What Is It?
2007 Dodge Caliber
What's Special About It?
Set to replace the aging Neon, Dodge's new Caliber looks like a huge leap forward in function, practicality and styling. Bigger than the Neon in every dimension except length, the five-door Caliber will start at an impressively low $13,985, which is $410 less than the base Neon.
"Every detail of the Caliber's interior is designed for functionality," said Matt Liddane, Caliber's chief engineer. "It's the most practical, usable car I've ever driven."
He's right. We haven't seen so much smart design in one package anywhere else. The Caliber's interior has it all: a fold-out iPod/cell phone holder in the sliding-top center console; a fold-flat front-passenger seat; a 60/40-split-folding rear seat; a 115-volt AC outlet; a 12-volt DC outlet; and two gloveboxes, the larger of which houses an A/C-cooled drink holder big enough for four 20-ounce bottles. There are even two illuminated cupholders so you don't spill your Mountain Dew in the dark.
But that's not all. The Caliber is available with a 400-watt, nine-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system. Built into the hatch are two articulating speakers which flip down to face rearward when it's open.
Dodge will sell the Caliber in the U.S. with three powertrain options. The Caliber SE, the base car, will come with a 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. Optional on the SE model will be a 158-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder driving a continuously variable transmission with six driver-selectable simulated gears. The Caliber RT comes standard with a 174-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder driving all four wheels through the same CVT. Front-wheel-drive RT models will be available several months after initial introduction with the CVT or a five-speed manual transmission.
Look for the Caliber at dealers no later than the end of June and a turbocharged SRT version by the end of the year.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We weren't sure the Caliber was an appropriate replacement for the Neon until we saw it in person. Now we're convinced. It combines the most practical interior we've seen with a diverse and utilitarian list of powertrain options. We give it two thumbs up. — Josh Jacquot
2007 Dodge Caliber
What's Special About It?
Set to replace the aging Neon, Dodge's new Caliber looks like a huge leap forward in function, practicality and styling. Bigger than the Neon in every dimension except length, the five-door Caliber will start at an impressively low $13,985, which is $410 less than the base Neon.
"Every detail of the Caliber's interior is designed for functionality," said Matt Liddane, Caliber's chief engineer. "It's the most practical, usable car I've ever driven."
He's right. We haven't seen so much smart design in one package anywhere else. The Caliber's interior has it all: a fold-out iPod/cell phone holder in the sliding-top center console; a fold-flat front-passenger seat; a 60/40-split-folding rear seat; a 115-volt AC outlet; a 12-volt DC outlet; and two gloveboxes, the larger of which houses an A/C-cooled drink holder big enough for four 20-ounce bottles. There are even two illuminated cupholders so you don't spill your Mountain Dew in the dark.
But that's not all. The Caliber is available with a 400-watt, nine-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system. Built into the hatch are two articulating speakers which flip down to face rearward when it's open.
Dodge will sell the Caliber in the U.S. with three powertrain options. The Caliber SE, the base car, will come with a 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. Optional on the SE model will be a 158-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder driving a continuously variable transmission with six driver-selectable simulated gears. The Caliber RT comes standard with a 174-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder driving all four wheels through the same CVT. Front-wheel-drive RT models will be available several months after initial introduction with the CVT or a five-speed manual transmission.
Look for the Caliber at dealers no later than the end of June and a turbocharged SRT version by the end of the year.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We weren't sure the Caliber was an appropriate replacement for the Neon until we saw it in person. Now we're convinced. It combines the most practical interior we've seen with a diverse and utilitarian list of powertrain options. We give it two thumbs up. — Josh Jacquot
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