up, but I was always wrong.

In the end, I think this is a great rental car, mostly because of things like the utility of the interior, the iPod plug-in and the better than expected gas mileage. If you're looking to buy, I'd say pass it up for a Honda Fit, or wait for the SRT-4 and get your hoon on. [by Tyler]

Related:
Jalopnik Rental-car Reacharound: 2006 Mercury Milan [internal]

In an orgasm of viral marketing, Dodge is spewing its virulent seed across the web hoping to infect as many Europeans as possible with a rash...a RamRash, that is. It's part of the automakers campaign to bring Dodge vehicles to the Euro Union, a plae the brand's been conspicuously absent from since...well...since forever. Now it's hoping to change all that with some good ol' fashioned viral vids. In addition to the one above (which incidentally has been floating around the web for a while), we've got the other five contagious commercials after the jump. Just watch out for the horns.

Dodge's rash Web ads spread like a virus [AutoWeek]

So the folks at Gaywheels.com decided to tally up the most-researched vehicles on their site, and guess which car came out on, um, er, top? Yes, boys and girls who like girls who like girls who like boys who like boys who like girls (or however that old Blur lyric goes), it's the Saturn Sky. The Lambda Kappa-platform-based roadster takes the prize. As the Gaywheels pointed out, the list isn't dominated by stereotypically-pricey vehicles, although we have a feeling that Spence wasn't one of the ones doing the research. On the other hand, CTE might've been. The list after the jump. [Thanks to Zerin for the tip.]

1. Saturn Sky
2. Toyota Yaris
3. Dodge Caliber
4. Volkswagen Jetta
5. Toyota Camry
6. Audi A3
7. Toyota Prius
8. Saab 9-3 (sedan and convertible)
9. Pontiac G6 (sedan, coupe and convertible)
10. Mazda MX-5

Also of note, the Caliber placed third, despite outcry from activists that its "Silly Little Fairy" ad was anti-gay. Maybe it's the turning-the-straight-guy factor that sold 'em.

Top 10 Researched Vehicles on Gaywheels.com [Gaywheels.com]

Related:
Are the Dodges Homophobes? [Internal]

Every one of the 1,000 new employees working on the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot will be a "temp" worker paid $8-an-hour less than their UAW co-workers. In addition, they'll have two-year contracts and have to wait eight months for health insurance benefits. Despite union leadership agreeing to the addition of the provision in the 2003 labor contract, we're guessing this probably won't go over too well with the 2,650 UAW rank-and-file employees at the factory.

At least their leadership's taking full responsibility. For instance, Bill Parker, president of UAW Local 1700 which covers the Belvidere plant, had this to say about the provision:

"My question is where are all these decisions being made?"

Glad to see the worker bees have someone they can count on to stick by their decisions — no matter how difficult.

Chrysler hires all-temps third shift at Ill. plant [Detroit News]

Related:
Breaking! GM Doing The Churn N' Burn — Hiring Temps To Replace Union Workers [internal]

Sure, why not name your genetically-gifted child after the bloodiest episode up to that point in American history? A skirmish in which the first Grand Wizard of the KKK grabbed a Union solider, yanked him up onto his horse and used him as a human shield to race back through the line. Meanwhile, U.S. Grant, who looked just like our pal Mike's Klansman neighbor Mister Somerville, was hobbling around on crutches aboard a gunboat. Oh, and Dodge is super-proud of their ad placement in the latest issue of People, having scored a deal to get three pages of paid ink in the midst of the story of the spawn of Brangelina. We're gonna go back to writing about the War of Northern Aggression now.

Related:
Ad Watch: Dodge's Higher Caliber Of Viral Video — Shoots Bear In Face, Eats Pig [Internal]

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

Related:
Pig And Bear Think It's Time For A Contest — An IPod For Their Thoughts? [internal]

Ok, here's the deal — we've created a little picture frame of Pig and Bear looking awfully concerned over something their anything-but-cute friend Caliber has done or will be doing. But take note, there's a big empty thought bubble above their heads. Your job — if you choose to accept it — is to send us a photo back of the Dodge Caliber doing some kind of dastardly deed to drop into this frame. Don't own a Caliber? Well, head on down to your local dealership and set the scene up in style — they may not care, and we certainly don't! The only thing we care is that you make something funny, like — have Caliber running over the VW Fast — or have two Calibers dressed up as Pig and Bear — whatever you think is gonna get you the win. Just don't break any laws, k? The winner will be chosen by your friendly neighborhood Jalopnik editors from entries received at tips@jalopnik.com by Monday, June 12th at noon. And for your hard work, the winner will receive — in addition to us sending the winning pic over to the boys and girls at BBDO for display in their office — you'll also be getting a shiny black iPod Nano. Now get to work, kids — your nano is waiting, and you don't want someone else to win, do you?

Contest Fine Print [Gawker Media]

New survey results from KBB and Harris interactive show new-car shoppers seem to think the "anything but cute" Dodge Caliber is being hyped to death (it was the fairy, wasn't it?). It's high on the new study's buzz scale, but low on the "I'm interested in buying it" scale — though strong sales belie such interpretations. On the flip side, the Mercedes GL scores high in interest, but low on buzz, despite a major ad campaign with spots currently in heavy rotation on TV. Nonetheless, the two most buzzworthy cars, according to the study, were the Saturn Sky and Toyota FJ Cruiser, two models the media's been googley-eyed over since nearly ever. Let's look at it in our own, geek-intensive terms: Google results:

Toyota FJ Cruiser: 1,810,000
Dodge Caliber: 1,430,000
Saturn Sky: 665,000
Mercedes GL: 280,000

What say you, oh wise Jalops?

Buzz Buggies

Related:
It's An Exclusive Marketing Blitz! Advance Copies Of Four Commercials For The Dodge Caliber! [internal]

Looks like Pig & Bear were able to finally get theirs — NHTSA took a brand new Dodge Caliber and smashed the crap out of it just to rate how well it withstood the impact. Lo and behold, it received 5 stars for taking it in the face like the little slut of a CUV it is — proving even if he had taken Pig & Bear to the meadow, he'd have taken them there safely in the front seats and in a frontal collision at 35 mph. Yup, this li'l whore is anything but cute — and Pig & Bear can finally rest in peace.

2007 Dodge Caliber 4-DR. w/SAB [safercar.gov]

Related:
Ad Watch: Dodge's Higher Caliber Of Viral Video — Shoots Bear In Face, Eats Pig [internal]

BBDO already created a silly li'l set of ads to sell Dodge's Caliber CUV — and now, thanks to an enterprising reader we see they've got some silly li'l viral video to go with it. Watch three friends — bear, pig and Caliber — enjoy a lovely afternoon trip to the meadow to dance and sing. What could possibly go wrong? Well, since the Caliber is "anything but cute" there's always the possibility the Caliber could shoot the bear, mount his head on a wall and then cook up the pig as a nice n' tasty ham. We mean, that's one option — right?

Related:
It's An Exclusive Marketing Blitz! Advance Copies Of Four Commercials For The Dodge Caliber! [internal]

• Men, average age of 39.
• Likes import brands.
• Watches late-night television and spends loads of time surfing the internet.
• Randomly have like, money flowing out of their tightly clenched euro bums, because they're gonna need 18,800 euros worth of disposable income to buy this "entry-level" sports wagon.

Also it probably wouldn't hurt if they could translate episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard to euro-speak.

Daimler takes plunge in Europe with Dodge brand [Detroit News]

Related:
Ford Diesel Eight Enters Production in England [internal]

Chrysler stops discount for Caliber [CNN/Money]

Related:
You Get Zero Percent Financing, And You Get Zero Percent Financing! [internal]

about the not-as-nice-as-Neon replacement. It had the awesome iPod holder in the arm rest, but didn't seem to have an aux input jack for us to plug it into the radio. It appeared if you wanted to rock the Brit alt-rock from your iPod, you'd have to drop an extra arm or leg for some kind of optional add-on. Seeking confirmation for this silly li'l option issue, we went to Dodge's Caliber web site.

We found something really odd. It seems the base model has the aux input jack, but the advanced add-on options of "AM/FM Radio with Cassette, CD, 6-Disc Changer & MP3" (an extra $420) and the "AM/FM Stereo Radio w/In-Dash 6-Disc CD/MP3 Player" (an extra $320) don't have jack when it comes to aux jacks. WTF? Aren't you supposed to get more options when you pay more money? This appears to be one of those cases where mo' money paid means mo' problems made. Puffy and Biggie were right.

Related:
Apple of My Car: iPods for New Vehicles [internal]

DATELINE, NOW: The "Geely Copywriter" has apparently struck again, this time on the Web. In the latest attack, a Dodge Web site promoting the 2007 Caliber was defaced by misspellings. Sources say "GC," as he's known is the obvious suspect in the incident, during which letter transpositions occurred in two words in plain view of visitors of the site. More news as it happens. [Thanks to Jon for the tip]

Related:
Oh Fudge! More Geely Humor Found in Translation [internal]

The ads play up stylistic elements the Chrysler Group team hopes will differentiate the 2007 Dodge Caliber from other "CUV class" vehicles like the Pontiac Vibe and Ford Edge. The campaigns' tagline is "Anything But Cute," which leaves open a mess of adjectives that may or may not be associative with the Caliber (farcical, wine dark, lugubrious). I dunno, y'all tell us what you think after you take a look at the following Dodge-y goodness...

We've got two "mainstream" ads, one "urban theme" ad and one "spanish-speaking" commercial here for ya to gaze at. Let's start with the two "mainstream" ads, the first one is called "Moon Dog" and features a dog well...you'll have to see it for yourself. The second ad is called "Too Tough" and is probably the most funny of the four (Sorry about the sound. You may have to boost your speakers a bit):

The third ad is an "urban theme" and shows off some of the interesting features of the 2007 Caliber including an iPod holder, a "Chill Zone" for bottled water and of course, the "Musicgate", which allows you to blast music from your rear end. (By the way, turn your speakers down again...don't want ya bustin' your ear drums.) So here's the third ad, "Wave":

The fourth ad is for our hombres who speak the words of a language that sounds so amazingly hot when we hear them shouted over our heads mid-coitus. Yup, its an ad entirely in Spanish, and it's called "Boxer". Nuff said:

Dodge Set for Marketing Launch of All-New 2007 Caliber [PRNewswire]

Related:
No Pricing On The Dodge Caliber SRT4. But Hey, They've Got Themselves A Website! [internal]

DODGE CALIBER SRT4 [Dodge]

Related:
First Look: Dodge Caliber SRT-4 [internal]

The Dodgies made a semi-big deal about the Caliber's Cool Chill Zone, a glove-cum-icebox large enough to hold four 20oz drink bottles when doin' one Dew just ain't Xtreme enough, brah. Interestingly, a reader pointed out that in the available Official Dodge Wallpapers for the Caliber, the Chill Zone and its attendant conventional glove compartment feature Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht's Worst Case-Scenario Survival Handbook, which they used to sell at the Restoration Hardware where our ex-fianc worked. Man, we totally should've bought that book back then. Draw your own karmic conclusions.

Dodge Caliber [Dodge]

Related:
Dodge Charger Gets Urban Cred [Internal]

Dodge released photos of its new Caliber SRT-4 it plans to unveil later this morning in Chicago. No wimpmongers, them, they've created a 300hp monster that completely obliterates memory of the Neon family it replaces, even in its own SRT trim. How'd they do it? Nope, not a Hemi. All that juice — including sub-six-second zero-to-60 tiimes — comes from a turbocharged and otherwise tricked-out version of the company's 2.4-liter four-banging world engine. Oh, did we mention it's four-wheel-drive. Yep. Did someone say LS6 Cobalt? [Update: Sorry kids, 4WD was just a rumor. It's front-wheel.]

Related:
More on the Caliber [internal]

Goodbye Neon, hello Dodge Caliber. Dodge's new, entry-level rocker had its close-up earlier this week. With an MSRP of $13,985, including destination, it's actually cheaper than the erstwhile Neon at base, though we'd imagine Dodge will offer a million ways for buyers to boost the price well into the $20,000s. An unusual blend of utility and econobox, the Caliber is no beauty, but it's sorta handsome in the way a well-designed pair of channel-lock pliers look in a toolbox. The model range starts with the Caliber SE, which includes a 148 hp 1.8-liter four linked to a five-speed manual tranny and goes up to the R/T (don't get excited, it's not Hemified), which gets a 172-hp 2.4-liter four with dual VVT, continuously variable CVT2 transmission with AutoStick, anti-lock brakes, sport-suspension, performance steering and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Related:
First Calibers Roll Off the Line [internal]

Ray over at DetroitWonk was out and about today when he spotted a CRD-powered Dodge Caliber. With his friend manning (or womanning) the camera, they chased down Dodge's Neon replacement. While the diesel Caliber's been bandied about for Europe, and it could just be hometown testing, we wonder if it may well yet make it to US roads. Ray commented to us that the driver didn't seem too happy, and at one point reached 70mph in a futile effort to avoid the long lens of the Wonk.

2007 Dodge Caliber - In the Wild and Un-Masked! [DetroitWonk]

Related:
First Calibers Roll Off the Line [Internal]