2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4
By: Juan G. Robbin
The Dodge Caliber emerges from the compact car doldrums.
Dodge Caliber SRT4 (2009)
Dodge took a nondescript, compact, five door hatch-back and turned it into a fun to drive and great to look at vehicle! It’s a simple recipe: Put in a 285 HP turbocharged engine, add 19 inch low profile wheels and tires change the brakes for larger units, add a dash of body flares spoilers and hood scoops, followed by two comfortable SRT sports seats and voila! You get the Caliber SRT4!
What a nice surprise! The Caliber STR4 is fun to drive, fast and comfortable. The design goes from an un-noticeable entry level car to an oh-wow-here-I-am center of attraction. There is a mean, aggressive look to the Caliber SRT4. The added power, aero kit, flares, spoilers and deep bumper skirts make this an appealing vehicle for any enthusiast.
We loved the sports seats, the easy to control clutch and the ergonomic gear-shifter position. Additionally the unique look of the sports SRT-series only body panels and wheels. There is a cool custom boost and vacuum gauge located on the extreme left side of the instrument panel. This is in addition to a complete set of instruments on the dash. The large center console has the audio and HVAC controls that have traditional, easy to find and operate knobs and dials. Most times these are easier to find and operate with minimal distraction as compared to touch screen or menu controlled functions. The Caliber SRT4 we drove had the superbly tuned optional Kicker/SRT Livin’ Loud Audio System with a 200 watt subwoofer in the cargo area.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and you are rewarded with a nice rush of power from the 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. There is some torque steer during hard acceleration, but this is to be expected, as the Caliber SRT4 is a front wheel drive vehicle. The large sports brakes are good overall but felt a bit numb in feedback, especially when coming to a stop slowly. Though, hard braking felt positive and linear. Handling felt direct, precise and sporty yet comfortable for everyday real-world driving.
Fit and finish are better than the previous generations of Dodge small cars, yet there are still small, noticeable nit-picks, such as the flimsy air conditioning vents that are difficult to adjust as well as some minor squeaks and rattles.
The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 offers a nice blend of style, modern design and excellent performance for its price. Is it worth a look? Absolutely!
The Essentials:
The Essentials
MSRP: $24,590.00 As tested: $26,920.00
Fuel economy (Observed): 19.8 MPG
Engine: 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder, 285 HP Turbocharged
Popular Options: Performance tires, 4 wheel ABS, Kicker sound system.
Visit: www.dodge.com