Dodge Caliber (06-09) - Review

Review by Ben Wall on
Last Updated: 21 February 2011
The Caliber is a tough-looking hatchback that certainly stands out. It's described as a 'crossover' which means it supposedly combines the practicality and styling of an off-roader with the road-holding of a family hatch. In reality this doesn't quite work. Although the Caliber is spacious and reasonably well-equipped, the interior has a distinctly budget look, it's poor to drive and doesn't feel especially well built. The one strong point is the diesel engine - although this is actually sourced from Volkswagen -aside from that there's little else to recommend the Dodge.
2.5 out of 5

Other Dodge reviews

4 out of 5

Safety

The Dodge was awarded a four-star rating (out of five) for adult occupant safety by Euro NCAP and all cars feature full length side curtain airbags, as well as drive and passenger front airbags. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard on diesel models while petrol cars get a tyre pressure monitoring system.

NCAP Test

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Provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.

Visit Euro NCAP for more info

  • Adult Occupant Rating

    4 out of 5
  • Child Protection Rating

    4 out of 5
  • Pedestrian Test Rating

    1 out of 5
3.5 out of 5

Reliability

Dodge is an unknown quantity within the UK although its co-brands - Jeep and Chrysler - don't perform too badly. The petrol engines are built in a factory co-owned with Hyundai and Mitsubishi (and the diesel is provided by Volkswagen) so mechanical reliability should be pretty good.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

No problems reported.

Other

No problems reported.