Acceleration

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
3	3	2	7	4.9

Non-SRT4 Calibers are adequate at best. A manual-transmission SE did 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds in our test. It required frequent shifting for best acceleration and had slightly notchy shift action. In CVT-equipped models, throttle response is good around town but lackluster at highway speeds. One test SE suffered from ragged throttle response while the engine was warming up. It went away once it reached normal operating temperature. AWD R/Ts feel particularly sluggish. Dodge says the SRT4 does 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds, but it doesn't feel that fast. The SRT4 needs high rpm for best acceleration, and there is some turbo lag.

Fuel Economy

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
6	7	7	5	6.5

In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission SE averaged 21.9 mpg in driving that included gas-eating performance runs. Test SXT with CVT averaged 24.8 mpg, and an AWD R/T averaged 23.3. Our extended-use SXT with CVT averaged 24.8 mpg during its 10,952-mile test. An SRT4 averaged 21.0 mpg. Dodge recommends premium-grade gas for the SRT4. All other Calibers use regular.

Ride Quality

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
4	5	5	3	5

SE is busy with poor bump absorption, resulting in minor vibrations felt through the steering wheel and gas pedal. SXT and R/T are more compliant overall but still a bit jittery over broken pavement. SRT4 is the stiffest of all Calibers, but it's never unyielding.

Steering/Handling/Braking

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
5	5	6	7	5.9

SE exhibits moderate body lean while cornering, but its modest-sized tires squeal early in fast turns. SXT's larger tires quell cornering noise and improve traction. Steering is nicely weighted but somewhat dull in road feel. Brakes have good pedal feel. The AWD R/T is better on all counts, with slightly less body lean, sharper steering response, firmer brake pedal feel. SRT4 is the best handling model despite a lack of AWD. However, traction in fast starts and aggressive cornering are subpar among sporty compact cars.

Quietness

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
3	4	3	3	4.4

Moderate wind rush, but mediocre suppression of road noise. Engines intrude during acceleration, particularly the turbocharged engine in the SRT4. Tire noise is also much higher in that version. The 158-hp version is the quietest overall, but that's not saying much.

Controls

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
6	7	7	6	5.7

Large gauges are easy to read. Most models have a large speedometer in the center of the instrument cluster. SRT4 puts the tachometer there and moves the speedometer to a smaller dial to the right. That makes the speedometer tougher to read at a glance. Large, simple audio and climate controls are within easy reach, though the transmission shifter can partially block access to the climate dials. Caliber's available fold-down speakers in the liftgate are a picnic plus.

Details

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
2	2	2	3	5.2

Low-rent, hard plastics cover most parts of Caliber's cabin. Padded surfaces are non-existent. SRT4 models have a slightly dressier cabin with better detail work than other Calibers, though it still significantly trails the MazdaSpeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI. On our extended-use SXT, the colors of the plastic panels weren't uniform, further cheapening the interior appearance.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.7

Ample headroom and legroom. The cloth seats lack a lumbar adjuster, and thus are short on lower-back support. SRT4 versions have leather-trimmed sport bucket seats with prominent side bolsters. While those seats are more supportive, the bolsters can make it harder to shift the transmission. The seats are also thick enough to constrict access to the levers for height and lumbar adjustment. The height-adjustable driver seat aids driver positioning, but it's unavailable on the SE. The center-console armrest slides fore and aft, and the cover flips to reveal a built-in holder for a cell phone or MP3 player. The holder interferes with the manual-transmission shift lever. Outward visibility to all directions is restricted by thick roof pillars, especially to the rear corners. Entry and exit are constricting for six-footers.

Room/Comfort (rear)

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
4	4	4	4	4.1

Decent headroom with great foot space. Legroom is OK for those under 6-feet tall, even with the front seats nearly fully aft. The seat is uncomfortably soft and flat. The seatback reclines on the SXT and R/T. Egress is hindered by narrow door openings.

Cargo Room

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
7	7	7	7	5

Caliber's cargo area is larger than that of a typical hatchback, but smaller than some compact wagons. Its removable plastic load floor is easy to clean, but allows objects to slide around. The open liftgate won't clear a six-footer's head. Split rear seatbacks are easy to fold, but don't lay flat if the front seat is all the way back. Small-item storage is decent thanks to a large two-tier glovebox and a moderately sized console, though the door map pockets are too small to be really useful. Note that air-conditioned models include a chilled glovebox compartment.

Value within Class

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
6	7	6	5	6

Like the similar-concept Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, Caliber boasts a sportier look and greater utility than the traditional compact station wagon. Noisy, weak engines on most models are drawbacks, and the budget-grade cabin decor wins no prizes. Against those negatives, count competitive prices, available all-wheel drive, smart packaging, and some clever convenience features. The SRT4 has the most go of any Caliber, and it's priced reasonably. At the same time, it's far less refined than other "hot hatchbacks" such as the MazdaSpeed 3 or Volkswagen GTI.

Total Score

SE, manual	SXT, CVT	AWD R/T	SRT4	Class Average
51	56	54	55	58.4

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		50
Average Score		58
High Score		71