Dodge Caliber 2006 Review

What we liked
>> Funky distinctive styling
>> Versatile and spacious interior
>> Apparent solid build quality

OVERVIEW
Apart from a brief foray trying to sell locally-converted Vipers a few years ago, the American brand Dodge has been absent from the Australian market for 30 years.

Now with the company now part of the DaimlerChrysler stable, all new Dodge products are being engineered for both left and right-hand drive. That doesn't necessarily mean that all products in the brand's portfolio will be built in right-hand drive (that is still dependent upon individual business cases) but it does mean that the company is looking to significantly broaden its global reach. And that reach includes Australia with the company set to launch four new Dodge models over the next two years to sell through much of its existing Chrysler dealership network.

The first of these is the Caliber; a front-drive, five-door hatch that went on sale this week and a car that the company expects to appeal to buyers in the market for a small hatch or compact SUV.

With a tagline of "Grab Life", Dodge aims to appeal to active, sporty, funky young things with cars that are distinguished in the marketplace by adventurous styling, practical interiors and an array of unusual features. Some might call them gimmicks...

The five-door lineup comprises four models: ST, SX, SXT and R/T. These are offered with various combinations of four engines and three transmissions.

Prices currently start at $23,990 for the entry-level ST 1.8-litre five-speed manual, rising to $29,990 for the SXT 2.0-litre CVT model. At the moment, only the 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines are on offer with a 2.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel due to arrive before the end of 2006.

Apart from the styling and packaging, Dodge is staking its appeal on a range of interior features that include an optional "Musicgate Power" system. This comprises a superb sounding nine-speaker Boston Acoustics CD audio system that incorporates two speakers into a flip down ghetto-blaster type console integrated into the tailgate.

The idea is that you park, open the rear hatch, flip down the speakers and pump up the volume and you have an instant outdoor rave. If you can't find the right CD in the dark, a self-charging torch is mounted into the rear headlining, while you can keep your drinks cool in the "Chill Zone" (marketing gumpf for an air-conditioned glovebox) with individual holders for four cans or small bottles.

If your sounds are stored as MP3 files, there is a flip-up holder in the centre armrest specifically designed to take an iPod. And after getting down and dirty dancing away in the sludge, you can throw all your muddy gear in the vinyl-covered rear load space and simply wipe it down when you get home.

Dodge is hoping to lure some buyers out of compact SUVs and inside, there is plenty of space for four adults. Room up front is good (although the nature of the design does make you feel a little hemmed in) and in the rear, head and legroom are ample for adults -- at least for the outboard seats.

The driver's seat offers plenty of adjustments to be able to get a reasonably comfortable position although the base ST lacks height adjustment and on all models the steering column offers only tilt adjustment.

Like an SUV, there is plenty of flexibility in the seating arrangement with a front passenger seatback that folds forward to be a flat surface and 60/40-split rear seatback that folds and, on SX models and above, reclines.

With the rear seatback folded flat, the load capacity is 1013lt with a load length of 2.4m.

Standard comfort and convenience kit across the range includes aircon, remote locking, power windows and heated, folding exterior mirrors and a single CD audio system.

The SX models (priced from $25,990) gain alloy wheels and an in-dash six stack CD player while the top of the range SXT (starting at $27,490) also gets leather trim, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control and front fog lights.

The premium sound system with the tailgate boombox is a $1075 option or you can dump the leather trim on the SXT and get it replaced with a Sport and Sound Package that includes the Boston sound system, 18-inch alloys and body-coloured cloth seat inserts.

The airbag count is four with driver and front passenger frontal bags and side curtain bags that run the length of the car.

All five occupants get three-point seatbelts and in the US, the car has received a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA. It is yet to be tested by EuroNCAP, which shares its protocols and results with the local Australian New Car Assessment Program.

The base engine, which you can get in all three trim levels, generates a maximum power of 110kW at 6500rpm and peak torque of 168Nm at 5200rpm.

The only automatic model in the lineup -- the SXT priced from $28,490 -- uses a marginally-stronger 115kW/190Nm VVT 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. The CVT uses a steel belt and has six-electronic virtual 'gears' that can be selected manually via the shift lever.

The other two engines that will be offered later this year are a 103kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel four mated to a six-speed manual ZF-sourced gearbox and available in all three trim levels, and a 127kW/224Nm 2.4-litre four cylinder with five-speed manual in the top of the range R/T model.

Quoted fuel consumption figures according to the official ADR 81/01 combined test for the 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines are 7.4lt/100km and 8.1lt/100km respectively.

Apart from the drivetrain combinations, the Caliber uses a fairly traditional suspension arrangement with a MacPherson strut front and multilink rear. Steering is hydraulically-assisted rack and pinion and Dodge quotes a 10.8m turning circle.

Despite the Caliber's undeniably SUV-like looks there are no all-wheel-drive variants offered at this time. It's strictly front-wheel drive in Caliber world.

COMPETITORS
With the Caliber hitting the market priced from $23,990 or around $26 grand by the time you get it on the road, it isn't exactly going head-to-head with the mainstream volume small hatches like Toyota Corolla, Holden Astra or Ford Focus.

According to Dodge's marketing presentation, the Caliber is a rival for the likes of Mazda3, VW Golf, Peugeot 307 and Subaru Impreza. The launch comparison featured similar spec and slightly more expensive rivals noting the advantages -- with power output and bigger wheels being the main ones. Put the Caliber up against the same equivalent models with an automatic transmission, however (something that the vast majority of buyers in this market specify) and they all undercut the yank on price.

Dodge also believes it will steal some sales from the compact SUV market with the four-cylinder vehicles highlighted being the two-wheel drive Hyundai Tuscon City, and all-wheel drive Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander and Ford Escape.

ON THE ROAD
Take in the Caliber's in your face styling, funky features and packaging and the attitude pushed in its TV and viral marketing campaigns and you could be thinking that under the bold, hip, street smart presentation lies a car that truly offers the potential to "Grab Life". But sadly, the drive experience translates into something altogether underwhelming.

So far, we've only driven the two petrol engines -- the 1.8-litre manual and 2.0-litre CVT -- but it is clear to see why Dodge expects at least 50 per cent of sales to be diesel when that car arrives. With a VW-sourced engine, the pedigree of the oil burner is good while its power is only slightly down on the aforementioned petrol engines and it offers at least 120Nm more torque.

And torque is what this car needs. For paper evidence, you only need to look at Dodge's own performance estimates that put the diesel at a full 2sec quicker than the 2.0-litre petrol engine to 100km/h.

Weighing in at somewhere around 1400kg for the 2.0-litre CVT, this is not a light car and both petrol engines are merely adequate. Off the line the 1.8-litre manual pulls smoothly enough but there is never any sense of urgency about it as the revs rise. Surprisingly, despite the VVT, there doesn't seem to be any discernible shift in power delivery, as it remains linear right through to the redline with the same constant urge.

Apart from the mass that the engine is trying to move, part of the apparent tardiness of the car is that its peak outputs are not reached until you are almost on the rev limiter. This means to get any real energy from the powerplant it needs to be revved extremely hard.

Once on the move, the response is better but overtaking needs careful consideration and any inclines require constant shifting of the notchy five-speed gearbox to keep the car on the boil and moving along with any degree of enthusiasm.

Despite the slight increases in power and torque, the 2.0-litre engine is no better and off the line actually feels worse thanks to the sluggish response from the CVT. As you plant the right foot at standstill, the CVT has a long, hard think about things before the revs slowly rise. When faced with hills or an overtaking opportunity, it appears reluctant to allow the engine to rev out -- which it needs to do if it is to make the most its output.

Once cruising and pushing on to a degree through the twisting country roads across South Gippsland, the manual mode for the CVT proved to be the way to go with the response being quick and effective, generating the ability to keep the engine in its powerband above 4000rpm.

But hard driving is not the Caliber's forte with a suspension setup that is biased towards comfort. It does not display, thankfully, the complete sponge-like attitude of some US products but there is definite tendency for the car to lean through corners even at moderately enthusiastic speeds. There is plenty of grip from the tyres, however, and though it never feels as though it is about to let go, it does instill a sense the car should be treated with care.

Steering is a non-event and apart from slight kickback over rougher roads, there is little positive feel about it.

On the flipside for the ordinary dynamics, however, the Caliber does offer good ride comfort with the suspension soaking up all but the worst surfaces of country Victoria. At the same time, very low levels of NVH make the cabin a pleasant space to spend some time and as mentioned above, there is plenty of space and the creature comforts are up to par.

The Caliber may look like it will appeal to the younger generation but it lacks the performance to go with the pose. At least until the diesel arrives and we may then, change our opinion. Maybe…

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