In 2006, one of the most popular American hatchbacks from the Dodge company was released. It’s easy to guess that we are talking about the Dodge Caliber, which has captivated millions of US residents with its simplicity and versatility. The car has many advantages, but it is also criticized quite often. We will now consider the technical characteristics and reviews of owners.
SUV or hatchback?
When the car first appeared on the American market, many buyers were confused. The thing is that when you look at the Dodge Caliber, you get an ambiguous impression. From the outside it is an SUV, but in terms of its characteristics it is a hatchback. Some car critics are inclined to believe that the car is completely unsuccessful from a design point of view. But if you look at sales volumes and consumer reviews, the situation is the opposite.
Today, much more valuable are cars that can be considered universal. Taking on rough terrain with ease and still having plenty of luggage space is exactly what many of us need. All this can be achieved behind the wheel of a Dodge Caliber. Reviews from most owners of this car are positive, but the car is considered illiquid. It is inexpensive, but it is extremely difficult to sell.
Brutality in everything
The aggressive appearance of the car is a quality that is inherent in all Dodge models. "Caliber" is no exception. Take a look at it: the wide and large radiator grille with intersecting chrome inserts catches your eye. In the center is the company logo - a bighorn sheep, but most people simply call it a “ram”. The body lines are chopped and simple. Thanks to this simplicity and angularity, an American car is immediately recognizable. Wide wheel arches provide for the installation of tires with a larger radius, which many will like.
A ground clearance of 20 centimeters allows you to move with confidence not only on low-quality road surfaces, but also where there is no asphalt at all. But there is a problem with the review, which is confirmed by numerous driver reviews. Dodge Caliber has smaller windows, and the hood is located slightly higher than the fenders. This will definitely take some getting used to. But this can hardly be called a serious drawback, because today many cars have narrowed windows. Take for example the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Dodge Caliber: technical specifications
From the moment of release until its completion, the manufacturer offered two engines to choose from:
- 1.8 liter petrol engine with 150 horsepower. Torque is 168 Nm, and acceleration to hundreds is in 11.8 seconds. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 7.3 liters. The power unit is paired with a manual 5-speed gearbox;
- 2.0 liter petrol engine. The engine produces only 151 hp. s., but the traction force is slightly higher and is already 190 Nm. Fuel consumption is slightly higher, approximately 8.5 liters in the combined cycle. But this is largely due to the fact that the internal combustion engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
It can hardly be said that there is a large choice here. It is quite modest, but such power units are quite enough for comfortable driving in a metropolis due to low fuel consumption and over rough terrain, which is facilitated by a torque of 190 Nm. The engines and gearboxes showed their best side. With proper maintenance they last a long time.
Let's take a look inside
Perhaps it is the interior of American cars that most often deserves the most criticism among experts. The fact is that Dodge has hard plastic, which, according to drivers, squeaks very often. At the same time, the dashboard itself is made of high quality and competently. Everything is clearly visible and in its place. There are no unnecessary functions or options, but everything you need is there. The armrest is comfortable and wide, the cup holders are located in the most convenient place.
Everything is done extremely simply, but at the same time correctly, without unnecessary pathos and emphasis on high cost. At the same time, there are comfortable seats with many settings. The rear ones can even be set at a certain angle, which will allow you to travel long distances without getting tired. The manual transmission shifter is located very conveniently; it is slightly shifted towards the radio and is located, as it were, on the rise of a tunnel. If you fold all the seats, we get 1013 liters of net volume, but in the classic form only 413. The audio system is pleasantly surprising. Very high quality sound, regardless of configuration.
SRT tuning Dodge Caliber
In the USA, many drivers turn to the Street and Racing Technologies division, which specializes in tuning. I visited boxing and "Caliber". After specialists had their hands on it, the car changed significantly in appearance. For example, a diffuser appeared on the rear bumper. Therefore, Dodge became somewhat closer to racing cars. The radiator grille was made even wider. Additional holes have appeared in the bumper for improved ventilation of not only the cooling system, but also the brakes.
SRT specialists installed a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. The pistons for the power unit were made cast, and the connecting rods were forged. Naturally, changes also affected the fuel system, in particular, a new injector and ECU were installed. The output was 295 liters. With. and about 390 Nm of torque. A very good result, since initially the engine has only 170 hp. With. The least changes affected the interior. The only thing that immediately catches your eye is the more comfortable seats with lateral support.
The five-door C-class hatchback Dodge Caliber, which looks suspiciously like an SUV, was first presented to the public in March 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show as a concept model, and debuted in pre-production guise in January 2006 at the North American show.
A month later, as part of the Chicago motor show, a “charged” version of the car was rolled out for public viewing, with a sportier design, a powerful engine and improved technology.
Commercial production of the Dodge Caliber continued until November 2011, after which the hatch left the assembly line, however, starting in 2008, it was updated annually. The most significant modernization occurred in 2009, when the car’s interior was “redrawn” and the technology was slightly improved; improvements in the remaining years were mainly limited to the addition of new options and body paint colors.
The appearance of the “Caliber” is designed in the aggressive style inherent in all Dodge models. The five-door looks stern, deliberately solid and not quite typical for its class - a heavy front with massive headlights and a hexagonal “grill” of the radiator grille, a powerful silhouette with “muscles” of wheel arches and a rounded roof line, an athletic rear with nice lights and a “curly” bumper .
The hatchback sports an even more provocative look in the “charged” version of the SRT4 – it is distinguished by a “bold” body kit around the perimeter of the body, a relief hood with three air intakes, a thick exhaust system pipe, a rear wing on the fifth door and 19-inch polished “rollers”.
Depending on the modification, Dodge Caliber is 4415-4427 mm in length, 1785-1800 mm in width and 1520-1535 mm in height. The distance between the axles of the car is 2635 mm, and its ground clearance varies from 175 to 180 mm.
Inside, “Caliber” is perceived as a real American due to the predominance of simple lines and shapes and harsh plastics, which are widely found in the decoration, but overall it looks attractive and very modern. Behind the large four-spoke steering wheel with a massive hub, three “wells” contain dials for the instrument cluster, and the well-shaped center console is reserved for the placement of the infotainment system unit and three solid “washers” of the air conditioning system.
The originality of the SRT4 comes down to the tachometer-led instrument panel, a separate boost pressure dial and a more advanced on-board computer.
In the front, the Dodge Caliber has fairly comfortable seats with good support on the sides and wide ranges of adjustment. Only two passengers can comfortably sit in the rear seats (although there is plenty of space for three), and all because of the high transmission tunnel with an add-on for glasses.
The trunk of the Caliber is small - its volume does not exceed 352 liters. But the shape of the compartment is close to ideal (the wheel arches do not protrude inward), the finishing is practical, and there is a full-size spare tire under the raised floor. In addition, the rear sofa, when folded in two parts, forms a flat platform and increases the capacity to 1013 liters.
Specifications. On the Russian market, Dodge Caliber can be found with three naturally-aspirated petrol fours with distributed fuel supply, variable valve timing technology, a 16-valve timing belt and an intake manifold with a flow regulator. Engines with a displacement of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 liters generate a maximum of 150-174 horsepower and 168-223 Nm of torque, and work together with a 5-speed “mechanics” or a continuously variable transmission (front-wheel drive without alternative).
Depending on the modification, the hatchback accelerates from zero to the first hundred in 11-11.9 seconds, reaches a maximum speed of 183-186 km/h and consumes no more than 7.4-8.7 liters of fuel per 100 km in combined mode.
The power palette is headed by the “charged” modification of the “Caliber” called SRT4 - under its hood hides a 2.4-liter gasoline unit with four vertically oriented “pots”, a turbocharger and distributed injection, producing 285 “horses” at 6000 rpm and 359 Nm available capabilities at 2000-6000 rpm. Such a car, equipped with a 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive transmission, shoots up to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, reaches a top speed of 245 km/h and consumes about 8.9 liters of fuel in the highway/city cycle.
The Dodge Caliber is based on the Chrysler PM/PK platform with a transversely mounted powerplant and high-strength steel body structure. The car is equipped with independent suspension on two axles: MacPherson struts are located in the front part, and a “multi-link” in the rear (the transverse stabilizers are installed “in a circle”).
The hatchback features electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated at the front) with ABS and other auxiliary electronics.
The distinctive features of the “charged” version of the SRT4 are a more rigid chassis, shortened steering, a powerful braking system (the diameter of the front “pancakes” is 340 mm, the rear – 302 mm), a limited slip differential and sport settings for other components and assemblies.
Options and prices. In the summer of 2016, on the Russian secondary market, “Caliber” is sold at a price of 300 thousand rubles, and its “hot” modification SRT4 cannot be bought for less than 600 thousand rubles.
As for equipment, even the simplest car has air conditioning, ABS, ESP, four airbags, cruise, electric drive and heated mirrors, heated front seats, power windows on all doors, audio preparation, metallic paintwork and some more equipment.
The car is stopped using disc brakes; by the way, they are all equipped with ventilation.
Weaknesses and disadvantages of Caliber
Let's start with the body; due to the high-quality assembly, the paintwork is not very susceptible to chips and scratches. The plastic bumper hardens in cold weather and becomes more vulnerable. Thin metal is used on the sills and fenders, which is why these parts quickly rust.
Motor
The gas tank lock does not withstand severe frosts; if it freezes, then failure is guaranteed. The front optics constantly sweat in rainy weather, and to replace the bulbs you need to remove the bumper, which is very inconvenient. With lamps, there are problems with an error in the control unit, which can only be cleared at a service center.
Engines have many reliable components, although at high mileage above 200 thousand kilometers, the likelihood of crankcase rust, failure of the fuel pump and exhaust manifold increases. The throttle assembly and crankshaft pulley damper are 150 thousand kilometers long. There are many more nuances, but they arise when the mileage is above 150,000 kilometers.
Dodge Caliber gearbox
Mechanics need to replace bearing shafts and synchronizers after 150 thousand kilometers. At the same mileage, the clutch release plate suffers, and sometimes the entire clutch mechanism suffers.
A CVT is much more reliable if you change its oil and filter in a timely manner. The weak points are the cone position blades and the shaft bearings. Sometimes the splined connections of the clutches and the clutch pack suffer.
Suspension
The chassis is the most unreliable part of the crossover - the stabilizer bushings do not last for more than 50 thousand kilometers, and later the steering rack ends “die”. After one hundred thousand, replacement of shock absorber struts, ball joints, wheel bearings and silent blocks is required.
The steering is generally reliable, the power steering and steering rack elements last an average of 200 thousand kilometers.
Price
The car is widely distributed on the secondary market with an average price of 400,000 rubles. It all depends on the condition and of course the engine. There is a sports version of the SRT-4, which costs more than the civilian version. The price tag is actually small!
The American hatchback Dodge Caliber is a good car for city driving, and indeed, due to its good suspension, it can overcome light off-road conditions and is therefore suitable for both the city and the countryside.
Video
Dodge Caliber is a five-door hatchback produced from 2006 to 2012 by a car plant in the American state of Illinois. Thanks to its external characteristics, this car can easily be placed on a par with station wagons and even crossovers. In Russia, this car can hardly be considered ubiquitous. And yet, with its inimitable style, it certainly deserves the attention of motorists. We invite you to learn more about it and take a closer look at the technical characteristics of the Dodge Caliber.
External data
From the outside, the car looks “muscular”: this is ensured by clear shapes, chopped body lines, embossed sides, massive bumpers and narrow windows. The platform for the Caliber is the Chrysler PM/MK, borrowed to some extent from the Jeep Compass.
The overall dimensions of the machine are 4415 mm in length, 1800 mm in width and 1535 mm in height. The body is not compact, but this is more than compensated by the spacious interior and luggage compartment with a volume of 352 liters, which increases to 1013 liters with the rear seats folded down.
Curb weight, depending on the engine and transmission, ranges from 1405 to 1475 kg, increasing when fully loaded to 1930 kg. Tire size – 215/60R17. The ground clearance on the front axle is 208 mm, the rear axle is 203 mm, just like a full-fledged SUV. The total officially declared ground clearance is 195 mm. To turn, the car will need a circle with a diameter of at least 10.8 meters, which is quite expected with its wheelbase of 2635 mm.
Engine and transmission
Dodge Caliber can be equipped with four types of engines to choose from. Gasoline engines were developed jointly by Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Huyndai.
- Petrol 1.8-liter with electronic injection, developing 148 horsepower at a speed of 6500 rpm and having a maximum torque of 168 N*m at 5200 rpm. This engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
- Gasoline injection 2.0-liter with 156 hp. at 6300 rpm and a torque of 190 N*m at 5100 rpm, it is equipped with a continuously variable transmission - a variator manufactured by Jatco, a subsidiary of Nissan.
- A 2.0-liter diesel engine with a Common Rail injection system, developing a power of 140 hp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 310 N*m at 1750 rpm. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.
- Petrol 2.4-liter with electronic injection, having the highest power of 174 hp. at 6000 rpm and providing a maximum torque of 223 N*m at 4400 rpm. This engine is equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Speed and acceleration parameters plus fuel consumption
In accordance with the already described configurations of different engines, the maximum speed, acceleration time and fuel consumption will also vary.
- The 1.8-liter petrol engine is capable of accelerating the car to 100 kilometers per hour in 11.9 seconds and allows it to reach a top speed of 184 km/h. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers traveled will be 9.6 liters when driving in the city, 6 liters outside the city and 7.3 liters in the combined cycle.
- A 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a CVT accelerates the car to the coveted hundred in 11.3 seconds, with a speed limit of 186 km/h. You will need 10.8 liters of fuel in the city, 7 liters on the highway and 8.4 liters in the combined cycle.
- The 2-liter diesel engine is capable of accelerating the car to hundreds in 9.3 seconds, while the speed limit is as much as two hundred kilometers per hour. Fuel consumption will be 7.9 liters in urban conditions, 5.1 liters on a country trip and 6.1 liters on average.
- The 2.4-liter turbocharged petrol unit will reach “hundreds” when starting from a stop in 6.7 seconds, and its speed limit is as much as 245 km/h. True, it will also consume a lot of gasoline: 10.7 liters in the city cycle, 8.4 liters on the highway and 9.5 liters in the combined cycle.
Options
Standard options for all Dodge Caliber versions are:
- Illuminated front cup holders;
- curtain airbags on windows;
- armrest of the floor console, moved forward by 76 mm;
- lamp with automatic recharging;
- a special compartment under the armrest with a reversible socket for storing a mobile phone or MP3 player;
- electric side mirrors;
- central locking;
- vinyl trunk tray;
- keyless door opening system;
- Sentry Key immobilizer.
The P1 configurations supplied to Russia with 1.8 and 2.0 liter engines complement the car with air conditioning, as well as front and rear rubber mats.
The P2 package will add to the above advantages:
- Premium Sound Group audio system with 9 speakers,
- AM/FM radio,
- CD player and 6-disc changer,
- as well as MP3 and RDS.
- Additionally, a built-in navigation system and metallic paint are available upon customer request.
The SXT package, which is equipped with two-liter gasoline cars with a CVT, includes:
Chill Zone – compartment for cooled drinks;
- Cruise control;
- radiator grille with chrome trim;
- moldings in body color;
- 5-spoke aluminum 17-inch wheels;
- fog headlights.
Prices for cars of this configuration start from 1,010,000 rubles. Additionally, at the buyer's request, 18-inch aluminum wheels and an electric sunroof are installed for a fee.
The prototype of the Dodge Caliber model debuted in the spring of 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show. The machine was launched into mass production in 2006. The development of the car was carried out with a focus on the European market. The car was supposed to take a good place in the golf car segment. Externally, the five-door Dodge Caliber hatchback, 4.5 meters long and with a ground clearance of 19.5 centimeters, is very similar to a crossover. The car is based on the latest version of the Mitsubishi Lancer platform. This base is also used for the American Dodge Neon. In Russia, sales of the car began in June 2006. Under the hood of the Dodge Caliber, one of two engines can be installed: a 1.8-liter engine with a capacity of 140 horsepower, or a 150-horsepower power unit with a displacement of 2 liters. The first version is offered in three configurations: P0, P1 and P2; the second - in five: the same P0, P1 and P2, supplemented by SXT P1 and SXT P2. Dodge Caliber has a convertible five-seater interior. In 2008, the model underwent a facelift. At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the updated Dodge Caliber was unveiled with a redesigned interior and new engines. Some old motors were confiscated.
Dodge Caliber Specifications
hatchback
City car
- width 1 800mm
- length 4 415mm
- height 1,535mm
- ground clearance 203mm
- seats 5
Dodge Caliber: the end and the beginning again
Dodge plans to end production of the outgoing Caliber model at the end of November and unveil the next-generation model to the general public at the Detroit International Auto Show in January 2012. August 26, 2011 0
