2008 Dodge Caliber Reviews, Pricing & Specs
What owners say
"Overall, the 2008 Dodge Caliber has mixed reviews from owners. Many drivers appreciated its affordability, spacious interior, and decent gas mileage. The unique features like a built-in cooler and roomy trunk space were also liked. However, common complaints include low power, handling issues, and reliability concerns as the mileage increases. Some owners experienced costly repairs, and there were mentions of the ride being rough at times."
Manual transmission model seems very reliable so far, decent fuel economy hovering 28-30mpg at highway speeds. Trunk space is adequate for most errands, I picked up 10 moving boxes and 4 50 lb bags of salt and still had room available. The ride is acceptable though it doesn’t match the ride comfort of a Buick or similar. For an everyday dependable ride (with manual transmission) I find this vehicle meets all my needs
January 26, 2025This is has all the good features of a caliber, but performs nothing like a normal one. The second the turbo spools up, you just take off like a jet. Smooth acceleration, and there is a lot of acceleration! Good times, very reliable, good on gas (30mpg including "spirited" driving), household receptacle, loads of storage space in the hatchback, not to mention the hood scoops, agressive body kit, 3" exhaust, 19" rims, sport leather bucket seats. The 6-speed manual transmission, and 300hp engine helps too :) Overall, the best car I've ever owned!
August 24, 2010i like the smoothness of my car. whenever i turn it so smooth. it also has quite a kick in it when you floor it. i would definitely get another one in the future. the car also has alot of interior room.
December 21, 2009What owners say
Manual transmission model seems very reliable so far, decent fuel economy hovering 28-30mpg at highway speeds. Trunk space is adequate for most errands, I picked up 10 moving boxes and 4 50 lb bags of salt and still had room available. The ride is acceptable though it doesn’t match the ride comfort of a Buick or similar. For an everyday dependable ride (with manual transmission) I find this vehicle meets all my needs
January 26, 2025This is has all the good features of a caliber, but performs nothing like a normal one. The second the turbo spools up, you just take off like a jet. Smooth acceleration, and there is a lot of acceleration! Good times, very reliable, good on gas (30mpg including "spirited" driving), household receptacle, loads of storage space in the hatchback, not to mention the hood scoops, agressive body kit, 3" exhaust, 19" rims, sport leather bucket seats. The 6-speed manual transmission, and 300hp engine helps too :) Overall, the best car I've ever owned!
August 24, 2010i like the smoothness of my car. whenever i turn it so smooth. it also has quite a kick in it when you floor it. i would definitely get another one in the future. the car also has alot of interior room.
December 21, 2009I've rented this car twice now; the first time, in the spring, wasn't too bad - it was during one of those relapses into winter where the roads were terrible, which kept me on my best (read: most granny-like) driving behaviour. However, during this second rental stint, in a very mild, dry November, ideal driving conditions have uncovered the serious flaws in this car's character. The car accelerates decently, with the optional 2.0L, 158-hp engine pulling with some strength and a CVT that lets the engine rev to its power band and remain there. However the CVT is as much a problem as a benefit - transitions between lift-throttle (idling, coasting) give you the directness (or choppiness) of a manual, but the hesitation of an automatic - the worst of both worlds. Braking is adequate but pedal feel is vague and non-linear - finding the right amount of pressure to stop from 70-80 km/h without passengers falling out of their seats takes some trial and error. The car's handling is among its biggest downfalls. It starts off badly, being tall for a compact car (seating positions are at a similar height to vehicles like the Toyota RAV4) and heavy. Body roll is moderate, but controlled and fairly predictable. It's when you hit a bump that the car really bites back. Taking corners too quickly, especially loop ramps onto or off the freeway, can be dangerous as each axle will 'hop' if you hit a bump, effectively making your car side-step into a wider turn. Also, being front-wheel drive the natural handling state is understeer, but it arrives with no warning. If this ever happens, let off the throttle and let the Stability Control do its thing - because the car needs it to stay on the roads sometimes. The entire inside of the car, aside from the seating surfaces, windows and roof, are made of cheap, low-rent plastics - worse than in my 1996 Camaro. Thankfully this car had the leather-wrapped steering wheel option, so my hands weren't as badly off as my right knee, which kept banging against the side of the centre console. This isn't a car you want to bang your elbow in, because it WILL hurt. Also detracting from perceived build quality were the squeaks and rattles emanating from somewhere in the rear of the car over certain bumps at certain speeds. At least the doors don't feel completely hollow, as they close with a hint of that solid 'thunk' you hear in better cars. The car's not a looker, to be honest. It could, of course, look worse - most anything from the 90s comes to mind. But, Civic, Corolla, Cobalt, G5, Sentra... they all look better. Even the Ford Focus is hard-pressed to look uglier than the Caliber. On the upside, the 2.0L engine is decently efficient - though not so much so as the 2.0L offerings from Nissan and Mazda, or the 1.8s from Honda and Toyota. Part of that is due to the weight it's forced to lug around. Overall, not a car I'd buy, and not a car I'd rent again, given the choice.
November 17, 2008great on gas, great looks, low cost of maintenance. TONS of cargo space in the car. I can fit my drum set in t back with all of my audio and mic equipment as well as my suitcase and my wife and I can comfortably drive to any shows I have. If I pack it all right I can even fit another person in the back seat.
May 24, 2013The only regret i have about this car is that i couldn't afford the SRT4 model. Dont get me wrong, the 2.0L inline 4 with the CVT is great on gas, but i would love to have the turbocharged version just to have a little more fun in. Planning on putting on a K&N intake on it once i have the money for a little extra boost in the near future. Handles great, amazing stereo, and tons of room for college stuff. Just wish it had a V6 maybe........
July 18, 2009the car overall is very well built and good quality and very good on gas with the price of gas now the appearance is very nice looks very nice wheels chrome, it is a very fun car to drive it rides like a sports car overall a good car to buy
August 8, 2008Build Quality: Never been repaired! Car Comparisons: Thought about the cobalt SS and the Mazda Speed3 but they didnt compare! Performance: Well lets see topped out around 165. 0-60 in 5 seconds and handles like a dream! More About My Car: I LOVE This Car!
April 15, 2010Fast for a 4 cylinder thanks to the turbo. It's like driving a really fast go cart. Handles very well in the corners and can stop on a dime thanks to the 14 in. rotors and Brembo brake system. It can kick alot of other cars asses even the V-8's and still get 30+ MPG on the highway.
October 19, 2009Gracie the Silver Streak scoots right along. No problem getting into traffic. Love my car's appearance, quality, gas mileage good, and it drives well on trips! Overall, I love my little car. I would recommend this car to anyone looking.
September 23, 2009Trims & specs
Base MSRP $20,495 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 172 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 18.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $18,395 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 172 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 18.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $16,620 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 148 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 18.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $13,925 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 148 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 18.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $22,435 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 285 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 18.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 23 | Drivetrain FWD |
