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Though they have some of the most recognizable and imaginative cars around, Dodge is little known outside the North American market. In the Philippines alone, their market presence here was limited to a healthy dose of bore. After their design team got a shot of inspiration, and their Philippine distributor becoming more professional, Dodge is finally in the league of the big boys. The Caliber, their compact entry, looks to break all molds with its unique design and European-inspired road manners. The moment you set your sights on the Caliber, you know you’re in for a treat. It looks like nothing else on the road: part sport utility vehicle, part car. Its proportions suggest that it should be a soft-roader, but its front-wheel drive layout says otherwise. Standing next to it reveals its tall nature. However, thanks to a muscular physique such as the bulging fenders, angular surface treatments and sleek roofline, it doesn’t look tallboy at all. It runs on 18-inch rims, which look just right. Dodge is notorious for their liberal application of chrome, but thankfully, the Caliber has none. It looks young, dynamic and sporty making this a winner in the looks department. The cutting-edge design though doesn’t translate well inside, where the interior’s more flash than substance. For starters, the interior surfaces feel low-cost with controls for the wiper and air conditioning threatening to snap off at any time. In addition, the door sounds tinny and the door trims are made of some pseudo-rubber like plastic. If you’re not distracted by the poor fit and finish though, you’ll begin to marvel at the magic of the Caliber. It’s a God-given gift for geriatrics thanks to easy ingress/egress thanks to the high hip point and wide opening doors. The seats are mounted high—giving a great view of the road ahead. The seats are nicely supportive too, but an imperfect control layout spoils its chance of being a driver’s car. Major controls simply get in the way of one another. For example, the center console shifter is a nice idea, if only it didn’t get in the way of the A/C’s rotary ideals. The front arm rest with integrated iPod holder is a nice touch too, but it makes the parking brake inoperable. |
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