2007 Dodge Caliber Review: A Budget Compact That Feels Like a Budget Compact

The 2007 Dodge Caliber ranks somewhere around the bottom of the list if you’re looking for budget compacts that punch above their price point. From the cramped, cheap-feeling interior to the wimpy acceleration, the really disappointment with this car is that nothing about it screams “Dodge,”

Is the 2007 Dodge Caliber a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 6/10 – It’s a budget car that feels just as cheap as it is.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – All six of these points are for the cargo space, where the Caliber goes a couple cubic feet above and beyond the competition.
• Reliability 7/10 – The engine and transmission are well-built and most repairs are cheap. But recurring electrical problems can add up, and premature rust is a major worry.
• Safety 6/10 – Crash test scores are fairly average, and anti-lock brakes are hidden away in the top trim.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – The car gets decent mileage, but so does every budget compact.
• Value 6/10 – It’s one of the cheapest used compacts on the market for this model year, and it’s still not really worth it. You’d be better off saving up a little extra for a Mazda3 or a mid-range Elantra.

What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Dodge Caliber?

Consumer Reports found the 2007 Dodge Caliber to be “inventive” in its list of standard features, but outclassed by its competitors. They praise the comfortable ride quality and smooth CVT, but note that the acceleration is sluggish, the handling is unwieldy, and the interior feels cheap.

Kelley Blue Book users were generally unimpressed with the Caliber, giving it a paltry 70% recommendation. One driver reports the car giving out at around 170,000 due to issues with rusted suspension and structure. Fuel economy earned some positive remarks, but the overall reception is one of mild disappointment.

Edmunds liked the availability of an all-wheel drive system, and they added to the consensus that the vehicle is fuel-efficient but sluggish. They liked the versatile interior, and remark that too many safety features that should have been standard are hidden away in optional packages.

What Common Problems Does the 2007 Dodge Caliber Have?

The 2007 Dodge Caliber has 943 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around one in five of these are for electrical problems, and one in ten are for exterior lighting issues. Drivers report tail lights going out requiring new Totally Integrated Power Modules at around $1,600.

There are 101 complaints on file for steering issues, 164 for structure, 65 for the engine, and 83 for the powertrain. The shared theme among these categories: Excessive corrosion throughout the vehicle. Drivers report the steering, suspension and transmission giving out as a result of extensive rust.

Outside of the issues with excessive rust, engine and transmission complaints are relatively scarce. Everything under the hood is well-built, but it’s prone to premature corrosion. Once the rust settles in there’s really nothing you can do to fix it.

The 2007 Caliber has just 4 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is low for a vehicle this old, but with nearly 1,000 complaints having been registered, a few more recalls may have been in order.

How Long Will the 2007 Dodge Caliber Last?

On average, a 2007 Dodge Caliber should last between 170,000 and 200,000 miles. It’s worth noting that the Caliber hit the market with a CVT before the public really knew how to care for a one-speed transmission, so many of the used models out there have been skipping transmission fluid changes and may be in rough shape.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $422 for a 2007 Dodge Caliber, which is fairly low. Their most common reported problem has to do with a theft system malfunction leaving the car unable to start, while the most expensive common repair sees drivers shelling out $755 to $815 for a new alternator.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the Dodge Caliber is acceptable for the model year, if unimpressive. A CD player with 4 speakers and an auxiliary jack is about as fancy as it gets here. Remember that iPhones wouldn’t hit the market until a few months into 2007, so phone connectivity wasn’t even an option yet.

Safety technology is less than adequate. Anti-lock brakes are exclusive to the high-end R/T trim, and anything more advanced than that is nowhere to be found.

Is the 2007 Dodge Caliber a Good Value?

The 2007 Dodge Caliber is not a great value, even though the listing prices are dirt cheap and it’s fuel-efficient. You can find an entry-level model for around $3,774, and a high-end R/T lists for around $4,334. That sounds great, but you have to consider what you’re really getting for the money.

These list prices come from models with around 130,000-150,000 miles on the odometer, while drivers have reported the suspension and transmission giving out as early as 170,000 miles. The car is prone to premature corrosion, and the CVT, though more reliable than its reputation suggests, can’t withstand lax maintenance.

What are the Different Models of the 2007 Dodge Caliber?

The 2007 Dodge Caliber is offered in three trims, from the entry-level Base to the high-end R/T.

The Base model features:

• Cloth seating
• CD player with 4 speakers and auxiliary jack
• Vinyl flooring
• Manual windows and door locks

With a mid-range SXT you’re adding:

• Manual air conditioning
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows and door locks
• Power mirrors

Finally, the top-of-the-line R/T adds:

• Fog lights
• Premium cloth seating
• Anti-lock brakes
• Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls

What Engines Come In the 2007 Dodge Caliber?

• The base engine found in the 2007 Dodge Caliber is a 1.8L inline-four delivering 148 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a one-speed CVT in front wheel drive, and it averages 28/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• You can upgrade the Base and SXT model to a 2.0L i4 delivering 158 horsepower and 141 lb.-ft. of torque at 23/27 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a one-speed in front wheel drive.
• The R/T model comes packed with a 2.4L inline-four delivering 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a one-speed, and it can be configured in front or all wheel drive. It averages 26/31 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2007 Dodge Caliber Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2007 Dodge Caliber?

The 2007 Dodge Caliber is not one of the most comfortable cars in its class. The back seat stretches just 49 inches across, which is a bit tight even for a compact hatchback. The interior quality is low-grade, and the suspension is prone to early corrosion, which will leave you sitting right on the axle.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Dodge Caliber Have?

The 2007 Dodge Caliber offers up to 48 cubic feet of space with the back seats folded flat, or 18 cubic feet with the seats up. This is one area where the Caliber shines, offering just a bit more storage space than comparable hatchbacks like the Mazda3.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The Dodge Caliber ran for just six short years across a single generation, with the 2007 edition replacing the Dodge Neon. The nameplate would be retired with the 2012 model, with the final Dodge Caliber rolling off the assembly line in late 2011.

2007: The 2007 Dodge Caliber debuted as Chrysler’s second CVT-equipped model, featuring electronically controlled all-wheel drive and a trio of engine options.

2008: A 285 horsepower, 6-speed manual-equipped SRT4 model was added for 2008.

2009: Anti-lock brakes were added to the SXT trim for 2009, and interior noise levels were reduced.

2010: Dodge renamed the trim list for 2010, branding them the Express, Heat, Mainstream, Uptown, and Rush editions.

How Does the 2007 Dodge Caliber Compare to the Competition?

2007 was a great year for budget compacts. There’s no reason to buy a Dodge Caliber, unless you can find one with very low mileage, in excellent condition, for under three grand.

Otherwise, the 2007 Mazda3 is worth the extra thousand dollars it typically lists for, delivering superior performance at the entry level with more safety features, a more comfortable ride, and a longer life expectancy.

The 2007 Hyundai Elantra is a solid choice, too, although it’s not available as a hatchback. It typically lists in the same price range as the Dodge Caliber, but, again, with better performance, a better cabin, and better safety features at the entry level.

Even at the rock bottom prices the Caliber typically sells for, it’s just not a very good compact. The 2007 model year offered up a lot of budget cars that didn’t feel like budget cars. The Caliber is a budget car that feels like a budget car.

Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Dodge Caliber?