Its not Cute.
Vehicle Tested CRD SE 2.0 Diesel. Manual 5 door hatchback.
Dodge Caliber Range. Jersey prices start at £12,792 from Motor Mall.
Firstly I’d like to apologise to the drivers of two cars I overtook through the parishes when I was returning the test car early a few Saturday mornings ago. If you were passed by a Dodge Caliber whose driver had a very surprised expression on his face, that was me. I usually drive an automatic very slowly, and for some reason, filled with confidence from I know not where, I became a bit excitable. My apologies.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Jeremy Clarkson. Not just because he has shown us that car reviews can be endless fun for everyone but also because he and his team seem to have unknowingly highlighted an important fact about choosing a new car these days: They are all so similar that making a decision based upon the facts alone is often almost impossible, or irrelevant. They almost all have what we want.
So for this reason I’ve decided that this review is not going to be just about tiny details, and infinitesimal differences, though I’ll throw some technical details in, it is going to be more about the car and what it feels like. Most of us, when buying a new car have had our present car for some time so it is nice to really tell the difference when we upgrade.
"It looks nice and I heard they’re good"
The first thing you notice about the Dodge Caliber is that it doesn’t look quite like everything else. Its proportions are different. It looks muscular, and up close you realise it is quite tall. In the driving seat the sense of size continues with a nice high driving position, though it is height adjustable so you can sit lower if you prefer. Combined with a very roomy interior this gives the impression of driving something really big. The car is a reasonable size, but every time I got out I’d turn around and be surprised it wasn’t even bigger.
And as for the driving? The model tested was powered by the VW 2.0 litre turbo diesel as featured in the Golf, coupled to a 6 speed gear box. A good move by Dodge, as there just isn’t a better liked diesel engine around. And what you get is a lovely set up. The engine is tuned to give a broad spread of power, turning in a very impressive 0 – 62 mph time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph. (Especially useful for safe over taking). Handling is very good, with nice firm power steering, good breaks, and very comfortable suspension. On dry roads the road holding felt very positive, and interestingly, didn’t really feel any different with four adults in the car. The only downside was that visibility is a bit scant – the windows seem quite small, though this does seem to add to the sense of security one feels when driving.
The driving position was good, with everything seemingly to hand and in the right place, (this is where we enter the realm where all cars are much the same and it starts to get boring), though there are some nice touches, like a digital compass built into the main trip computer so you can know in which direction you are facing. (Like North East across St Johns on a Saturday morning for instance.)
The overall finish on the Caliber was very good, though the interior was rather plastic looking and whilst just about all cars have plastic interiors now this just looks more plastic than some. But saying that, it is very practical and not expensive for the amount of car you are getting. The seats are comfortable, and the specification is very impressive, with ABS, traction control, front airbags and side curtain airbags as standard on all models. All except the base model have air conditioning and all models have a host of other well thought out features, such as interior lights operable from the indicator stalk (something I found very convenient), or a fold flat front passenger seat to allow for extra long stowage, reclining rear seats and even a chilled glove box to keep drinks cool.
So, driving this car was a real pleasure. With so many cars indistinguishable from one another at the moment, it was nice to see something that stands out a little. They say the Caliber isn’t Cute, and maybe it isn’t but it does have a certain charm, and if you are looking for something different and fun, and well equipped with a great engine, you could do an awful lot worse.
For more info: http://www.dodge.co.uk/
Vehicle Tested CRD SE 2.0 Diesel. Manual 5 door hatchback.
Dodge Caliber Range. Jersey prices start at £12,792 from Motor Mall.
Firstly I’d like to apologise to the drivers of two cars I overtook through the parishes when I was returning the test car early a few Saturday mornings ago. If you were passed by a Dodge Caliber whose driver had a very surprised expression on his face, that was me. I usually drive an automatic very slowly, and for some reason, filled with confidence from I know not where, I became a bit excitable. My apologies.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Jeremy Clarkson. Not just because he has shown us that car reviews can be endless fun for everyone but also because he and his team seem to have unknowingly highlighted an important fact about choosing a new car these days: They are all so similar that making a decision based upon the facts alone is often almost impossible, or irrelevant. They almost all have what we want.
So for this reason I’ve decided that this review is not going to be just about tiny details, and infinitesimal differences, though I’ll throw some technical details in, it is going to be more about the car and what it feels like. Most of us, when buying a new car have had our present car for some time so it is nice to really tell the difference when we upgrade.
"It looks nice and I heard they’re good"
The first thing you notice about the Dodge Caliber is that it doesn’t look quite like everything else. Its proportions are different. It looks muscular, and up close you realise it is quite tall. In the driving seat the sense of size continues with a nice high driving position, though it is height adjustable so you can sit lower if you prefer. Combined with a very roomy interior this gives the impression of driving something really big. The car is a reasonable size, but every time I got out I’d turn around and be surprised it wasn’t even bigger.
And as for the driving? The model tested was powered by the VW 2.0 litre turbo diesel as featured in the Golf, coupled to a 6 speed gear box. A good move by Dodge, as there just isn’t a better liked diesel engine around. And what you get is a lovely set up. The engine is tuned to give a broad spread of power, turning in a very impressive 0 – 62 mph time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph. (Especially useful for safe over taking). Handling is very good, with nice firm power steering, good breaks, and very comfortable suspension. On dry roads the road holding felt very positive, and interestingly, didn’t really feel any different with four adults in the car. The only downside was that visibility is a bit scant – the windows seem quite small, though this does seem to add to the sense of security one feels when driving.
The driving position was good, with everything seemingly to hand and in the right place, (this is where we enter the realm where all cars are much the same and it starts to get boring), though there are some nice touches, like a digital compass built into the main trip computer so you can know in which direction you are facing. (Like North East across St Johns on a Saturday morning for instance.)
The overall finish on the Caliber was very good, though the interior was rather plastic looking and whilst just about all cars have plastic interiors now this just looks more plastic than some. But saying that, it is very practical and not expensive for the amount of car you are getting. The seats are comfortable, and the specification is very impressive, with ABS, traction control, front airbags and side curtain airbags as standard on all models. All except the base model have air conditioning and all models have a host of other well thought out features, such as interior lights operable from the indicator stalk (something I found very convenient), or a fold flat front passenger seat to allow for extra long stowage, reclining rear seats and even a chilled glove box to keep drinks cool.
So, driving this car was a real pleasure. With so many cars indistinguishable from one another at the moment, it was nice to see something that stands out a little. They say the Caliber isn’t Cute, and maybe it isn’t but it does have a certain charm, and if you are looking for something different and fun, and well equipped with a great engine, you could do an awful lot worse.
For more info: http://www.dodge.co.uk/
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