2011 Dodge Caliber

Receives improved steering feel, additional functions for the navigation system and standard stability control for most trim levels.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Dodge Caliber is a compact four-door hatchback offered in five trim levels. The Uptown model gets you rear disc brakes (versus drums), automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and a premium nine-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with steering-wheel-mounted controls and flip-down speakers in the liftgate.

The sporty 2011 Dodge Caliber Heat takes the Mainstreet model's equipment list and adds 18-inch polished alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, sport-tuned suspension and steering, rear disc brakes (versus drums) and specialized cloth interior trim.

Building on the Caliber Heat is the Rush, which adds a larger 2.4-liter engine, 18-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, automatic The 2011 Dodge Caliber climate control, leather upholstery and a premium audio system with a touchscreen interface and 30-gigabyte hard drive.

The front-wheel-drive 2011 Dodge Caliber is offered with a choice of two different four-cylinder engines. A 2.0-liter engine rated at 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque is standard on all trim levels except the Rush. The 2.0-liter engine returns EPA estimates of 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined with the manual transmission, and 23/27/24 mpg with the CVT.

Safety
Standard safety features for the 2011 Caliber include a driver-side knee airbag, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and antilock brakes (rear drums for the Express and Mainstreet, four-wheel discs for the other trims). Front-seat side airbags are offered as options for all but the Express trim.

Among competing hatchbacks and crossovers, the 2011 Dodge Caliber's interior ranks midpack. One word to describe how the 2011 Dodge Caliber drives: mediocre.