2007 Dodge Caliber: Tester's Comments
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2007 Dodge Caliber ▼
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- MSRP: $13,725 -$19,920
- Invoice: $12,900 -$18,537
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2007 Dodge Caliber. See if the 2007 Dodge Caliber is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | SXT |
| Arrival Date: | 11/06/2006 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door wagon |
| Transmission: | CVT automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 15,425 |
| Price as Tested: | 18,625 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 4324 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 4905 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 581 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 23.377 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 24.85 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat Exterior Paint, Sunburst Orange Seat Insert, Preferred Package 24E (Sport Interior Group, Color-Keyed Instrument Panel, Cloth Seats with Color-Keyed Insert, Fog Lamps, 17" Aluminum Wheels), MusicGate Power Sound System (2 Articulating Liftgate Speakers, Boston Acoustics Speakers with Subwoofer, Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel), CVT, Anti-Lock Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes,Cruise Control
From the Back Seat
Ed Piotrowski
Caliber is a car where I both do and don't understand its appeal. On the one hand, it's sharp looking with good cargo room and reasonable pricing (provided you keep a lid on the options). On the other hand, it's slow, has poor visibility, and merely mediocre fuel economy. Overall, this is a vehicle that's only slightly better than the sum of its parts. Dodge is selling every one they can build, which is good news for them and the State of Illinois as it keeps the Belvidere assembly plant humming.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2007 Dodge Caliber long-term |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | SXT |
| Arrival Date: | 05/23/2007 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door wagon |
| Transmission: | CVT automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 15,575 |
| Price as Tested: | 18,655 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 68 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 11020 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 10952 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 437.452 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 24.8 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat Exterior Paint, YES Essentials Cloth Bucket Seats, Customer Preferred Package 24D (Security Alarm, Soft Tonneau Cover, Air Filtering), Electronic Stability Program with Brake Assist, Front Seat Side Airbags, Luxury Front and Rear Floor Mats, CVT, Sirius Satellite Radio
From the Back Seat
Chuck Giametta
Caliber's masculine good looks go a long way toward offsetting its deficits. The styling means men won't be ashamed to drive an entry-level wagon, a situation that keeps males out of some worthy competitors that lack Caliber's cut contours. Functionally, the Caliber SXT rides and handles well enough, and has cargo-carrying versatility you won't get in a compact sedan. Neither man nor woman, however, can escape this little Dodge's cheap-feeling interior, terrible rear-seat comfort, and engines that are either noisy, underpowered, or both.
Damon Bell
Unique styling, wagon utility, and budget pricing are Caliber assets. The Rubbermaid interior, noisy engine, pokey performance, mediocre ride, and poor rear visibility are Caliber demerits.
Ed Piotrowski
On the one hand, Caliber's rugged good looks, solid versatility, many available safety and convenience features, and budget-friendly entry-level pricing leave little doubt as to why it's been such a success for Dodge. On the other hand, it's slow, difficult to see out of, has only so-so fuel economy, and is constructed of extraordinarily cheap-looking materials. If your ideal auto puts form over function, this Dodge is probably worth a look. Otherwise, there are any number of subcompact and compact hatchbacks that are more dynamically sound than Caliber, all at the same or cheaper price point.
Jack Stewart
The Caliber lacks refinement, but has a good interior and cargo room.
Jack Stewart
Poor interior materials compensated by generous interior and cargo room. If you value utility over luxury, Caliber is a strong contender in the compact field.
Jennifer Geiger
ugh.
Jennifer Glowicki
While this car has available AWD and a good overall price, some of the models lack the standard safety features that many of its competitors have (ABS, traction/antiskid control, and front side airbags are optional). This car is also overly loud in terms of road and wind noise, which are muffled by the persistent engine groan. Another deterrent is Caliber's interior. Plainly stated, it's cheap feeling and ugly looking.
John Biel
Niche models like the all-wheel-drive R/T and the upcoming SRT4 "factory hot rod" give the Caliber some things that help it stand out in the crowd. More mainstream versions, like the SXT in this test, aren't as distinctive from the rest of the pack in this class, though, and may not bowl over shoppers.
Matt Jaster
For a young, single new car buyer, the Caliber might be a suitable option, but there are plenty of better alternatives like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. The exterior looks impressive, but once you get inside it's sort of a letdown.
Rick Cotta
Caliber certainly has its strengths--most notably in passenger room and available features--but those are countered by timid acceleration, a disconcerting lack of visibility, and lots of unpleasant bump noise and engine whine. Yes, it's a visual standout in the sea of low-cost cars, but at virtually any price point it covers, I can think of others I'd rather drive.
Sikora Don
I have mixed emotions on this car. The interior is roomy, but it isn't an especially attractive place to spend time. The small wagon cargo capabilities and hatchback flexibility are better than a small sedan when you need to carry items a little larger than you usually do, but the plastic load floor lets a couple bags of stuff from the store slide around. The styling certainly looks different than a generic small sedan, but there are surprisingly big blind spots when you're in the driver's seat. Caliber has its strong points, but the car would have benefited from more time spent polishing the details.
Tom Appel
I had a pedal car with a nicer interior than this Caliber--and that's a shame. Our long-term tester rides and handles surprisingly well, and the price is very attractive. But the yards of poorly finished hard plastic that line this car really hurt its appeal. Caliber's value price and functional design should attract entry-level shoppers en mass, but no one coming out of a Honda Civic will give it a second look.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2007 Dodge Caliber |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | R/T |
| Arrival Date: | 05/12/2006 |
| Engine: | dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door wagon |
| Transmission: | CVT automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | Yes |
| Base Price: | 19,425 |
| Price as Tested: | 23,765 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 4005 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 4985 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 980 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 41.394 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 23.67 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Driver Convenience Group, MusicGate Power Sound System, Power Sunroof, Chrome Wheels, SIRIUS satellite radio, Leather Interior Group, Uconnect
From the Back Seat
Chuck Giametta
agree.
Kirk Bell
I think Dodge has swung and missed. Cost-cutting abounds in this car. The doors close with a hollow clang, the interior materials and gaps are among the worst on the market, there is even a screw-in whip antenna. Plus there is no engine offering that provides good, usable power, a la the PT Cruiser's low-pressure turbo. Add all that to the fact that our tester cost $21K withouth leather and I'll take a much nicer, better built Mazda 3 hatchback, Toyota Matrix, or Pontiac Vibe, thank you very much. I'd lower this rating to a 5, and it's only that high in recognition of its practical nature, decent ride and handling, and nice, if not powerful, powertrain.
Mark Bilek
Caliber offers buyers get a decent car with lots of features. Engine/transmission and interior materials could have used a year or two more development, but still, there's nothing that is going to turn off buyers. There are better choices (Chevy HHR, Kia Spectra5, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix), but the Caliber is a huge improvement over Neon.
Tom Appel
I don't like this car. Though high-wagon practical in concept, the rakish roofline compromises too much visibility and comfort for the sake of style. The lack of power is another problem. A shame, because four-door hatches otherwise make a lot of sense. In this class I still really like the aging Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix duo.
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