Used 2012 Dodge Caliber SXT Plus for sale 

The Dodge Caliber comes in three different trim levels each one is unique from one another by the optional features and the transmission they offer. This car gets all the mandatory features that come along with a hatchback of this price as standard and get a few more spot-on features as an option. As standard, it includes features like power windows, Tilt steering wheel, and air conditioning. The following table gives an idea of all the trims and features offered.

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We recommend the top of its line SXT for the lengthy list of features it offers. It also gets some additional exterior features and interior features and all this comes at a price cheaper than its competitors. It is priced at $18,765 which is not so expensive as its base trims. Some of the additional features you can opt for includes Power glass tilting and sliding sunroof, Remote engine start, Garage door transmitter, and Illuminated entry.

The Engine in the Dodge Caliber is not as active and powerful as its competitors but at least manages to keep up with them. The Dodge Caliber is offered in a single-engine option which houses a 2 liter inline 4 engine that is capable of generating 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque which is linked to either a 5-speed manual or a 2 speed CVT transmission and the power is channeled to the front-wheel drivetrain. The 5-speed manual gearbox is better in high-end RPMs and has a strong top end.

It has a capacity to boost from a standstill to the 60 MPH mark in a sluggish 9.2 seconds and can reach a quarter-mile run in 16.2 seconds. It has a smooth and linear power band but not enough to outperform its rivals. The top speed of the 2012 Dodge Caliber is 123 mph. Its Mediocre performance figures are a letdown.

The fuel-economy figures of the Dodge Caliber are pretty class-average when compared to most of its competitors. Boosted by a 2 liter inline 4 engine, the SUV manages to give a fuel efficiency of 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highways. Combined, it gives a mileage of 27 mpg. It is equipped with the smallest tank in the segment with a capacity of 13.6 gallons which in turn allows it to cover a distance of 326.4 miles in the city and 435.2 miles on the highway. Unfortunately, the Dodge Caliber is not the best when it comes to fuel economy among its competition.

In comparison, The Mazda 3 offers the highest mileage of 27 mpg in the city and 38 mpg while cruising on the highway. While the German equivalent has the least fuel economy of 24 mpg and 31 mpg in the city and on the highways respectively due to its high-performance engine.

Both Volkswagen Golf and Mazda 3 get the highest voluminous tank of 14.5 gallons. As a result, the Volkswagen Golf is capable of covering a distance of 348 miles and 449.5 miles in the city and highway respectively. The Mazda 3 is the winner of the range test and can traverse a distance of 391.5 and 551 miles in both city and highways respectively.

Front-Wheel Drive</p>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th>

<p>Transmission</p>

</th>

<td>

<p>5-speed manual/ 2 Speed CVT</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>6 speed</p>

<p>Automatic w/Manual Shift</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>6-speed manual</p>

</td>

</tr>

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<th>

<p>Power</p>

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<td>

<p>158 hp</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>170 hp</p>

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<td>

<p>155 hp</p>

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<th>

<p>Torque</p>

</th>

<td>

<p>141 lbs-ft</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>177 lbs-ft</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>148 lbs-ft</p>

</td>

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<th>

<p>0-60 MPH (seconds)</p>

</th>

<td>

<p>9.2 seconds</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>7.8 seconds</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>7.8 seconds</p>

</td>

</tr>

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<th>

<p>Quarter mile (mph)</p>

</th>

<td>

<p>16.7 seconds</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>15.9 seconds</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>16.1 seconds</p>

</td>

</tr>

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<th>

<p>Top speed (mph)</p>

</th>

<td>

<p>123 mph</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>130 mph</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>N/A</p>

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

<p>In comparison, The <a href="https://www.carindigo.com/volkswagen/golf">Volkswagen Golf</a> has the most powerful 2.5 liter inline-5 engine with a power output of 170 hp and 177 lb-ft. Both Volkswagen Golf and Mazda 3 accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 7.8 seconds and the Volkswagen is the fastest to a quarter-mile with a time of 15.9 seconds and tops out at 130 mph. While the Mazda 3 takes 16.1 seconds to reach a quarter-mile. While the top speed figures of the Mazda 3 are unknown.</p>

Some of the biggest strengths of Dodge Caliber’s interior are its immense cabin, supportive seats, and passenger comfort. The seats are made of premium cloth upholstery that accentuates the aura of the cabin even more. Some of the materials used in the cabin are plastics and look cheap and the quality is subpar when compared to its contemporaries. The centrally placed LCD display touch screen sports a modern touch to the neatly laid-out cabin.

It has a seating capacity of 5 passengers and there's plenty of headroom for both front row and second-row passengers when compared to its competitors and it also offers the highest shoulder room of the competition. It has a front-row headroom of 39.8 inches which is the highest in the segment and has the highest cargo space of 18.4 cubic feet.

In comparison, while all three cars have an equal amount of space for front-seat passengers, the rear-seat occupants will find themselves comfortable in the Dodge Caliber when compared to its rivals. When considering cargo capacity, the Mazda 3 has a cargo volume of 17 cu-ft which is pretty decent for a hatchback while the Volkswagen loses by a small margin measuring 15 cubic feet.

How intuitive is Dodge Caliber’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system on the Dodge Caliber features a Primary monitor with a Navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity is the highlight of the Dodge Caliber’s infotainment system.

As standard, it comes with a Speed-sensitive volume, four-speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3 decoder and an auxiliary audio jack, and an iPod/USB audio interface. Some optional infotainment features include

• 1st row LCD monitor
• Wireless phone connectivity
• AM/FM radio
• Radio data system
• SIRIUS AM/FM/Satellite with seek-scan, single in-dash CD player
• DVD-Audio

The Dodge Caliber looked so fresh in design when it was first released in 2007 but now the design has become outdated and all the other hatchbacks have become more modern and charismatic. It is time for a new makeover for this car. The upright stance and bold headlamps never really grabbed much attention and it is one of the drawbacks when it comes to buying decisions.

The Dodge Caliber has a curb weight of 2940 lbs which finds the sweet spot when compared to its rivals. It is 173.8 inches long, 68.8 inches wide and 60.4 inches tall and a wheelbase of 103.7 inches. The ground clearance is clearly higher than its contenders measuring 7.7 inches .

Among the competition, the Volkswagen Golf weighs 3023 lbs which is the heaviest in the competition. While the Mazda 3 is the longest car in the segment with a length of 177.4 inches. The Volkswagen Golf is the widest car in the segment with a width of 70.3 inches. On the other hand, the Golf happens to be the shortest car in the segment with a length of 165.4 inches. The Mazda 3 wins the wheelbase competition with a length of 103.9 inches.

Safety is the first and foremost factor in every car and there is not much to talk about the safety scores of the Dodge Caliber. The Dodge Caliber procures only 3 stars out of five in side-impact crash tests conducted by the federal government and it has gained only an acceptable rating for roof strength and a borderline score in side-impact tests but when it comes to safety features it offers a long list of features. Some of the standard safety features include

• Electronic stability
• Brake assistance
• Knee airbag
• Dual front impact airbags
• Remote keyless entry
• Front passenger airbag occupancy sensor
• Front seatbelt pretensioners

Albeit losing to its competitors in many areas, it still manages to outshine its rivals in terms of interior space and dimensions. The distinctive styling, underperforming engine, and CVT transmission are the major letdowns to consider but still, it gives a hard battle to its contenders. Of course, there will be others in the same space, so the competition is set to hot up but gets it right and the Dodge could be right in there, with a good shot of success. If you are looking for a hatchback that gives you the practicality of a hatchback and reliability of an SUV at a very cheap price, we put the 2012 Dodge Caliber on our list.