Dodge · 2006–2011

Dodge Caliber

The Dodge Caliber is a compact hatchback manufactured and marketed by Chrysler's Dodge division from the 2007 through 2012 model years, replacing the Dodge Neon and Chrysler PT Cruiser. Following the Caliber concept, which debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the pre-production version debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, with a market launch in March 2006. The Caliber was manufactured at the Belvidere Assembly (Illinois) plant, and across its six-year model run, just over 400,000 were produced.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Chrysler Neon · Successor: Dodge Dart

All Dodge Caliber data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Marketing

The Caliber was one of Dodge's first modern offerings in Europe and Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, as it established new distribution channels there. It was also introduced in China in 2008 as Dodge's second modern vehicle offering in that market. Dodge vehicles were previously officially sold in China during World War II. The introduction of the Caliber marked the return of the Dodge brand to Australia since the early 1970s. The Caliber in Japan joined the local line-up alongside the Chrysler PT Cruiser in 2007, as the PT Cruiser was offered since 2000. The marketing plan for the first year of Caliber's production included 20% of the budget for online marketing, print ads, and TV commercials.

Features

The Dodge Caliber offered a continuously variable transmission (called CVT2 by Dodge) sourced from Jatco (a Nissan subsidiary), the second DaimlerChrysler model to employ this technology after the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It uses a four-cylinder 1.8-2.4 L World gasoline engine designed jointly by Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai. The car features an optional electronically controlled all-wheel drive system with variable torque at speeds of 25 to 65 mph (40 to 105 km/h) for optimal handling. The Caliber uses a heavily modified GS platform, co-designed with Mitsubishi Motors. The modified GS platform is now called the JS platform by Chrysler for mid-size cars and PM/MK for compact cars. It shares a portion of the platform with the Mitsubishi Lancer, but is most similar to the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. The Caliber wheels have a five-hole pattern with a 114.3 mm bolt circle. Models. Three models were available at the Caliber's launch, with a fourth available in mid-2006. SE. The base SE model features front-wheel drive and a 1.8 L 148 hp (110 kW) World I4 with a Magna Drivetrain T355 five-speed manual transmission. A 2.0 L 158 hp (118 kW) engine with the CVT2 transmission was optional. The standard configuration for the SE did not include air conditioning, power windows, door locks, or mirrors. The SE did not have a tachometer or assist handles. The standard wheels were 15 in (38 cm) steel with wheel covers. The grille surround is body-colored, while that of all other models is chromed. However, Canadian SXT and R/T models feature body-color grilles instead of chrome grilles. Some options were not available on the SE. For 2011, this model was named Express, reverting to SE for 2012. For 2012, the CVT transmission option was dropped only for the SE, leaving the five-spee

Updates

=== 2009 === For the 2009 model, the Caliber underwent a minor revamp. The plain plastic black-colored door handles available on base models were replaced by painted car-colored handles previously available only on R/T. In addition, the trunk lid was reduced in weight and simplified in its opening. In the interior, all panels were made black instead of grey. The "DODGE" badge that was on top of the Ram logo in the middle was shifted to the left, while the "CALIBER" badge was moved to the right from the left, both equal in font size. The car model title, previously indicated on the right, was moved to the bottom right corner of the gate lid. 2010. The 2010 model year was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, featuring a refreshed interior design composed of metallic outlines and parts of glass to suppress the abundance of plastic materials on previous models, as well as the addition of an 8-way power driver's seat, heated mirrors, and an automatic climate control system previously available only on R/T. The dashboard also features the relocation of the glove box due to many customer complaints, which now occupies the spot over the radio panel and comprises a "push-open" lock instead of the previous "squeeze-and-lift" opening mechanism. The 1.8 L engine was dropped from the SE and SXT models, and the SRT4 model is discontinued. European market models receive a new 2.2 L diesel engine with 163 hp (122 kW) and 236 lb⋅ft (320 N⋅m) of torque that provides a combined city and highway fuel efficiency of 40.6 miles per US gallon (5.79 L/100 km; 48.8 mpg‑imp). For the United States market, the models were promptly renamed and rebranded, with SE becoming "Main Street", SXT — "Heat" and R/T — "Rush". Two more models were launched in 2010: a luxury all-included variant "Uptown"

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Caliber an overall Good score in frontal crash testing. The Dodge Caliber was standard with side curtain airbags, but torso side airbags were optional. The IIHS had scored the Caliber Marginal overall in their side impact test. However, the Caliber tested was not equipped with the optional torso-side airbag.

Discontinuation

The 2010 Caliber was the last model sold in Europe. The 2011 model ended production on 23 November 2011, in United States, with the remainder being sold as the 2012 model year Caliber in both U.S. and Canada. A successor called the Dart, based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta's platform, went on sale in June 2012 for the 2013 model-year as the compact vehicle in Dodge's lineup.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Dodge Caliber

Manufacturer

Dodge

Production

March 2006 – November 2011

Model years

2007–2012

Assembly

United States: Belvidere, Illinois, Venezuela: Valencia, Carabobo

Designer

Mike Nicholas (2005)

Class

Compact car

Body style

5-door hatchback

Platform

Chrysler PM/MK platform

Related

Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi ASX

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive

Engine

1.8 L GEMA World I4 (gasoline), 2.0 L GEMA World I4 (gasoline), 2.0 L VW EA188 CRD PD I4 (turbo-diesel), 2.4 L GEMA World I4 (gasoline), 2.4 L GEMA World I4 (turbo gasoline)

Transmission

5-speed Magna T355 manual, 6-speed Aisin BG6 manual, 6-speed Getrag DMT6 manual, CVT Jatco JF011E automatic

Wheelbase

2635 mm

Length

173.8 in

Width

68.8 in

Height

60.4 in, SRT-4: 59.7 in

Kerb weight

3052 lb

Predecessor

Dodge Neon, Dodge Neon SRT-4 (Caliber SRT4), Chrysler PT Cruiser (Car platform)

Successor

Dodge Dart (PF)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q672234CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_CaliberCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1352515084 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2011_Dodge_Caliber_--_NHTSA.jpgPublic domain · Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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