2012 Dodge Caliber Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Dodge Caliber overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Caliber, and includes Dodge Caliber safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

A good idea in theory that suffers from lax execution in reality, the Dodge Caliber is a small five-door hatchback with good looks and innovative features for an appealing price. Unfortunately, lackluster mechanicals and a cheap interior have kept the Caliber from rolling into more driveways.

Dodge recalibrates the Caliber lineup for the 2012 model year, which is expected to be the small car’s final one on the market. Buyers can choose from SE, SXT and SXT Plus trim levels, instead of the Express, Heat, Mainstreet, Rush, and Uptown variants from last year. Dodge has also refined the Caliber’s available continuously variable transmission (CVT), aiming to quell noise, improve response, and upgrade the CVT’s behavior characteristics.

With a simplified lineup, it’s easier to pick a Caliber for 2012. If you know how to operate a clutch pedal, you can get the least expensive version, known as the SE. It comes only with a stick shift, and includes air conditioning, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power heated mirrors, cruise control, and a tilt steering wheel. The stereo plays CDs or MP3s, and both satellite radio and an auxiliary audio input jack are standard, along with Uconnect hands-free calling and iPod integration. The Caliber SE also comes with floor mats, a sliding front center console, a cargo cover, an outside temperature display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a handy 115-volt power outlet. Unfortunately, it rides in dinky little 15-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, but getting the optional 17-inch alloys, which come with tauter suspension tuning, rectifies that problem.

The Caliber SXT, which comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), is the popular model. In addition to SE equipment, including the suspension upgrade and 17-inch aluminum wheels, the SXT includes antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, body-color exterior trim, fog lights, and a chrome-accented grille. A driver’s seat height adjuster is standard, along with a fold-flat front passenger’s seat and a reclining rear seat. Dodge also tosses in front reading lights and a removable and rechargeable LED flashlight.

Numerous options are offered for the Caliber SXT. We strongly encourage purchasing the side-impact airbags, which, in all honesty, really ought to come standard on all Calibers. Other extras include upgraded sound systems, navigation, a power sunroof, remote engine starting, heated front seats, a vehicle information center, a HomeLink programmable remote, a compass, individual tire pressure monitoring, a security alarm, and equipment for towing a trailer.

The Caliber SXT Plus is the sporty model. It comes standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, sport suspension tuning, polished aluminum wheels shod with performance tires, performance steering, and four-wheel-disc brakes. A power driver’s seat is also part of the package, along with visual cues like a chrome-tipped exhaust, chrome bodyside moldings, color-keyed interior trim and seat accents, and blacked-out B-pillars. The options list looks just like the Caliber SXT’s, but the SXT Plus is exclusively available with a MusicGate Boston Acoustics sound system with articulating hatch speakers (includes leather-wrapped steering with audio controls) and a CVT with an AutoStick manual shift mode.

Every 2012 Caliber is equipped with a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. EPA mileage ratings are 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with the stick shift. Get the SXT with a standard CVT and your rating is 23-city/27-highway. The SXT Plus model’s AutoStick CVT rings in at 22-city/27-highway.

Dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and side curtain airbags are standard on the 2012 Dodge Caliber. That’s just not enough, as you will see. Traction control, stability control, and antilock brakes with brake assist are standard on the SXT and SXT Plus, and these models can also be equipped with side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, which we strongly recommend.

Here’s why we’re such staunch advocates of the extra-cost airbags. In crash-tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Caliber gets a middling 3-Star overall rating. The problem is side-impact protection for the driver. In the standard test, the car gets 3 Stars. But in the side-impact pole test, it gets 1 Star. That’s very bad. In no test parameter does the Caliber earn better than a 4-Star rating.

Results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) confirm that the Caliber’s side-impact protection leaves something to be desired. The IIHS assigns a Good rating for the frontal-impact test and rear-impact injury prevention measures, and Acceptable rating for roof crush strength, and a Marginal rating for side-impact protection.

Reliability predictions aren’t favorable either, though they aren’t damning. Both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates believe the Caliber will provide average levels of reliability over the long run.

Built in Belvidere, Illinois, the Dodge Caliber shares its platform with the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Patriot. As such, it has more than 7.6 inches of ground clearance for going in the snow and a four-wheel independent suspension that’s more sophisticated than what’s found under popular choices like the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta.

The Caliber is also full of good ideas. It comes standard with a Chill Zone beverage cooler, for example. A 115-volt power outlet is also included on every model. LED lighting illuminates the cupholders, and the SXT and SXT Plus models are equipped with a removable and rechargeable LED flashlight. The SXT Plus can also be equipped with articulating, fold-down hatchback speakers to play music during outdoor gatherings.

Here’s another good idea: a fold-flat front passenger’s seat on the SXT and SXT Plus. This helps expand the Caliber’s 47.4 cubic-feet of cargo space that are available with the rear seat folded down. With the rear seat in use, the Caliber’s trunk measures 18.4 cu-ft.

It seems that for every good idea contained in the 2012 Dodge Caliber, there’s a greater flaw. Side-impact crashworthiness without the side airbags is not good. Fuel economy is unimpressive. Reliability is expected to be no better than average. For these reasons, Vehix thinks there are better choices to be made, even if we like the Caliber’s styling, innovations, and handy hatchback body style.

By Christian Wardlaw