2009 Dodge Caliber SE FWD hatchback 5-door manual

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The Caliber redefines the entry-level sedan with bold styling and versatility that by most standards would define it as a crossover SUV. The design features the classic 2-box proportions of an SUV, but the roof peaks just over the driver and slopes downward towards the rear hatch, giving the Caliber a much sleeker look than a typical SUV. The 5-door hatchback Caliber expected to be the basis for a number of new cars coming from the Chrysler group over the next several years.

Dodge replaced the compact Neon sedan with the Caliber hatchback for the 2007 model year. The Caliber would best be described as an alternative approach to the compact-car segment. The seating position is high, the five-door configuration offers cargo-carrying versatility and there are a number of unique design touches such as a glove-box drink cooler—of dubious functionality—a special center console holder for your cell phone and available swing-down tailgate speakers.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber adds the availability of connect tunes and connect gaps and the Music Gate Power Sound Group is standard on the Caliber SXT Sport. Fuel economy for the Caliber SE improves with the 1.8-liter engine and an EPA rating of 24/30 mpg city/hwy. The Caliber SRT4 adds new standard equipment that includes SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Performance Pages reconfigurable display; connect tunes and Electronic Vehicle Information Center.

Highs: Acceleration, exhaust note, hatchback versatility, interior storage features.
Lows: Ride, noise, shifter and clutch, driving position, fit and finish.

This small four-door hatchback has a raised seating position similar to that of a small SUV. Interior fit and finish is sub par, and the styling impedes visibility, but there are some clever interior storage features. The ride is sound but unexceptional, and handling is lackluster but ultimately secure. The continuously variable transmission works well, but both the 2.0-liter SXT and 2.4-liter AWD R/T we tested lacked punch, and fuel economy was not impressive. Both engines are noisy. Dodge has dropped the AWD model for 2009. There are better hatchbacks available. A quick but crude 285-hp SRT4 is also available.

All the available engines are inline-fours. The SE ($13,925) comes standard with the 1.8-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission. The 2.0-liter engine is optional ($150) and it must be order with the CVT automatic ($1000), which comes with antilock brakes. (All NCTD prices are MSRP, do not include destination charges, and can change at any time without notice.)

According to KBB Editors'

As fuel costs continue to fluctuate, small cars are increasingly required to be more than just frugal commuters. Few vehicles had better epitomize this trend than the 2009 Dodge Caliber, a combination hatchback, wagon and SUV. Dodge's most affordable offering, the Caliber is no bargain-basement car. Models range from a fuel-efficient economy car to a powerful all-wheel-drive variant and include such appealing options as a flip-down rear speaker bar, built-in bipod holder and a refrigerated beverage cooler, features you will not find on the Volkswagen Rabbit or MAZDA3. Then again, the plastics used to form the interior are not as sophisticated or handsome as those inside the VW and Mazda, an important issue for many perceptive young buyers.

Options

AM/FM Stereo
Additional Power Outlet(s)
Air Bag - Driver
Air Bag - Passenger
Air Bag-Side-Head only Rear
Air Bags - Head
Bucket Seats
CD player
Cloth Seats
Engine Immobilizer/Vehicle Anti-Theft System
Front Disc Brakes
Front Wheel Drive
Intermittent Wipers
MP3 Sound System
Mirrors-Vanity-Driver
Mirrors-Vanity-Passenger
Power Steering
Rear Defrost
Rear Seat Heat Ducts
Seat-Rear Pass-Through
Spoiler
Tilt Wheel
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
Wheels-Steel
Wheels-Wheel Covers
Wipers-Variable Speed Intermittent

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES

Speakers: four
CD player
Radio data system
MP3 decoder
AM/FM radio

SEATS AND TRIM

Front seats: bucket
Front center armrest: w/storage
Split folding rear seat
Rear seats: bench
Max seating capacity: five

WARRANTY

Corrosion perforation warranty: 60 months/100,000miles
Basic warranty: 36 months/36,000miles
Roadside assistance coverage: 36 months/36,000miles
Power train warranty: unlimited months/ unlimited distance

CONVENIENCE FEATURES

Front upholders
Rear upholders
Passenger door bin
Passenger vanity mirror
Driver vanity mirror
Driver door bin
Air conditioning
Tilt steering wheel

BODY EXTERIOR

Spoiler
Bumpers: body-color

LIGHTING, VISIBILITY AND INSTRUMENTATION

Low tire pressure warning
Variably intermittent wipers
Rear window wiper
Outside temperature display
Rear window defroster

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Overhead airbag
Ignition disable
Dual front impact airbags
ABS brakes
Occupant sensing airbag
Knee airbag

POWERTRAIN

Engine liters: 2.0
Torque: 141 lb.-ft. @ 5,000RPM
Cylinder configuration: I-4
Variable valve control
Fuel economy highway: 27mpg
Sequential multi-point fuel injection
Variable intake manifold
Number of valves: 16
Recommended fuel: regular unleaded
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
Horsepower: 158hp @ 6,400RPM
Fuel tank capacity: 14gal.
Fuel economy city: 23mpg
Drive type: front-wheel

SUSPENSION/HANDLING

Rear tires: 205/70TR15.0
Rear anti-roll bar
Power steering
Front tires: 205/70TR15.0
Front anti-roll bar
Four wheel independent suspension
Wheel size: 15"

SPECS AND DIMENSIONS

Exterior body width: 1,748mm (68.8")
Exterior length: 4,415mm (173.8")
Rear hip room: 1,260mm (49.6")
Compression ratio: 10.50 to 1
Engine horsepower: 158hp @ 6,400RPM
Rear legroom: 907mm (35.7")
Engine displacement: 2.0 L
Rear headroom: 988mm (38.9")
Engine torque: 141 lb.-ft. @ 5,000RPM
Passenger volume: 2,696L (95.2 cuff.)
Exterior height: 1,534mm (60.4")
Wheelbase: 2,634mm (103.7")
Front legroom: 1,062mm (41.8")
Rear shoulder room: 1,356mm (53.4")
Engine bore x stroke: 86.0mm x 86.0mm (3.39" x 3.39")
Turning radius: 5.4m (17.7')
Front shoulder room: 1,377mm (54.2")
Front hip room: 1,326mm (52.2")
Towing capacity: 454kg (1,000lbs)
Front headroom: 1,011mm (39.8")

Available Standard Equipment Are:-

Front and rear side-curtain airbags
Inflatable knee blocker
A four-speaker AM/FM/CD/AUX sound system
Sliding armrest with cellphone/MP3-player holder
Tilt steering
Illuminated cup holders
Rear-window defroster and wiper
15-inch covered steel wheels and manual windows
Door locks and mirrors
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
Air conditioning with Chill Zone storage compartment
Split folding rear seats
Cruise control
Stain Repel stain resistant seat fabric
115-volt outlet
17-inch aluminum wheels
Removable cargo light
Power functions for the windows
Door locks and mirrors

Colors:-

Exterior Colors

These are the colors typically available for this vehicle. Color options may change during the model year.

Deep Water Blue Pearl coat
Light Sandstone Metallic Clear coat
Surf Blue Pearl coat
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl coat
Bright Silver Metallic Clear coat
Sunburst Orange Pearl coat
Stone White Clear coat
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl coat

Interior Colors

Pastel Pebble Beige
Dark Slate Gray

Comparison between Dodge Caliber SE FWD hatchback Vs Small Cars:-

Basic Results: (vs. small cars)

Retail Price (MSRP): $16,460 (average: $24,317)
Fuel Economy (City): 24 mpg. (Average: 22.13 mpg.)
NHTSA Driver Front Crash Test: 5 star(s) (average: 4.49 star(s))

Standout Results: (vs. small cars)

Power train Warranty: Unlimited months/Unlimited miles (average: 68 months/76,919 miles)
NHTSA Rear Side Crash Test: Five star(s) (average: 4.35 star(s))
Power to Weight Ratio: 20 lb/hp (average: 17.05 lb/hp)
Basic Warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles (average: 40 months/41,034 miles)

Specification:-

Standard Engine

Engine: 1.8 L in-line4
Cc: 1,798
Fuel type: unleaded

Power

Maximum power kW: 110
Maximum power hp/PS: 148
Rpm for maximum power: 6,500
Maximum torque Nm: 170
Maximum torque lb ft: 125
Rpm for maximum torque: 5,200

Standard Transmission

Transmission type: manual
Number of speeds: five
Sports or close ratio: No
Manual mode (auto only): No

Fuel Economy

Urban (L/100km): 8.3
Country/highway (L/100km): 6.6
Combined (L/100km): 7.5
Urban (mpg): 28
Country/highway (mpg): 36
Combined (mpg): 31

Performance

Maximum speed (km/h): No Data
Maximum speed (mph): No Data
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: No Data
Acceleration 0-60 mph: No Data

Comfort & Convenience

Power windows: Not Available
Power locks: Not Available
Cruise control: Optional
Sunroof: Not Available
Navigational systems: Not Available
Telemetric: Not Available
Trip computer: Not Available
Height adjustable pedals: Not Available
Tachometer: Not Available
Air conditioning: Not Available
Climate control: No Data
Rear control for climate control: No Data
Seating capacity: five

Entertainment

Includes radio: Standard
Includes cassette: Not Available
Includes single CD: Standard
CD changer: No Data
CD changer capacity: No Data
CD player reads MP3: Standard
MP3 player: Not Available
DVD: Not Available
Video player: No Data

Safety Features

Electronic traction control: Not Available
Stability control: Not Available
Collision warning system: Not Available
First aid kit: No Data
Low tire pressure indicator: Standard

Airbags

Driver: Standard
Passenger: Standard
Occupant sensors: Standard
Side airbag: Not Available

Brakes & Traction

ABS: Optional
Electronic brake distribution: Not Available
Brake assists system: Not Available

Warranties
Warranty: Whole Vehicle

Duration (months): 36
Distance (km): 60,000
Distance (miles): 37,300

Warranty: Power train

Duration (months): 60
Distance (km): 100,000
Distance (miles): 62,100

Warranty: Anti-Corrosion

Duration (months): 36
Distance (km): Unlimited
Distance (miles): Unlimited

Warranty: Paint

Duration (months): No Data
Distance (km): No Data
Distance (miles): No Data

Warranty: Full Service

Duration (months): No Data
Distance (km): No Data
Distance (miles): No Data

Warranty: Roadside Assistance

Duration (months): 60
Distance (km): 100,000
Distance (miles): 62,100

Topics:

2009