If the 2009 Dodge Caliber doesn’t bring out your inner DJ, you probably should consult an audiologist. For 2009, Dodge upgrades the Caliber with uconnect, Dodge’s multimedia network for music, graphics, navigation and wireless telephone. With a 30GB capacity, and unique tailgate speaker pod, this is your ride to the “Land of a Thousand Dances.”

The 2009 Dodge Caliber features some unique capabilities. Caliber will help you chill out with a cool one from the glovebox/mini-fridge while you load your favorite iPod playlist and kick back. Headed for a tailgate party? There’s plenty of room for the cooler and a grill with the rear seats folded flat. Let’s say you’re a DJ making a gig. This baby will swallow the speakers and the mirrored ball with ease. The front seat folds flat to handle those lanky mic stands. With the seats lowered, the Caliber can carry up to 48 cubic feet of cargo. It’s true! Caliber is one of the friendliest and most versatile compact hatchbacks on the road.

Caliber comes in SE, SXT, R/T and high-performance SRT4 trim levels. All use a four-cylinder engine and come with front-wheel drive. The SE and SXT have a 148-hp 1.8-liter engine when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. If you are one of those shiftless types, your SE or SXT will come with a 158-hp 2.0-liter engine equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The R/T boosts you up to a 172-hp 2.4-liter teamed with the CVT. The Caliber SRT4 is a pocket rocket with its 2.4-liter 285-hp turbocharged-four (producing 265 lb/ft of torque) and a mandatory six-speed stick shift.

Caliber is Dodge’s most affordable and fuel-efficient car. The EPA’s mileage estimates for a 2009 model with the 1.8-liter engine are 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway. The 2.0-liter/CVT should achieve 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The 2.4-liter/CVT is almost as efficient at 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Remarkably, the SRT4 doesn’t carry much of a mileage penalty. You can expect 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with the hot hatch.

Traction control is standard equipment. Airbag coverage consists of side-curtain airbags and a knee airbag for the driver. Front-seat side airbags are optional. Stability control is standard on the SRT4 and optional for the SXT and R/T.

The Caliber gets top crash test scores. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) crash tests, the 2009 Dodge Caliber was awarded five stars, the top score, in both front- and side-impact tests. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) frontal-offset and side-impact tests, the Caliber earned the top rating of “Good.”

The budget-priced SE (MSRP $16,840) offers a great CD/MP3 stereo with an auxiliary jack and four speakers, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Dodge’s Sentry Key® theft deterrent system and a rear spoiler. Step up to the SXT and you get 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, a 60/40-split/fold rear seat that also reclines, a fold-flat front-passenger seat, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and a 115-volt outlet. Main options for the SXT include a sunroof, a hard-drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic updates (”uconnect GPS”), heated front seats, Bluetooth-enabled calling through Dodge’s “uconnect” multi-media control hub and color-keyed instrument panel trim. Dodge also offers a six-CD changer, the 30GB hard-drive-based uconnect digital music server and a special Boston Acoustics MusicGate speaker package mounted on the hatch lid. Like we said, Caliber rocks.

With the Caliber R/T, you can look like a drag racer. With the Caliber SRT4, you can be a drag racer! The Caliber R/T comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as heated seats and the MusicGate speakers. The R/T also has a sport-tuned suspension and steering system. Options include leather seats and 18-inch chrome-plated wheels. The outrageous SRT4 with its 285-hp turbocharged engine, wicked-looking hood with functional air scoop, and lowered suspension is a screamer. It also comes with 19-inch wheels, sport seating, upgraded brakes and a performance metrics display. The uconnect music server is also standard equipment while a 13-speaker Kicker audio system is an option.

This year’s Caliber offers Dodge’s exclusive uconnect hard-drive-based navigation and audio systems. The uconnect tunes system features a touchscreen, voice-activation technology, a USB port and the 30GB hard drive that can be used to store and play digital music. The navigation system utilizes the same unit, but adds voice-activated GPS capability.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber excels as a mini-carryall and rolling jukebox. Get creative with the options and you can be toting technology comparable to the Space Shuttle. Just kidding, but the Caliber does seem to be the high-tech DJ Dodge. That’s why we like to call it the party animal!

Source: IMN

Tags: Caliber

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 4:36 PM and is filed under Dodge Caliber. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.