2007 Dodge Caliber SE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

A Typical Compliance Appliance in regular SE, SXT trims

Faults:

Just the windshield washer pump needed replaced. Other than that, no other repairs needed; it's a solid built one.

General Comments:

The CVT transmission could be more responsive to even part throttle application.

The interior materials are subpar plastics. The seat fabric is very coarse type of cloth, but not too many vehicles offer velour upholstery these days.

I do like the simplicity of the SE (BASE) trim for crank windows, no electronic keys hence a good ole fashioned mechanical ignition key.

The car itself is stylish, but the SRT-4 version would make it a very enjoyable ride, but that version was only available on 2008-2009 model Calibers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st August, 2020

6th Sep 2020, 03:25

You commented about the CVT. Given that, how is the acceleration - especially at wide open throttle?

Our daughter has 2014 Jeep Compass, the same platform with the same powertrain, and it always seems to be meeting every request for more speed (no matter how small) with an over large surge in RPM - and not much change in forward thrust. Mind you, this is a Front Wheel Drive Jeep, oddly enough. Wide-open-throttle acceleration (which you resort to more often that you would think) is tepid at best.

The good news is that the CVT has not failed :)

2007 Dodge Caliber SXT 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Plastic Fantastic!

Faults:

Screen washer stopped working; had to remove the pump and clean its filter; quite an easy job.

General Comments:

Had mine 8 months, so this is hardly a long term review, but put a few miles on it in that time, as I use it occasionally for business.

It drives superb and has great comfort. I like the CVT gearbox, and you can make the car economical around town if you learn how to keep the engine revs low. Also the performance is great and I can't understand why some owners think they're sluggish, but perhaps mine is one of the better ones.

Also for a cheap car, I like the Musicgate stereo, built-in torch, and the tire pressure monitor. The ergonomics are fantastic and all the controls well thought out. Great aircon/ heater.

I do all my own servicing and the parts are cheap, although it hasn't needed anything apart from pads and oil/filters. Tires seem to last and don't wear unevenly.

I see Top Gear put the Caliber in their top 20 of worst cars of all time, but that's nothing new for them; there is one Caliber in the States that's done 528,000 miles if you search on YouTube!!

If Chrysler had sold the car from the start with the updated (2010) interior, it would have done much better.

Last but not least, I like the great Tonka toy styling.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2014

26th Feb 2015, 08:07

Good review, and greetings from southern Finland. I've been thinking about buying a used Caliber 2.0 petrol automatic for a while now, since I like the comfort, and the Caliber is one of the last masculine US everyday-cars (I've been driving some Calibers, though never owned one), but the reviews and statistics mostly seem to be way below average. But then again, if the car is maintained as it's supposed to be, and after the typical faults have been taken care of, you'll have some good miles to go for many years, right?

The other thing I'm worried about is the effect of varying and rough Finnish winter, which can wear out cars in general: lots of wet snow, humid, corrosive(?) road salt (to ease the slipperiness) etc.

In reply to 26th Feb 2015, 08:07

18th Apr 2015, 20:02

I still have the car and still no problems, 59k miles now. If you get one, get it sprayed underneath with a corrosion protector. If you get a diesel, make sure the clutch is OK; some in the UK are worn out at 30-40k. The turbos as well don't last long, as people don't bother with the cool down period after a long run; petrols are more reliable in the long run.