2009 Dodge Caliber Consumer Reviews

Love my new Caliber

Written by: northstarruthie on 10/29/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've only had this about a month but it is the first vehicle I truly love! I love sitting higher and the comfortable seats. Great ride. Gas mileage is good. Bought the lifetime warrenty so I feel safe for the long term.

Favorite Features

Lifetime warrenty that I purchased. Starburst orange color. Drink holders that glow at night. Lots of storage. Fold down seats for more storage space. Free Satalite radio for a year!

Suggested Improvements

I'm not fond of the drink holder on the back seat floor. Maybe good if you have kids.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Bargain - can't beat it

Written by: BOTA on 10/20/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Car is great overall. Only complaint is the engine is a bit underpowered in certain circumstances. For the price - unbeatable

Favorite Features

Style, comfort, handling

Suggested Improvements

Low end engine needs more power

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great car!

Written by: KD on 10/17/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I took advantage of the cash for clunkers and got an amazing deal on this car. I have been driving a Mazda Protege 5 for the last 8 years. While the Caliber cannot compare to the Mazda in terms of performance, it is still a great car. It is a bit sluggish on takeoff, but using the CVT option takes care of that. My gas mileage has steadily increased as the engine has broken in and I am now averaging 29-30 mpg city and highway combined. My 6' friends are very comfortable in the backseat and have plenty of leg and head room. The cargo storage is amazing, especially with the rear seats down.

Favorite Features

Auto rearview mirror dim, lighted cupholders, excellent stereo, drop down speakers for tailgating, sits high and allows a great view of the road ahead.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a luggage/roof rack! I do not understand why this car doesn't have the option. I probably would have looked closer at the Compass had I known. Also big blind spots on the rear sides.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love this car

Written by: bigd on 10/16/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber R/T 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My wife and I drove several different cars and finally selected the Caliber. We chose the R/T because we wanted the the power the 2.4L provided. All the little extras have turned out to be a lot of fun and add to the enjoyment of ownership. This is a lot of car for the money.

Favorite Features

Lighted cup holders...sound system..sunroof...18" wheels

Suggested Improvements

the system readout should be standard and not an expensive option

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An excellent car with good mileage

Written by: Mike M on 09/30/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SE 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I had owned 5 Neons over the years before buying the Caliber. I am still disappointed about he termination of Neon, but I am extatic about this Dodge. Great mileage at 32-33 mpg..(I haven't taken it on a trip yet). The ride is superb and handling is great. The power is more than adequate, even with the tiny engine. I am very happy with the Caliber overall. The lighted cup holders are a wonderful dafety feature in my opinion.

Favorite Features

Expecting the smaller engine to have no power or take-off, I was very pleasantly surprised with the combination of the 1.8 engine with the standard transmission.

Suggested Improvements

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I call my Cali Sally

Written by: CrazyBoutCali on 09/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

What a great car. I love this car. It is fairly quick, has a roomy and comfortable interior that is easy to keep clean and looking brand new, it has 17 inch wheels, anti-lock brakes are standard and has lots of airbags for safety. I read some "professional" reviews and they aren't so hot. I don't understand them at all. They clain the Cali is underpowered. BALONEY, I say. I have a 2.0 litre SXT and I am impressed with the power she puts out. I also own a 1979 Corvette 350 c.i. and I know speed and power first hand. I'm not saying the Cali is a Vette, but she will hold her own in her class. Anyways, it's all about decent power and good gas mileage for me. And it gets 28 mpg.

Favorite Features

2.0 litre, CVT transmission, decent torque and hp, comfortable to drive, 5 Star Safety Award, LIFETIME Drivetrain Warranty.

Suggested Improvements

None really.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!

Written by: KBentley57 on 09/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The review is actually for the SXT with the 2.0L and CVT. After trading in my old Dakota and taking advantage of a $5,000 rebate from Dodge, I purchased a new orange Caliber for $11,500 out the door! After looking at a fit, I decided to go this route instead. It is much larger, roomier, and better looking in my opinion. The gas mileage is great for a car of this size! I get about 32 mpg on my daily commute of 90 miles, traveling at no more than 60 mph. One year of free Sirius radio was also a plus! Dodge needs to do a better job of advertising their offers.

Favorite Features

Lighted cup holders, chill zone, sliding arm rest, *ability to turn off headlights* 110V outlet, adjustable seat and tilt wheel, folding back seats, Sirius Radio, CVT

Suggested Improvements

offer the 2.0L engine with a manual transmission for added fuel mileage.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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cash for clunkers

Written by: erin on 09/05/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I guess compared to driving a 1998 Jeep wrangler for 8 years a moped would seem more economical. I'm not knocking my hot little black convertible it was just time to put it down. And it came at the absolute perfect time. With 218,000 miles I traded that Jeep for a brand new 2009 Dodge caliber. I got 3,500.00 for the clunker and then Dodge matched it with an additional 3,500.00. Best deal ever! I love it. I have air conditioning, speed, good gas mileage, and it's so quiet. I have to admit, I did cry when I had to give up the first car I had ever bought with my own money, and I still have the key, but what a difference. It really makes me appreciate the road. I love my new caliber

Favorite Features

it runs

Suggested Improvements

maybe have a sunroof

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!!!

Written by: Surfer on 08/23/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Took the new car on Vacation. We love it. The car drives great. The elevated seating is awesome. The Sirius satellite radio is great. Good MPG. The Chill Zone is cool. We love the car. There is nothing else like it out there. The Fit is El-Cheapo compared to the Caliber. The Vibe is nice, but no options at this price. I would recommend a test drive. It is one great car.

Favorite Features

Sirius radio, CVT transmission, Chill Zone for drinks, exterior styling, alloy 17" wheels. Best Warranty on the market. WOW!

Suggested Improvements

More fabric on doors. Re-position rear cupholders.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Best car for the money

Written by: Dave K on 08/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Lee Iacocca said it best many years ago - "if you can find a better car - buy it". This car is one of the best cars I have found for day to day driving. It has everything you need and even some extras. This car has it all over the Ford Escort wagon that I traded in for the Caliber. I have been a design engineer for many years, so I feel that I can say with some authority, that this car is a good solid machine with no serious design flaws. It will last for many years in daily driving with very few problems (no - I don't work for an auto company!). This is the first "small" car that I have seen with midsize car seating room and comfort.

Favorite Features

The CVT is the best thing to happen to the automotive world - I'm glad this car has one. I also like the firm ride, and SUV - like seating position. The interior is made of rugged easy to keep clean materials. High crash test ratings (5 star) due to its "heavy duty" construction (over 3000 lbs).

Suggested Improvements

A little more room in the cargo area would go a long way to improving this car. A little more attention to minor cosmetic details would not hurt either. And, as always - no one would cry if the gas mileage were a bit better

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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