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Dodge is looking for ways to beef up their line by adding on the big macho grilles. One of the best ones that they have built is the 2008 Dodge Caliber. It may be a hatchback, but it is a tough, roomy, inexpensive, and fuel-efficient car. Built on a global platform also used for the Jeep Compass SUV and midsize Dodge Avenger sedan, the tall-bodied Dodge Caliber comes only as a compact hatchback/wagon. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, increasing cargo space to a maximum of 48 cubic feet. The front passenger seat can fold forward to make room for longer items, such as ladders, skis or surfboards. The Caliber has decent headroom and legroom in the front and back, but it is still a small car, so don’t expect more than two adults to fit comfortably in the backseat. The Caliber comes in three trims, base SE, SXT and R/T, with a high-performance Caliber SRT4 variant coming soon. The SE is a base model in every sense of the word. It doesn’t come with much; air-conditioning and power features are optional. Most shoppers will want to skip over the base SE and look at either the SXT or R/T, both of which come with more standard features and sportier wheels and tires. The Caliber R/T even gets 18-inch wheels and performance tires. In addition, upscale options like leather seats and a navigation system are only available on the Caliber SXT and R/T. Interior design and build quality are serviceable at best. Dodge doesn’t even pretend that this is an upscale vehicle, and hard plastic is rampant throughout the interior. Compared to the accommodations in vehicles like the Chevrolet HHR, Kia Spectra5, Mazda 3 and Toyota Matrix, the Caliber’s furnishings are several steps below the norm. There are three four-cylinder engine choices for the Dodge Caliber. Each features modern design elements, such as variable valve timing and aluminum construction. At the bottom of the ladder is a 148-horsepower 1.8-liter inline-4, which comes standard on the base Caliber and the SXT. If you’re looking for more power, it’s possible to upgrade to a 158-hp 2.0-liter four, which is equipped exclusively with a CVT. The 148-hp 1.8-liter comes with a five-speed manual gearbox only. Buyers looking for a bit more pep will want to take a look at the Caliber R/T, which gets a 172-hp 2.4-liter engine. It is also available with AWD. In terms of transmissions, the front-wheel-drive R/T comes with a standard five-speed manual, while the R/T AWD comes with the CVT only. The Dodge Caliber is a solid daily driver, though hardly much more than that. It is comfortable without feeling too soft. And the R/T handled well in demanding situations. But our impressions of the Caliber were dampened by the lack of driving excitement. The R/T was especially a disappointment. Not only did it not feel any faster than the SXT with the optional 2.0-liter, the AWD version we tested took 10 seconds to reach 60 mph, hardly the kind of giddy-up we’d expect from a car with an R/T badge. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!
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