2008 Dodge Caliber - Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews from Around the Web
We have scoured the web for expert reviews of this car and found the best ones for you to read. Found 10 reviews. This list is displayed in ranked order based the reviews we think are the best.| Ranking | Details |
|---|---|
| #1 |
2008 dodge caliber Professional Edmunds ReviewSource: Edmunds...A 2.0-liter engine is an optional upgrade; it makes 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque. The Caliber R/T comes with a 2.4-liter engine good for 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. The R/T is also the only Caliber available with all-wheel drive. The high-performance Caliber SRT4 is front-wheel drive and packs a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine good for 285 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. In terms of transmissions, the 1.8-liter engine comes paired to a five-speed manual only. The front-wheel-drive R/T also has a five-speed manual transmission. Both 2.0-liter engine and R/T AWD models come standard with a CVT... |
| #2 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...It looks better though. The hood scoop and new front fascia with larger air intakes for the brakes and bigger grille give it a more aggressive face. It fits well into the SRT family. Even the rear spoiler looks appropriate. It's still a Caliber, but with some brawn to match its muscle. Interior needs refinement Sadly, the interior still feels too much like the low-end Caliber. It comes with the SRT racing seats, which are snug, but comfortable. The dash still looks like it was designed on an Etch-O-Sketch, with lots of flat surfaces and straight lines. The door's arm rest is hard, which... |
| #3 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The rechargeable unit can be reached from behind the car or from the backseat. The glove compartment has upper and lower sections, the bottom of which can serve as the optional Chill Zone beverage cooler. Connected to the air conditioning, it chills up to three cans or bottles that rest on a contoured mat. We've seen heated/cooled compartments before, but this one cools even when the cabin heat is on by running the air-conditioning compressor. MusicGate Power is Dodge's name for a Boston Acoustics premium audio system with two special speakers in the liftgate. They face forward normally, but... |
| #4 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The engine comes from a family of aluminum four-cylinder engines developed jointly by DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The SRT4's suspension has been tightened up to cope with the turbo's added power, and 19-inch wheels provide a solid grip on the pavement as well as filling out the sizable fender flares. The ride can be choppy and harsh over rough pavement. The steering is direct, and body lean has been held in check for a vehicle that is so tall. The Caliber's tall roofline is similar to that of a compact SUV. The seats are high for good visibility, and getting in and out is easy... |
| #5 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...In fact, I was surprised at how much attention the Caliber SRT4 drew -- just as those people were surprised to see someone older than 20 at the wheel. The Caliber SRT4's engine would never be confused with a Honda, but it's reasonably smooth and plenty powerful, even before the turbocharger kicks in. And when it does, hang on: Like many powerful front-wheel-drive cars, the Caliber SRT4 has a fair amount of torque steer under hard acceleration -- that's when the engine's torque actually steers the car just slightly left or right. Not a problem, but if you aren't expecting it, torque steer can... |
| #6 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The R/T comes only with the 2.4-liter, CVT and all-wheel drive. An R/T with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive is promised for September 2006. The 1.8-liter's power specs might not look too impressive, but I found it did a decent job of accelerating the Caliber SXT with the manual transmission. The torque is well distributed across the engine-speed range for such small displacement. The R/T's 2.4-liter made for more satisfying sprints, despite being tied to all-wheel drive and its additional weight. It's interesting that the only automatic transmission is a CVT. I've never had a problem... |
| #7 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The center console also has an armrest that can be moved forward or backward to accommodate the front-seat occupants. There is even a removable, self-recharging flashlight embedded in the dome light, and a 115-volt power outlet is provided for devices such as laptop computers. For safety, front and side air bags are standard, and the side bags are in place for front and rear passengers. High-strength steel was used throughout the body structure for better impact protection. The 2.4-liter engine is quite responsive, although the continuously variable transmission, without discernible shift... |
| #8 |
2008 Dodge Caliber OverviewSource: CarGurus...The Caliber comes in 4 trims: the SE, SXT, R/T FWD, and R/T AWD.Think of the SE and SXT as the more basic trims and the R/T as the more premium trim. The SE and SXT have a standard 1.8 L, 148 hp engine with 5 speed manual transmission that you can upgrade to a 2.0 L, 158 hp model. The R/T features a 2.4 L, 172 hp engine with 2 speed continuously variable transmission. All trims include standard front and side curtain airbags. Gas mileage comes out to 28 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.Overall, reviewers like the '08 Caliber's innovative design, comfort, and conservative fuel economy. On... |
| #9 |
Review: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4Source: MSN Autos...torque steer becomes manageable.Four laps around the 10-turn road course gave a decent feel of how the SRT4 handles. Beneath its sheet metal, the souped-up hatch conceals SRT suspension tweaking with performance-tuned shocks and springs, plus heavy-duty sway bars. The suspension is lowered an inch in front and nearly an inch the rear.The SRT4 isn't what I would call a precision-handling car. However, the suspension exhibits excellent body control with surprisingly little body roll and the ride is correspondingly firm — though never uncomfortable. There isn't much real feedback from the... |
| #10 |
2008 Dodge Caliber Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The Inside The SRT4's aggressive exterior is paired with a cabin that loses points for its lack of uniform graining on the dash plastic and unremarkable fit-and-finish. The all-black interior gives the SRT4 a purposefulness that fits the car's performance aspirations. One SRT-specific cue is a turbo-boost gauge on the left side of the steering wheel that looks pretty cool, but it isn't optimally positioned to glance at quickly when driving the car hard. A center tachometer also replaces the regular Caliber's center speedometer in the SRT4. The SRT4's front sport seats have enormous side... |
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