2007 Dodge Caliber Review

Cars and Trucks for Women - The 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T could be described as either a mini SUV or a tall wagon; however, it's very much in those family of vehicles. It drives like a premium small car, but you get the impression that it's bigger than it actually is. The result is a vehicle that in many ways looks and functions like both with many hidden features that you do not commonly associate with an economically priced vehicle.

What the Dodge Caliber does do in bold fashion is build on the domestic demand for practical and fuel-saving crossover vehicles (CUVs) and the popularity of compact cars. In fact, J.D. Power rates the 2007 Dodge Caliber's green fuel efficiency (link) with 4.5 out of 5 stars - among the best in the industry. With the Caliber's (SE) base price of $14,410 or $17,820 in the R/T form, this Dodge won't put a dent in your pocket book either.

Living in the heart of Motor City, you routinely see many new models from the various automakers driving around. However, I must admit that at every stop light I came to it was noticeably obvious by all the attention the Caliber R/T brought. The sporty Dodge trademark look, coupled with the Inferno Red exterior definitely turned a lot of heads.

My first impression of the car overall was that finally someone made an attractive auto for the younger crowd in which they could afford! But that impression was soon put to rest when my neighbor (who is retired and an owner of two PT Cruisers) said he wanted to take a peak at the new Caliber, because his family was planning on that being their next vehicle. So needless to say, whether you are young or just young at heart, this car has the beat that appeals to a wide range of age groups.

What really impressed me about this vehicle was the smooth ride. At every railroad crossing that I approached, I did the usual slow down and "brace yourself" routine, needless to say, I was delightfully surprised how well the Caliber seemed to glide right over the tracks in a smooth, luxury fashion. I did not expect that from a mini-crossover with 18” wheels. (I have two teenagers who always do the bouncing around the vehicle, as in the skit with Ace Ventura in “When Nature Calls”.) They were very surprised when we went on our usual route and asked “What happened to the railroad tracks?”

I must say the Caliber's engineers made sure to occupy every possible space. Multiple storage compartments are found in the Caliber's roomy interior, as are numerous thoughtful touches like handy grips for the lift gate, easy-to read instruments, easy-to-use controls, and nice quality fabrics and materials.

The gearshift is located in the center stack, freeing space between the seats. In that space you'll find cup holders and an armrest-storage box that slides forward or out of the way as required. Inside the storage container is a flip-out receptacle for your iPod (or similar device), which can connect to a small jack in the dash via a supplied cable as well as a 120 volt power outlet. I actually found this flip out feature to be great with my cell phone…it kept me from fumbling around while driving adding yet another key convenient and safety feature to this vehicle.

The instrumentation gauges, climate control, and radio controls were all easily accessible (within reach) as well as easy to see and use. This made for a more pleasurable drive…because we all know that sometimes being inconvenienced for the simplest things contributes to bigger hassles! But not in the Caliber - the controls were definitely placed with thought.

I was surprised to find that when opening the “What I thought was going to be the usual glove box…as we so call it”, there is a bin on top of the dash in front of the passenger that makes great use of a usually unused area. Right below that was a sweet beverage storage. I drink a lot of water, especially during the summer months and can’t tell you how many times while out running around have I returned to my vehicle to a nice HOT bottle of water! But in this vehicle not to worry, you have a nice COOL storage area to keep your water fresh!

A nice bonus feature is the rear reclining seat. This feature not only adds to the comfort of the rear occupant, it also makes it easier to fit a child seat in more snugly, aiding in a more secure seatbelt anchoring. Overall, it is a great maximization of space coupled with unique styling.

The rear cargo area was definitely roomy, especially when the rear folding seats were down.

There was only one particular draw-back about this…the rear cover was plastic (easy to clean) however, groceries and other items had a tendency to slide around even with the rubber grips built in. A mat to eliminate this concern would be a welcomed addition.

I did a lot of in-town driving at first, and was impressed with its maneuverability in close quarter traffic situations. When the interstate driving began, the Caliber delivered what I typically expected from a 4 cylinder. It was a bit sluggish on acceleration; however, it kept up with the traffic flow very easily.

I got the feeling of being in a full size vehicle with the noticeable stability I experienced out in the open at freeway speed - by this I mean not being swayed side to side by wind, larger vehicles, etc., in which typically happen while performing interstate trips.

After all the driving I had done so far, I was impressed to find that the gas gauge had barely moved at all. The mileage was impressive whether it be in town or on the highway. A definite plus with today’s fuel prices, an economical attribute shinning through in blinding fashion.

Access in this vehicle was easily accomplished by the larger than normal doors, which generated effortless entry. The exit did however have a minor drawback, which was the door did not have a catch-type hinge where you expected it to be. It often swung back on me on several occasions...a small inconvenience to say the least, but a noticeable one for sure.

Overall, I was vert impressed with this Crossover. I personally think it towers over its predecessor (Neon) by huge strides. The Dodge Team created what appears to be a very attractive Crossover for all age groups by mixing in a lot of styling cues, functionality and affordability.

Here's how the Caliber R/T totaled up on our test vehicle:
• 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T: $17,820
• Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat Exterior Paint: $150
• Continuously Variable Transaxle II AutoStick® Auto Trans: $1,150
• Luxury Front and Rear Floor Mats: $30
• Delivery $560
TOTAL PRICE: $19,710

2007 Dodge R/T Photo Gallery.

Federal Crash Ratings Front, driver Head and chest injury Front, passenger Head and chest injury Side, front seat Chest injury Side, rear seat Chest injury Rollover Rating	Ratings Residual Rating J.D. Power Rating Click here. Consumer Reports Not rated.	Dodge Caliber Manufacturer. The Dodge Caliber is made in Belvedere, IL. U.S.A. Warranty Info. 3 Years / 36,000 Mile. Bumper to bumper. Caliber Homepage Click here.
		Key (Excellent) (Very Good) (Average) (Below Average) (Poor)

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