Dodge Caliber : KOed by the competition
The strength of the Dodge Caliber is the array of cool details. A removable LED cargo flashlight, a "Chill Zone" beverage storage bin, swing down liftgate speakers...
The exterior styling is intimidating and the interior, similar to that of the PT
Cruiser, is nicely designed. Moreover, the Caliber is loaded with safety features: ABS brakes, ESP, traction control; you name it. Versatility is achieved by way of countless, useful storage compartments while the front heated seats can be credited for passenger comfort.
But -- and there's always a but -- the Caliber clearly shows that Dodge had to make a few sacrifices in order to keep the price low. Noise insulation is average while the materials that make up the cockpit have a cheap feeling. The engine is handicapped by the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a slight torque steer is felt during fast take-offs.
Because the competition is so fierce, the Caliber will have to settle for the next-to-last place.
Suzuki SX4 : Wrong category
True, Suzuki wanted to showcase the all-wheel drive of its all-new SX4. By doing so, however, the car moved up to the "Small car over $18,000"
category, which it has no business in. It would have fared better in the "Small car under $18,000" category.
As a result, the SX4 is at a disadvantage because of its "econo-box" styling, a rather plain interior, an average noise insulation as well as a drivetrain that lacks refinement. It's no surprise that this car is the slowest of the group, achieving a 0-100 kph sprint in 11.5 seconds. I blame the slow-reacting 4-speed autobox for this lacklustre performance.
One thing's for sure: the all-wheel drive makes the SX4 the second best car in this category in terms of braking, just behind the VW Rabbit. But that doesn't quite cut it...
Main specifications
Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5
4-door compact
Base price: $20,990
As-tested price: $24,460
2.5-liter, 5-cylinder engine
150 hp, 170 lb/ft
5-speed manual transmission
Electromechanic steering
Traction control, ABS
Options: moonroof, ESP, rear seat side airbags
Hyundai Elantra
4-door
Base price (GLS) : $23,095
As-tested price : $23,095
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
138 hp
4-speed automatic transmission
ABS
Nissan Sentra
4-door
Base price: $16,798
As-tested price: $20,698
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
140 hp
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
ABS
Dodge Caliber
5-door hatchback
Base price (SXT) : $17,695
As-tested price: $22,185
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
158 hp
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
ABS, traction and stability control
Suzuki SX-4
5-door hatchback
Base price: $15,995
As-tested price: $22,595
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
143 hp
4-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel drive (i-AWD)
ABS
The strength of the Dodge Caliber is the array of cool details. A removable LED cargo flashlight, a "Chill Zone" beverage storage bin, swing down liftgate speakers...
The exterior styling is intimidating and the interior, similar to that of the PT
 |
| (Photo: Dodge) |
But -- and there's always a but -- the Caliber clearly shows that Dodge had to make a few sacrifices in order to keep the price low. Noise insulation is average while the materials that make up the cockpit have a cheap feeling. The engine is handicapped by the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a slight torque steer is felt during fast take-offs.
Because the competition is so fierce, the Caliber will have to settle for the next-to-last place.
Suzuki SX4 : Wrong category
True, Suzuki wanted to showcase the all-wheel drive of its all-new SX4. By doing so, however, the car moved up to the "Small car over $18,000"
 |
| (Photo: Suzuki) |
As a result, the SX4 is at a disadvantage because of its "econo-box" styling, a rather plain interior, an average noise insulation as well as a drivetrain that lacks refinement. It's no surprise that this car is the slowest of the group, achieving a 0-100 kph sprint in 11.5 seconds. I blame the slow-reacting 4-speed autobox for this lacklustre performance.
One thing's for sure: the all-wheel drive makes the SX4 the second best car in this category in terms of braking, just behind the VW Rabbit. But that doesn't quite cut it...
Main specifications
Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5
4-door compact
Base price: $20,990
As-tested price: $24,460
2.5-liter, 5-cylinder engine
150 hp, 170 lb/ft
5-speed manual transmission
Electromechanic steering
Traction control, ABS
Options: moonroof, ESP, rear seat side airbags
Hyundai Elantra
4-door
Base price (GLS) : $23,095
As-tested price : $23,095
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
138 hp
4-speed automatic transmission
ABS
Nissan Sentra
4-door
Base price: $16,798
As-tested price: $20,698
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
140 hp
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
ABS
Dodge Caliber
5-door hatchback
Base price (SXT) : $17,695
As-tested price: $22,185
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
158 hp
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
ABS, traction and stability control
Suzuki SX-4
5-door hatchback
Base price: $15,995
As-tested price: $22,595
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine
143 hp
4-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel drive (i-AWD)
ABS