Instruments on the dashboard include white-faced analog gauges housed in chrome-rimmed binnacles.

At the center of the dash is a cluster of stacked controls for climate and audio systems. Below the center stack, a floor-mounted console cradles the transmission's shifter lever in a squared gate.

Measures for passenger safety in the cabin extend from the sturdy safety-cage construction to front seatbelts with load-limited and pretensioning apparatus, backseat restraints with upper and lower anchors to mount a child's seat, smart multi-stage air bags up front and curtain-style air bags concealed in headliners above side windows for outboard seats in front and back.

Caliber also has active safety systems designed to avoid accidents, including the quick-response rack and pinion steering system and optional equipment like the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and anti-skid devices via the electronic stability control (ESC) system coupled to all-speed traction control (ASTC) and hydraulic brake assist (HBA).

Dodge offers three different four-cylinder engines to propel Caliber through three trims tagged as a base SE, sporty SXT and the performance model, Caliber R/T. Price-leading Caliber SE packs a 1.8-liter plant with dual variable valve timing (VVT) to generate 148 hp at 6500 rpm plus torque of 125 lb-ft at 5200 rpm. It comes with a five-speed manual shifter.

Caliber SXT uses the 1.8-liter engine or a 2.0-liter VVT four-pack which climbs to 158 hp at 6400 rpm with 141 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. The 2.0-liter engine links to a continuously variable transaxle (CVT).

Caliber R/T (the initials signify "Road and Track" in recognition of Dodge's muscle car heritage) totes a 2.4-liter VVT rendition that makes 172 hp at 6000 rpm and 165 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. With the 2.4-liter plant, the CVT gains a six-step AutoStick. Also, Caliber R/T with the 2.4-liter engine adds an on-demand AWD device with electromagnetic control of the front/rear torque split, which defaults to FWD.

Even the entry-issue Caliber SE brings a long list of standard equipment including the curtain-style air bags, rear seatbacks split 60/40, illuminated front cupholders, front console sliding armrest, vinyl-clad cargo floor and auxiliary radio input jack.

Prices begin at $13,425 for Caliber SE. Caliber SXT shows the MSRP at $15,425, while Caliber R/T tallies to $19,425.

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