Get the manual tranny
This Caliber is equipped with a 5-speed manual. It may not be as precise as the Civic's, but works well nevertheless, and the clutch isn't too stiff for your left tibia. The base 1.8-liter engine produces 148 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque, which is adequate but not spectacular, as it's not as rev-happy as some Japanese rice burners. It does the job.
Also, the engine seems more content with the manual gearbox than the 2.0-liter/CVT automatic duo. The latter forces the 4-cylinder to climb to noisy levels, and the posted horsepower rating doesn't seem truthful; it's more credible when we're rowing though the gears ourselves.
Zero to 100 km/h accelerations are performed in 9.6 seconds, and my fuel consumption average is 9.7 L/100 km, which is good.
With its 17-inch wheels, the Caliber isn't as flingable as a Mazda3 Sport, but still generates a sporty driving experience. Its ride is comfortable on the highway, but tire and suspension thumping noises is omnipresent, a typical trait of the recent Chrysler products I've driven. There is also a slight wind leak coming from the driver's side door; a little complaining at the dealer's service counter should get this fixed.
Acceptable cockpit, for the price
The materials used are of average quality, as their appearance looks a little on the cheapo side. The plastics on the door panels and centre armrest irritate the elbows after a while (my elbows, anyway...). The color-keyed trim on the centre console and on the seats is included in the SXT Sport model and spices up the interior.
Heating and ventilation controls are easy to use, and the steering wheel is perfectly-sized. The audio system includes SIRIUS satellite radio, but its display is rather deficient; you can see the channel name in the trip computer screen under the fuel and temperature gauges, but artist name and song title are nowhere to be found. Why not?
This Caliber is equipped with a 5-speed manual. It may not be as precise as the Civic's, but works well nevertheless, and the clutch isn't too stiff for your left tibia. The base 1.8-liter engine produces 148 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque, which is adequate but not spectacular, as it's not as rev-happy as some Japanese rice burners. It does the job.
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| This 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine offers sufficient power. |
Also, the engine seems more content with the manual gearbox than the 2.0-liter/CVT automatic duo. The latter forces the 4-cylinder to climb to noisy levels, and the posted horsepower rating doesn't seem truthful; it's more credible when we're rowing though the gears ourselves.
Zero to 100 km/h accelerations are performed in 9.6 seconds, and my fuel consumption average is 9.7 L/100 km, which is good.
With its 17-inch wheels, the Caliber isn't as flingable as a Mazda3 Sport, but still generates a sporty driving experience. Its ride is comfortable on the highway, but tire and suspension thumping noises is omnipresent, a typical trait of the recent Chrysler products I've driven. There is also a slight wind leak coming from the driver's side door; a little complaining at the dealer's service counter should get this fixed.
Acceptable cockpit, for the price
The materials used are of average quality, as their appearance looks a little on the cheapo side. The plastics on the door panels and centre armrest irritate the elbows after a while (my elbows, anyway...). The color-keyed trim on the centre console and on the seats is included in the SXT Sport model and spices up the interior.
Heating and ventilation controls are easy to use, and the steering wheel is perfectly-sized. The audio system includes SIRIUS satellite radio, but its display is rather deficient; you can see the channel name in the trip computer screen under the fuel and temperature gauges, but artist name and song title are nowhere to be found. Why not?
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| Each control is where one expects it to be. |