The 2010 Dodge Caliber hatchback comes standard with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that makes158 horsepower and comes standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional continuously-variable transmission (CVT). The other engine available is a 2.4L 4-cylinder making172 horsepower, which comes standard on the R/T and optional on the SE and SXT.
Standard safety equipment for 2010 includes seat-mounted side air bags, first- and second-row side-curtain air bags, anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Brake Assist and all-speed traction control, driver and front-passenger active head restraints and tire pressure monitoring.
The base SE comes minimally equipped, while the SXT adds alloy wheels, power windows and doors, air conditioning and cruise control. SXT trims also get as standard the Chill Zone beverage cooler, a rechargeable flashlight system and AC household-type power outlets. R/T trims, in addition to sportier cues such as fog lamps, sport suspension, and chrome and blackout trim. Boston Acoustic speakers and a subwoofer and heated front seats are also standard.
Unique optional interior features available on the SXT and R/T include UConnect Navigation with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, GPS, real-time traffic and voice commands. Also available is iPod Control and the Premium Sound Group, which upgrades the sound system to a 9-speaker Boston Acoustics. The premium sound system comes with rear articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate that swing down for tailgating and other activities.
Late in the 2010 model year, in an effort to appeal to new buyers of the Caliber, Dodge added five new trims, and a complete re-configuring of standard equipment. The new Caliber lineup comprises the Express, Mainstreet, Uptown, Heat and Rush trims.
The "base" Express comes with air conditioning, iPod compatibility, keyless entry, power heated mirrors, Sirius satellite radio and UConnect wireless telephone integration. The Mainstreet trim adds aluminum wheels, body-color and chrome trim and fog lamps. The Uptown gets the Caliber's signature flip-down tailgate speakers, nine Boston Acoustics speakers with a subwoofer, heated front seats, leather seat trim and steering wheel and a power driver seat. The Heat receives power door locks, 18-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. The Rush trim packages together heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Media Center 430 stereo with hard-disk drive, a 6-way power driver seat and a special trunk-lid spoiler.
All but the Rush trim comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. The Rush comes with the 2.4L engine. The Mainstreet and Uptown trims come with a standard continuously variable transmission and the others include a standard 5-speed manual.
All-new Interior
Sporty Appearance
Advanced Technology Features
Solid Performance For A Small Car
For 2010, the Dodge Caliber gets a number of changes. Last year's base 1.8L 4-cylinder engine has been replaced with a 2.0L 4-cylinder. An all-new interior design features a cleaner, more refined design theme, highlighted by detailed chromed accents, soft-touch premium materials and additional storage spaces. A new Sport Appearance package is available for the SXT and includes new 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, performance steering and suspension.
Inside, a newly-designed instrument panel features a smoother look and includes additional cubby space, center storage bins and larger climate control impressions. Bright satin silver accents add contrast to the Caliber interior, while chromed accents brighten all vents, the shift bezel, door handles and cluster rings. New door-trim panels and center console armrests now feature padded soft-touch materials. Reclining seatbacks provide additional rear seat comfort. Once again, the MusicGate articulated tailgate speaker system is offered, along with Chill Zone beverage storage, a rechargeable flashlight, and Uconnect Navigation.
Late in the 2010 model year, Dodge significantly reconfigured the Caliber trim lineup. While the SE, SXT and R/T remain available, Dodge added the Express, Mainstreet, Uptown, Heat and Rush trims and gave each one a different set of standard features. All but the Rush trim includes the standard 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. The Rush gets the 2.4L engine. The Express and Rush trims come with a 5-speed manual transmission standard. A continuously variable transmission is standard on the Heat and Uptown and Mainstreet trims.
The 2010 Dodge Caliber is squarely in the small car category, offered as a 5-door hatchback. Yet with bold new styling inside and out, the 2010 Caliber combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the functionality of a larger wagon or small SUV.
Retail pricing for the 2010 model starts at just under $17,000. EPA mileage is estimated at 23 mpg city / 31 mpg highway for the 5-speed manual, slightly lower for the automatic transmission.