Which Dodge Caliber generation to choose
The 1 generation (2006-01-01 to 2009-08-31) is the only window that still offers Turbo gasoline, Diesel, AWD and a 150 hp 1.8 MT. It shows 12 versions in this catalogue (the generation field lists 13; 12 are shown). The restyling (2009-09-01 to 2012-11-30) cuts the line to three versions, all naturally aspirated Gasoline, all FWD, all with rear Drum brakes.
The 1 generation (2006-01-01 to 2009-08-31) is the only window that still offers Turbo gasoline, Diesel, AWD and a 150 hp 1.8 MT. It shows 12 versions in this catalogue (the generation field lists 13; 12 are shown). The restyling (2009-09-01 to 2012-11-30) cuts the line to three versions, all naturally aspirated Gasoline, all FWD, all with rear Drum brakes. If the buyer wants Turbo, Diesel, AWD, rear Disc or Disc ventilated, or a mixed consumption below 8.0 l/100 km, the restyling does not supply it. If the buyer wants a later production date and the same 170 hp 2.4 MT / 2.4 CVT / 156 hp 2.0 CVT pattern in a shorter list, the restyling is the only later catalogue.
What the restyling actually changed in the overlapping names: 2.4 MT (170 hp) keeps 9.7 s to 100 km/h, 192 km/h, 10.3 / 6.8 / 9.4 l/100 km, 1405 kg kerb and 180 mm clearance, but rear brakes go from Disc (1 generation) to Drum (restyling). 2.4 CVT (170 hp) in the restyling is FWD, 8.9 s to 100 km/h, 190 km/h, 1505 kg; city/highway/mixed consumption and gross mass are not measured. The 1 generation 2.4 CVT at 170 hp is AWD, 1505 kg, 190 km/h, with 0–100 and consumption not measured. 2.0 CVT in the restyling is 156 hp and 11.3 s / 186 km/h / 8.0 l/100 km mixed at 1365 kg; the 1 generation 2.0 CVT is 160 hp, 9.0 s, top speed not measured, 9.8 l/100 km mixed at 1378 kg. The restyle 2.0 CVT is therefore 4 hp down, 2.3 s slower to 100 km/h, 13 kg lighter and 1.8 l/100 km lower on the mixed figure.
Dodge Caliber specs: engines and versions to compare
Every engine is Inline, 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder. Layout is Front, transverse where measured; on three 174 hp cars it is not measured. Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) on Gasoline versions where measured; on both Diesel 2.0 MT cars it is not measured.
| Version | hp | Nm | cc | Fuel | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 MT 285 hp (1 generation) | 285 | 359 | 2360 | Gasoline 95 | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 2.4 MT 295 hp (1 generation) | 295 | 363 | 2360 | Gasoline 95 | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 1.8 MT 150 hp (1 generation) | 150 | 168 | 1798 | Gasoline 95 | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.0 MT 156 hp (1 generation) | 156 | 191 | 1998 | Gasoline 92 | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.0 CVT 160 hp (1 generation) | 160 | 191 | 1998 | Gasoline 95 | No | Variable | FWD |
| 2.4 MT 170 hp (1 generation) | 170 | 220 | 2360 | Gasoline 92 | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.4 CVT 170 hp (1 generation) | 170 | 220 | 2360 | not measured | No | Variable | AWD |
| 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD (1 generation) | 174 | 223 | 2360 | Gasoline 92 | No | Variable | FWD |
| 2.4 MT 174 hp (1 generation) | 174 | 223 | 2360 | Gasoline 92 | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.4 CVT 174 hp AWD (1 generation) | 174 | 223 | 2360 | Gasoline 92 | No | Variable | AWD |
| 2.0 MT 140 hp Diesel (1 generation) | 140 | 310 | 1968 | Diesel | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 2.0 MT 170 hp Diesel (1 generation) | 170 | 350 | 1968 | Diesel | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 2.4 MT 170 hp (restyling) | 170 | 220 | 2360 | Gasoline 92 | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.4 CVT 170 hp (restyling) | 170 | 220 | 2360 | Gasoline 92 | No | Variable | FWD |
| 2.0 CVT 156 hp (restyling) | 156 | 190 | 1998 | Gasoline 95 | No | Variable | FWD |
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.4 MT 295 hp = 125.0 hp/l; 2.4 MT 285 hp = 120.8 hp/l; 2.0 MT 170 hp Diesel = 86.4 hp/l; 1.8 MT 150 hp = 83.4 hp/l; 2.0 CVT 160 hp = 80.1 hp/l; 2.0 MT 156 hp and restyle 2.0 CVT 156 hp = 78.1 hp/l; 2.4 CVT / 2.4 MT 174 hp = 73.7 hp/l; 2.4 MT / 2.4 CVT 170 hp = 72.0 hp/l; 2.0 MT 140 hp Diesel = 71.1 hp/l. The Turbo gasoline pair is in a different class from every naturally aspirated 2.4; the Diesel 170 hp sits between the 1.8 and the 2.0 Gasoline on specific output, not below them.
Torque per litre: Diesel 2.0 MT 170 hp = 177.8 Nm/l; Diesel 2.0 MT 140 hp = 157.5 Nm/l; Turbo 2.4 MT 295 hp = 153.8 Nm/l; Turbo 2.4 MT 285 hp = 152.1 Nm/l; naturally aspirated 2.4 at 223 Nm = 94.5 Nm/l; 2.4 at 220 Nm = 93.2 Nm/l; 2.0 Gasoline 191 Nm = 95.6 Nm/l; restyle 2.0 CVT 190 Nm = 95.1 Nm/l; 1.8 MT 168 Nm = 93.4 Nm/l. If the question is towing feel rather than peak hp, both Diesel 2.0 MT cars and both Turbo 2.4 MT cars are the catalogue, not the 174 hp Gasoline.
Dodge Caliber horsepower vs weight: kg per hp
Kerb mass ÷ hp (lower is denser):
- 2.4 MT 295 hp: 1355 kg / 295 hp = 4.59 kg/hp
- 2.4 MT 285 hp: 1355 / 285 = 4.75 kg/hp
- 2.4 MT 174 hp and 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD: 1375 / 174 = 7.90 kg/hp
- 2.4 MT 170 hp (both windows): 1405 / 170 = 8.26 kg/hp
- 2.0 MT 170 hp Diesel: 1425 / 170 = 8.38 kg/hp
- 2.0 CVT 160 hp: 1378 / 160 = 8.61 kg/hp
- restyle 2.0 CVT 156 hp: 1365 / 156 = 8.75 kg/hp
- 1.8 MT 150 hp: 1325 / 150 = 8.83 kg/hp
- 2.4 CVT 170 hp (AWD 1 generation and FWD restyling): 1505 / 170 = 8.85 kg/hp
- 2.0 MT 156 hp Gasoline: 1425 / 156 = 9.13 kg/hp
- 2.0 MT 140 hp Diesel: 1430 / 140 = 10.21 kg/hp
- 2.4 CVT 174 hp AWD: kerb mass not measured
The 295 hp 2.4 MT is 3.31 kg/hp lighter than the 170 hp 2.4 MT (8.26 − 4.59). The 174 hp FWD pair is 0.36 kg/hp lighter than the 170 hp 2.4 MT at the cost of 0.7 s slower 0–100 (11.0 vs 9.7) and 9 km/h less top speed on the Manual (183 vs 192). AWD on the 170 hp 2.4 CVT costs 100 kg versus the 170 hp FWD 2.4 MT (1505 − 1405) and 0.59 kg/hp. The 140 hp Diesel is the heaviest per horsepower of every measured Caliber.
Gross mass, where measured: Turbo 2.4 MT 2010 kg; Diesel 2.0 MT both 2000 kg; most Gasoline FWD 1930 kg; 1.8 MT 1890 kg. Payload (gross − kerb): Turbo 2.4 MT 655 kg; Diesel 140 hp 570 kg; Diesel 170 hp 575 kg; 1.8 MT 565 kg; restyle 2.0 CVT 565 kg; 2.4 MT 170 hp 525 kg; 2.0 MT 156 hp 505 kg; 2.0 CVT 160 hp 552 kg. Versions with gross not measured: both 174 hp FWD, both 170/174 hp AWD 2.4 CVT, restyle 2.4 CVT.
Performance and mpg: 0–100, top speed, fuel
Fastest 0–100 in the data: both Turbo 2.4 MT (285 hp and 295 hp) at 6.7 s, top speed 245 km/h. Next: restyle 2.4 CVT 170 hp at 8.9 s / 190 km/h; 1 generation 2.0 CVT 160 hp at 9.0 s (top speed not measured); Diesel 2.0 MT 140 hp at 9.3 s / 196 km/h; 2.4 MT 170 hp at 9.7 s / 192 km/h. Then Diesel 2.0 MT 170 hp 10.6 s / 196 km/h — 1.3 s slower than the 140 hp Diesel despite +30 hp and +40 Nm, at 5 kg less kerb (1425 vs 1430). Gasoline 2.0 MT 156 hp: 10.5 s / 190 km/h. 2.4 MT 174 hp and 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD: both 11.0 s; tops 183 and 185 km/h. Restyle 2.0 CVT 156 hp: 11.3 s / 186 km/h. Slowest measured: 1.8 MT 11.9 s / 184 km/h. Not measured for 0–100: 1 generation 2.4 CVT 170 hp AWD and 2.4 CVT 174 hp AWD. Not measured for top speed: 1 generation 2.0 CVT 160 hp and 2.4 CVT 174 hp AWD.
Mixed consumption, lowest to highest where measured: both Diesel 2.0 MT 6.1 l/100 km; 1.8 MT 7.4; restyle 2.0 CVT 8.0; Gasoline 2.0 MT 156 hp 8.4; 2.4 MT 174 hp 8.7; both Turbo 2.4 MT 8.9; 2.4 MT 170 hp 9.4; 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD 9.5; 2.0 CVT 160 hp 9.8. Highway: Diesel both 5.1; 1.8 MT 5.9; restyle 2.0 CVT 6.7; 170 hp 2.4 MT and both Turbo 2.4 MT 6.8; Gasoline 2.0 MT 7.0; 2.4 MT 174 hp 7.6; 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD 8.3; 2.0 CVT 160 hp 8.7. City: Diesel 170 hp 7.6; Diesel 140 hp 7.9; 1.8 MT 10.0; 2.4 MT 174 hp 10.2; 2.0 CVT 160 hp 10.2; restyle 2.0 CVT and 2.4 MT 170 hp 10.3; Gasoline 2.0 MT 10.8; Turbo both 12.5; 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD 12.0. Not measured for all three consumption figures: both AWD 2.4 CVT and restyle 2.4 CVT 170 hp.
Tank is 51 l on every version. Range on mixed (51 ÷ mixed × 100), only where mixed is measured: Diesel 6.1 → 836 km; 1.8 MT 7.4 → 689 km; restyle 2.0 CVT 8.0 → 638 km; Gasoline 2.0 MT 8.4 → 607 km; 2.4 MT 174 hp 8.7 → 586 km; Turbo 8.9 → 573 km; 2.4 MT 170 hp 9.4 → 543 km; 2.4 CVT 174 hp FWD 9.5 → 537 km; 2.0 CVT 160 hp 9.8 → 520 km.
CO2 is 211 g/km on both Turbo 2.4 MT only; not measured on every other version. Euro 4 is stated on both Turbo 2.4 MT, on 2.0 CVT 160 hp, and on Diesel 2.0 MT 140 hp; not measured on the rest, including Diesel 2.0 MT 170 hp.
Fuel grade: Turbo 2.4 MT, 1.8 MT, 2.0 CVT 160 hp and restyle 2.0 CVT use 95; 170/174 hp 2.4 Gasoline and Gasoline 2.0 MT 156 hp use 92 (1 generation 2.4 CVT 170 hp AWD fuel grade not measured). Diesel versions use Diesel.
Dodge Caliber weight, dimensions, clearance
Wheel sizes are not measured on any version. Ground clearance: 175 mm only on 2.4 MT 285 hp; 178 mm on Gasoline 2.0 MT 156 hp, both 174 hp FWD 2.4, 2.4 CVT 174 hp AWD, and Diesel 2.0 MT 170 hp; 180 mm on everything else including 2.4 MT 295 hp, 1.8 MT, both Diesels’ 140 hp car, restyle trio, and AWD 170 hp. The 285 and 295 hp 2.4 MT therefore differ by 5 mm of clearance (175 vs 180) at the same 1355 kg kerb.
Rear brakes: Drum on restyle all three, on Gasoline 2.0 MT 156 hp, 2.0 CVT 160 hp, and 1 generation 2.4 CVT 170 hp AWD. Disc on Turbo 285 hp, 1.8 MT, 2.4 MT 170 hp 1 generation, both 174 hp FWD, 2.4 CVT 174 hp AWD, both Diesel 2.0 MT. Disc ventilated only on 2.4 MT 295 hp. Front is Ventilated disc on every version. Independent, spring front and rear on every version.
Which Dodge Caliber version to buy
Want the highest hp and the lowest kg/hp. Buy 1 generation 2.4 MT 295 hp, not 285 hp: +10 hp, +4 Nm, same 6.7 s and 245 km/h, same 12.5 / 6.8 / 8.9 l/100 km, same 1355 / 2010 kg, same 51 l, same Euro 4 and 211 g/km CO2. What 295 hp adds on the sheet is Disc ventilated rear (285 hp is Disc) and 180 mm clearance instead of 175 mm. Specific output 125.0 vs 120.8 hp/l. Both are Turbo, Manual 6, FWD, Gasoline 95, compression 8.6, 88 × 97 mm.
Want Diesel mpg. Both 2.0 MT Diesel cars return 6.1 mixed and 5.1 highway. The 140 hp car is the faster 0–100 (9.3 vs 10.6 s) at the same 196 km/h, with Euro 4 stated; the 170 hp car has 350 vs 310 Nm, 8.38 vs 10.21 kg/hp, and 7.6 vs 7.9 city, but Euro 4 and CO2 not measured, engine layout not measured. Neither Diesel exists after 2009-08-31.
Want the lightest Gasoline daily and the lowest Gasoline mixed figure. 1 generation 1.8 MT 150 hp: 1325 kg (lightest kerb in the whole model), 1890 kg gross (lowest measured gross), 7.4 mixed (lowest Gasoline mixed), 5.9 highway (lowest Gasoline highway), 11.9 s / 184 km/h. Specific output 83.4 hp/l beats every naturally aspirated 2.0 and 2.4. The cost versus 2.0 MT 156 hp is 1.4 s slower 0–100 and 6 km/h less top speed, with 100 kg less kerb (1325 vs 1425).
Want a restyle (2009-09-01 onward) without a Manual. Restyle 2.0 CVT 156 hp: 1365 kg, 8.0 mixed, 11.3 s, 186 km/h, 95 fuel. Restyle 2.4 CVT 170 hp is 140 kg heavier (1505), 0–100 8.9 s (2.4 s quicker), 190 km/h, but city/highway/mixed and gross are not measured. Restyle 2.4 MT 170 hp is the only restyle Manual: 9.7 s, 192 km/h, 9.4 mixed, 1405 kg — 40 kg heavier than the restyle 2.0 CVT, 1.6 s quicker, 1.4 l/100 km higher mixed.
Want AWD. Only two cars: 1 generation 2.4 CVT 170 hp and 2.4 CVT 174 hp. The 170 hp AWD has 1505 kg, 190 km/h, 0–100 and consumption not measured, fuel grade not measured. The 174 hp AWD has 178 mm clearance, 0–100, top speed, consumption and kerb all not measured. Neither AWD is in the restyling. FWD 2.4 CVT 174 hp is the measured neighbour: 1375 kg, 11.0 s, 185 km/h, 12.0 / 8.3 / 9.5 l/100 km.
Do not buy 174 hp expecting it to be quicker than 170 hp. 1 generation 2.4 MT 174 hp is 11.0 s and 183 km/h versus 2.4 MT 170 hp at 9.7 s and 192 km/h, despite +4 hp and 30 kg less kerb (1375 vs 1405). Mixed is better on 174 hp (8.7 vs 9.4). The 174 hp Variable FWD is also 11.0 s. Extra horsepower here does not buy a shorter 0–100 in the given figures.
Gasoline 2.0 choice inside 1 generation. 2.0 MT 156 hp: 10.5 s, 190 km/h, 8.4 mixed, 1425 kg, 92 fuel, Drum rear. 2.0 CVT 160 hp: 9.0 s, top speed not measured, 9.8 mixed, 1378 kg, 95 fuel, Euro 4, Drum rear. The Variable is 1.5 s quicker and 47 kg lighter but 1.4 l/100 km thirstier mixed; highway 8.7 vs 7.0.
Problems, reliability, engine oil, engine mount, engine swap and sale prices are not in the data, so they are not stated here. The arithmetic that is in the data is enough to rank the cars: Turbo 2.4 MT 295 hp for density and speed; Diesel 2.0 MT 140 hp for mixed 6.1 and a measured 9.3 s; 1.8 MT for kerb and Gasoline mpg; restyle 2.0 CVT 156 hp for a 2009–2012 Variable with a measured 8.0 mixed; 2.4 CVT 170 hp AWD only if AWD is the requirement and missing 0–100 and mpg figures are acceptable.