2012 Dodge Caliber

The hatchback segment has always been a risky one in the US, so it is not surprising that Dodge Caliber is headed for the chopping block this year. But the automaker cannot even use the growing popularity of the crossover as an excuse. The fact of the matter is that, in comparison to any vehicle, the Caliber fails to impress. Sure, it has a spacious cabin and a pretty decent amount of cargo capacity for a compact car, but it feels cheap, gets poor gas mileage, and has a questionable safety and reliability history. The fact that competitors like the Ford Focus and Mazda 3 are continuing production after 2012 shows that it is possible for a hatch to survive in the USA, it just has to be good.

The exterior of the new Dodge Caliber is just as uninspired as ever. Where the competition went in the direction of sleek lines and reasonable height, Dodge took its bold, chunky styling a little too far. This gives the Caliber a sort of squashed-crossover appearance. The front bumper and grille are both blocky, as are the halogen headlights. Surprisingly, the 15-inch wheels on the base model are actually round, and larger 17- or 18-inch variants support the upper specs. Also standard on the more expensive trims are fog lights and a bright grille. The body can be painted in one of five colors, including Redline 2 Coat and Tungsten Metallic, which shows a bit better in the sales catalog images than plain Black or White.

As is befitting of the segment, it has compact dimensions measuring 173.8 inches long, with a 103.7-inch wheelbase. It is slightly wider than average, at a width of 68.8 inches with the mirrors folded, which could partially account for its relatively hefty weight of around 3,000 lbs.

Powering the vehicle is a 2.0-liter inline-four engine, developing 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque. This should be adequate for a compact, but the Caliber struggles to get by. This could be in part due to the hefty weight of the vehicle, but the unrefined CVT transmission on certain trims is, no doubt, also partially to blame.

Throttle responses are sluggish, at best, so you won't make the 0- to 60 mph sprint in under nine seconds, try as you might. Top speed is capped at just over 120 mph, though you will unlikely have the time to max out before needing to stop for traffic lights. But, despite all this, the little automobile gets you where you need to go without making too much of a fuss, just so long as you are not in a hurry.

This is not a fun car, we're sorry to say. While many rivals can boast the 'hot hatch' moniker, the Caliber cannot. It is a tool for transportation, a service it performs sufficiently, but not with any particular zest. Acceleration is poor, so you'll be spending a lot of time with your foot flat just to feel like you are making progress.

Handling is capable, but not nimble. Thankfully, the compact does not need much room to maneuver. Comfort is decent for the price point, but the sport-tuned suspension on the top trim does not actually make enough of a difference to warrant the extra cost. On the plus side, the drone of the powertrain should drown out any wind and road noise.

Fuel economy varies noticeably between the two available configurations. With the manual gearbox equipped, you can expect EPA-estimated returns of 24/31/27 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. But, while CVT transmissions are usually known for their frugal economy, the one installed here returns appalling figures of 23/27/24 mpg. This means you get an extra 40 miles worth of travel with manual since a full 13.6-gallon tank offers a range of 367 miles between stops. Either way, the Caliber will cost you quite a lot at the end of the month.

After looking at the outside, you would not be blamed for expecting the interior of Caliber to be just as gauche. You would be pleasantly mistaken. Inside, there are better-quality plastics than when the car was first introduced, with some even being soft to the touch. But the predominant design philosophy is still very much "big is better", with everything being unnecessarily chunky. Nevertheless, there is enough room for five within the vehicle. If the engineers had been a little more reserved, though, there would be more legroom in the back, since larger adults may struggle to fit comfortably. As for fabrics, there is not much in the way of choice. In fact, you only choose the color, since Cubic cloth is the only material available.

In terms of storage capacity, the trunk can stow up to 18.4 cubic feet of stuff, or 47.4 cubic feet with the rear seats down. There are also a few cupholders around the cabin, a center storage cubby, and a standard glove compartment.

The old adage "you get what you pay for" has never been truer than in the case of the new Caliber. Standard features are sparse, to say the least. On the entry-level SE, air conditioning, cruise control, remote keyless entry, and a basic media system with SiriusXM comprise the standard features. You have to pay extra for the Uconnect system that includes Bluetooth functionality. The same is true for the 6.5-inch media center on the SXT, as well as the power sunroof. The top-tier SXT also receives access to a premium sound system, namely a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics setup and controls mounted on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

No advanced safety features are available to the hatch, but it is outfitted with front and side curtain airbags. In its review of the Dodge Caliber, the NHTSA awarded the car a rather worrying overall rating of three stars, with the overall side pole crash test scoring just a single star. The IIHS' Caliber reviews were just as scathing, with the side tests earning a low score of Marginal. Frontal tests got a score of Good, at least. The hatchback only receives standard warranty coverage, despite these failings. The bumper-to-bumper plan and roadside assistance are covered for three years or 36,000 miles, while the drivetrain has a 100,000 mile/5-year warranty.

The price of the Dodge Caliber is pretty low, at $17k for the starter trim and just under $19k MSRP for the top model. But considering how much, or rather how little, you get, these prices are just not low enough. The 2012 Dodge Caliber offers a spacious cabin and a respectable trunk, but it has very little in the way of built-in equipment, and absolutely no advanced driver-aids. It also has some of the worst safety scores and offers fuel economy that is less impressive than some sedans. It simply is not worth the cost, which is likely why it is being discontinued. You'd be better off directing your attention to a hatchback that has the grit to survive on the American market.