2007 Dodge Caliber Test Drive

My motto in life is expect the worst and hope for the best. When it comes to compact cars, I keep my expectations low since the car's price dictates that the features I want won't be offered. The 2007 Dodge Caliber surprised me with plenty of innovative elements at a reasonable price. The Caliber SE starts at $13,985, the SXT is $15,985, and the R/T is a reasonable $19,985. All Calibers feature a 7-year/70,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and 3-year/36,000-mile basic coverage.

First Glance: Dodge's cure for the gas-price blues

The compact car segment is on the upswing. As soon as gas prices rise, the size of cars drops. Just look at what's coming for 2007, and you'll see entry-level sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks are hitting hard.

Dodge's popular Neon was one of the oldest vehicles in its lineup, and now the Neon name has become a part of Dodge history. Enter the Caliber, a compact vehicle that Dodge feels will bring emotion back into the segment. The Caliber is a five-door vehicle that offers the functionality of an SUV with the looks of a sleek coupe. That's accomplished via a black graphic applique that runs from front to rear, helping to mask the dimensions a bit so you can't tell from the outside that the Caliber is actually 4 inches taller than the Neon it replaces.

The headlights and taillights are big and bold, and the large signature crosshairs grille combined with pronounced wheel flares give the vehicle substance that's usually lacking in low-priced products. There's no question this is a Dodge; the family styling cues are there: a shorter greenhouse (the glass area) and a more raked (slanted) windshield, which deliver a sportier overall appearance. It's attractive, unique, and should appeal to a wide range of buyers.

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In the Driver's Seat: Chillin' out

Some of the most innovative features are found inside the Caliber. If the vehicle has air conditioning, it will get the Chill Zone Box™, which provides a cool storage area in the lower glovebox to keep your drinks cold. I used it to chill a chocolate bar that had melted, and it worked great. I loved the standard removable/rechargeable cargo lamp/flashlight that will come in handy more times than I can imagine. And I appreciated the sliding center armrest lid that incorporates a unique flip pocket for easy storage of a cell phone or iPod.

But my favorite feature is the MusicGate Power™ feature, which comes with the optional 9-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system. There are two speakers located in the tailgate. When you're at the park, the beach, or anywhere you have a tailgate party, just swing the speakers down, and, bam, instant boom box. The sound quality is awesome, and this feature alone is worth the price of the vehicle. The only thing I would have liked is a bit more bling on the speakers. They were dressed in the plastic trim of the door panel. Slap some chrome and color on there, and rock on. I didn't even get to talk about the cool illuminated cup holders, either!

On the Road: Not as much fun as I hoped...

As much as I love the exterior and interior, the driving experience fell a bit short. The Calibers are powered by Chrysler's new "World Engines," consisting of 1.8-, 2.0-, and 2.4-liter four-cylinder powerplants that will be shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The 1.8 that's standard on the SE and SXT makes 148 hp; the 158-hp 2.0 is available on both those models, and the R/T gets the 172-hp 2.4-liter engine. The SE and SXT are matched to a 5-speed manual tranny, while the R/T is mated to a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which provides an infinite number of ratios and no actual gears. The R/T also comes in AWD configuration, while the SE and SXT are front drive. The SE model starts out with 15-inch wheels and tires, but the R/T looks best with its standard 18s.

The Caliber feels substantial on the road, much more so than many of the entry-level cars out there. I drove the SXT and the R/T, and in both I wished there was more torque at either the low end or the upper end. The power was even throughout the rpm range, but I was expecting the surge to come in down low like on the bigger Dodge vehicles, or at the upper end like those high-revving imports that are so much fun to drive.

Journey's End: Yep, I'd buy one... as a second car

The Caliber has many more items I didn't get a chance to address because of space here, but the total package warrants a test drive. I liked the roominess, the exterior design, the interior look (though fit and finish could have been a bit better), and the cool features. On my wish list is more low-end torque out of the four cylinders, but that's a standard request with those engines.

My yardstick at the end of each drive is: would I be happy being in this car everyday? I'm leaning toward yes, as long as I had a Charger or a new Challenger (not in production) in the garage so I could thump on the throttle to create some g-force. The Caliber is practical with the hatchback, the removable/washable cargo floor, and the fold-down seats (including the front one on SXT and R/T models). This is the first Chrysler group compact car to feature standard side curtain airbags, a stability control program, and an electronically controlled AWD system, which means it's as safe as it is practical. You have to give Dodge credit; the brand continues to bring fresh vehicles to market that will have cross demographic appeal, and at reasonable prices. The Dodge Boys just may have another big hit on their hands.