Dodge Caliber Model Years and History

The Caliber's lineup has been revised again and the trims are now known as SE, SXT and SXT Plus, but the relative equipment remains similar to 2011, but with a few changes. Mango Tango Pearl paint is no longer available, and Redline has been added. The SXT, or the "Heat" as it was once known, no longer offers a manual transmission and now comes with 17-inch wheels as standard equipment and the SXT Plus gets 18-inch wheels.

Late in 2010, the Caliber's lineup got some new trims: Express, Mainstreet, Heat, Rush and Uptown. These continue on into 2011. The 2.0L 4-cylinder continues to be standard on the Express, Mainstreet, Heat and Uptown. A 2.4L comes on the Rush and is available on the Uptown. Blackberry Pearl paint is no longer available, and Mango Tango and Redline are new. UConnect Web is no longer available on the Caliber.

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 Dodge Caliber lineup is mostly carried over from 2008, although standard equipment has been increased, option packages have been revised and there have been a few minor appearance changes. The MusicGate Power Sound package is now standard on the SXT Sport, and anti-lock brakes are now standard on the SXT. Floor mats have been made standard on the SXT and R/T, while Sirius Satellite Radio and a reconfigurable trip computer are newly standard on the SRT4. All-wheel-drive models have been discontinued for 2009, so all Calibers now have front-wheel drive. All Calibers get more sound insulation to keep out engine and exhaust noise. For all Calibers, new Dodge badging has been added, while SXT models get body-color door handles. Also in the color palette, Light Khaki Metallic and Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coats have been replaced by Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat and Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat.

Now in its second year of production, Dodge's 2008 Caliber retains its low price and high mpg reputation, but also adds the oomph of the company's performance division with a new $22,435 SRT4 model, which features a 285-horsepower turbocharged 2.4L inline four and aggressive styling. The base model becomes the SE, and the SXT and R/T models get some additional standard features for 2008.

Dodge's replacement for the Neon keeps the low price and high mpg rating, but trades in the Neon's familiar design for a more aggressive-looking five-seat, five-door crossover hatchback. The standard 1.8L four-cylinder engine for the base and SXT Calibers, achieves 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, which should make the economy-minded happy. A 2.0L engine is a $100 option on these styles, and boosts power by 10 hp to 158. The R/T comes with a 2.4L inline four-cylinder, and is available in front- or all-wheel drive. It also gets flashy exterior treatment, with 18" aluminum wheels, more brightwork, and front fog lights. But what sets the Caliber apart are the gadgets: models with air conditioning have a four-bottle beverage chiller inside the glove box called the Chill Zone, an auxiliary input for digital media, a sliding arm rest, neon rings that illuminate the cup holders, a removable flashlight mounted in the rear headliner of uplevel trims, and an audio system with two of nine speakers mounted in the liftgate, where they can articulate out for tailgate parties.