Dodge: Dressed for visible success

The Caliber's muscular exterior hides its secret - a small engine. Photo / Supplied

Dodge's Caliber is like an ineffective superhero: it has the muscle suit and the eye-catching name, and it's rather endearing, but much of that show doesn't translate into go.

Your opinion on the car will largely depend on how objective your buying decision is, and what you think of when you hear the word "Dodge".

They boys of my household think "V8" and "Ram". So the Caliber's normally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine came as a major disappointment.

What made up for it was that muscular style. It looks every inch the aggressive American with an over-the-top confidence attracting attention wherever it went.

Your neighbour's Corolla GLX may cost virtually the same as the $38,990 Dodge, but won't draw double-takes in the supermarket carpark or questions outside the Sunday cafe like this Caliber will.

Nor will your kids overlook its foibles; my 8- and 10-year-old passengers deemed the red dash insets with matching stitching and glowing cupholder rings "cool" and were willing to forgive the high waistline that slightly restricted their view out, though their opinion might change with time.

However, even they'd clicked there's no grunter under this bonnet. But the new CVT (continuously variable) auto is much better than the old, with smooth changes and none of that thrash-metal soundtrack when accelerating.

Progress is competent, rather than brisk, though there's very little downhill engine braking with the car prone to run away on very steep descents whatever gear I'd selected.

On the bright side, economy in the mid eights was acceptable, especially if you associate Dodge with gas-guzzling.

However, handling was closer to the American norm than I'd like: ride was comfy but there was plenty of understeer and a bit more roll than expected - almost soft-roader in style. Then again, if "Dodge" hadn't also meant "Viper" I might have been more open to the family-friendly set-up, and less keen to forgive the poor rear vision imparted by that solid C-pillar.

As for the build quality, it appears the gremlins that dogged the first Dodges to arrive have been addressed.

The cabin looked and felt solid, and although there are still cheap-feeling hard plastics, the areas you touch the most are clad in slightly softer materials.

There are some nice details, too, like the rear seatbacks' adjustability and their ability to fold flat; the centre armrest/cubby that slides to and fro; stain-resistant fabrics for the seats; the chilled glovebox with its drink-can rack; and even a removable rechargeable torch in the boot.

This Caliber won't be your first choice if common sense objectivity is your approach. But if you need a sensible hatch, like to own a head-turner with character, and are prepared to overlook a few relatively minor foibles to get it, the Dodge could be what you're after.

Just don't expect it to come with a tarmac-tearing V8.

DODGE CALIBER

We like
Brash American looks, well-specced cabin

We don't like
Soft handling dynamic, still some cheap plastics, poor vision from the back seat

Performance
0-100 not available, 8.0l/100km (claimed)

Powertrain
2.0-litre four, 115kW at 6300rpm and 190Nm at 5100rpm, CVT auto with six-speed manual select

Safety
Four airbags, ABS brakes and stability control

What it's got
18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air con, six-disc CD/DVD/MP3, refrigerated glovebox, fog lamps

Vital stats
4415mm long, 352/1013-litre boot, 51.5-litre tank