2010 Dodge Caliber

A Versatile Hatchback with an Aggressive Stance

While the 2010 Caliber has slimmed down the choices and spiffed up the interior, it is now more competitive with the best of its class. It now offers just two engines and two transmissions, slightly improving the gas mileage. The sole pretext at sportiness is the high-end R/T trim package, which adds little more than 18-inch chrome wheels to the standard 2.4-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission, in front-wheel-drive form only. For the new model year, Chrysler's deleted the all-wheel-drive option, the optional turbocharged engines, and the SRT4 high-performance model. With a base price of $17,090, the Caliber competes well against the Volkswagen Golf, the Kia Soul, the Mazda3, and the Subaru Impreza. New for 2010, active anti-whiplash front head restraints are now standard. Overall, the 2010 Caliber banks on its ultimate versatility for the busy and active consumers. As opposed to a sedan you can pop open the rear liftgate and stow cargo like you never could in a sedan. Unlike an SUV, the Caliber offers decent fuel economy and a total feeling of control and road sense. Fold the second row down for easy transport of the big stuff. With a simple flip of the seats you can be ready to carry a whole crew of passengers.

2010 Caliber Cabin

  The Dodge Caliber got an update for its cabin in 2010.  The instrument panel has been restyled, with center storage bin, extended chrome accents and upgraded soft-touch materials on the door panels and center armrest. The front seats are comfortable, with lots of head room, and there's a large amount of cargo space. Packaging is functional, with folding rear seats that have an optional reclining adjustment and an optional fold-flat front passenger seat to make room for a ladder or lumber. A couple of innovative options, especially for a car in this price class, are an air conditioned compartment in the glove box to chill water bottles or sodas and a swing-down stereo speaker panel attached to the liftgate that converts the back end to a sound stage for beach parties or tailgating. The front passenger seat can fold forward to make room for longer items. The Caliber has decent headroom and legroom in the front and back, but it is still a small car built to a price, so don't expect luxurious accommodations.  The interior now includes soft-touch materials, "bright accents" throughout the interior, and cup-holders illuminated by LED lighting. The new Dodge Caliber now ffers a more harmonious design aesthetic executed with premium materials and craftsmanship.

Caliber Trim Levels

 The SE has cloth seats; tilt steering column; an AM/FM/CD stereo with four speakers and an auxiliary input jack; a 60/40-split folding rear seat; removable and washable vinyl cargo mat; and P205/70R15 tires on steel wheels. The SE comes with manual roll-up windows and manual outside mirrors.

The SXT comes standard with air conditioning with the interior air filter and Chill Zone; Sirius satellite radio; anti-lock brakes; power windows, mirrors and door locks; floor mats; cruise control; stain-resistant seat fabric; remote keyless entry; 115-volt AC power outlet; a flashlight-like removable lamp that stows and charges in a receptacle in the rear headliner; height-adjustable driver's seat; fold-flat front passenger seat; a reclining 60/40-split rear seat; and all-season P215/60R17 touring tires on aluminum wheels.

The R/T comes with the SXT items, plus a variety of other features, including a sport suspension with performance steering, and P215/55R18 all-season performance tires on aluminum wheels.

Design of the Caliber

 The 2010 Dodge Caliber offers consumers an aggressive-looking five-door hatchback. It features Dodge's standard crosshair grill and oversized wheels. Despite the look, the Caliber actually sits a bit higher than most compact cars. The 2010 Dodge Caliber seems tall and narrow from some angles, but overwrought from others. Dodge Caliber is a five-door C-segment hatchback that combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the strength, stance and functionality of an SUV. The trademark crosshair grille dominates the front end; depending on model, this is either body color or trimmed in chrome. Massive headlights are notched into the leading corners of the front fenders. A pouting lower lip-like bumper separates the grille and headlights from a slimmer, lower air intake and (uplevel) fog lamps. The roofline arcs cleanly from its junction with the hood just aft of the front wheel wells over the side door windows to pinch off at the tail end of the rear quarter glass. Topping this arc but stopping at the top of the backlight (rear windscreen) is an unbroken, thick strip of black molding the Caliber's designers say is supposed to work with the arc and the truncated back end to impart a coupe look.

Powering the 2010 Dodge Caliber

The Caliber is available in two engines for this model year, as the1.8-liter four-cylinder has been dropped. The standard 2.0-liter comes with a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The R/T Caliber model gets a 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter four that gets 23 mpg city / 29 mpg highway with the five-speed transmission. The Caliber is available with a manual or a choice of two continuously variable automatic transmissions. Safety features include anti-lock brakes, front airbags, an inflatable driver knee blocker, and side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants; an electronic stability control system, including traction control and brake assist, is available. The Caliber comes with a unique-for-its-class driver's knee airbag designed to keep the driver positioned properly for the other primary restraints. An electronic stability system and traction control are optional.

Summary

The high-performance SRT4 trim is now gone from the Caliber lineup. The SRT4 will be missed by those looking for a higher performance level, due to its turbocharger and a six-speed manual, both of which are now completely gone from the 2010 Dodge Caliber lineup. Furthermore, the Caliber is no longer available in all wheel drive.  The Caliber competes well with others in its class, which includes Saturn Astra, Toyota Matrix and Volkswagen Rabbit. For more research, updates, and pricing information, visit the official 2010 Dodge Caliber site. The Dodge Caliber is a fun, well-rounded package, combining the versatility of a sport utility vehicle with the value and fuel-efficiency of a compact car. The Caliber will be retired after the 2011 model year when Chrysler replaces it with a new vehicle based on products designed by Italy's Fiat Group. The 2010 Dodge Caliber is at the same time innovative and retro, a hatchback that's more like a station wagon but with hints of the utility of a minivan.