Though they have some of the most recognizable and imaginative cars around, Dodge is little known outside the North American market. In the Philippines alone, their market presence here was limited to a healthy dose of bore. After their design team got a shot of inspiration, and their Philippine distributor becoming more professional, Dodge is finally in the league of the big boys. The Caliber, their compact entry, looks to break all molds with its unique design and European-inspired road manners.
The moment you set your sights on the Caliber, you know you’re in for a treat. It looks like nothing else on the road: part sport utility vehicle, part car. Its proportions suggest that it should be a soft-roader, but its front-wheel drive layout says otherwise. Standing next to it reveals its tall nature. However, thanks to a muscular physique such as the bulging fenders, angular surface treatments and sleek roofline, it doesn’t look tallboy at all. It runs on 18-inch rims, which look just right. Dodge is notorious for their liberal application of chrome, but thankfully, the Caliber has none. It looks young, dynamic and sporty making this a winner in the looks department.
The cutting-edge design though doesn’t translate well inside, where the interior’s more flash than substance. For starters, the interior surfaces feel low-cost with controls for the wiper and air conditioning threatening to snap off at any time. In addition, the door sounds tinny and the door trims are made of some pseudo-rubber like plastic.
If you’re not distracted by the poor fit and finish though, you’ll begin to marvel at the magic of the Caliber. It’s a God-given gift for geriatrics thanks to easy ingress/egress thanks to the high hip point and wide opening doors. The seats are mounted high—giving a great view of the road ahead. The seats are nicely supportive too, but an imperfect control layout spoils its chance of being a driver’s car. Major controls simply get in the way of one another. For example, the center console shifter is a nice idea, if only it didn’t get in the way of the A/C’s rotary ideals. The front arm rest with integrated iPod holder is a nice touch too, but it makes the parking brake inoperable.
But before dismissing the Caliber as another off-the-mark American car, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel: creature features. You have to give credit to the folks at Dodge for coming up with the most imaginative ways to lengthen its standard features list. Aside from the aforementioned integrated iPod holder, the Caliber has Chill Zone—a refrigerated glove box that holds up to four 500-ml drinks, a front passenger seat that folds forward increasing the already large cargo space, a power moon roof and MusicGate Power—a premium 9-speaker Boston Acoustics system complete with subwoofer and a folding set of rear-most speakers (for tailgate parties). Perhaps the only gripe is the lack of an aux jack making the iPod holder and the kick-ass audio system almost obsolete by today’s automotive standards.
Where it counts though, the Caliber feels pretty modern. The all-around independent suspension strikes the balance between sport and comfort. The Caliber rides the bumps with poise. Despite its tall height, the Caliber takes to corners very well with minimal understeer. ESP or Electronic Stability Program is standard, an assurance that when things to get a bit too hairy, the Caliber can reel you back in. And on the subject of safety, the Caliber trumps the competition with 7 airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), tire pressure sensors as well as ABS with EBD.
Like its platform, the Caliber also a state-of-the-art engine. Integrating variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust, the four cylinder engine pushes out 158 horsepower and 191 Nm of torque—healthy figures considering the modest 2.0-liter displacement. CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission is the only gearbox available, and it doesn’t disappoint. The Caliber doesn’t feel sluggish at all: it can accelerate fairy quickly and still manage to return around 10 km/L, not bad considering its hefty 1,378 kilogram curb weight.
Lets face it, though you’d certainly be tempted by the Caliber’s list of features, what makes the Dodge Caliber stand out is its unique packaging and sophisticated drivetrain. Unfortunately, being well-engineered comes at a great cost: 1.575 million pesos. At such a high price, any buyer begins to get picky. And this is where the Caliber’s shortcomings start to show. It’s a shame really. The Dodge Caliber has the right foundations for being a truly likeable vehicle, but the needless frills rob it of some showroom shine.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos by Ulysses Ang
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