2008 Dodge Caliber Quality Review

When it comes to comfort, TheCarConnection.com finds that reviews on the 2008 Dodge Caliber are mixed. Quality, on the other hand, receives a unanimous thumbs-down from reviewers.

Edmunds says that the 2008 Dodge Caliber "can seat up to five people, though putting three adults in back will likely result in grumbles about a lack of comfort for the center passenger." Up front, The Auto Channel reports that "front seat comfort [is] good," and Road & Track agrees "the front seats are reasonably comfortable." Consumer Guide discovers "ample headroom and legroom" in front and back, although "the cloth seats lack a lumbar adjuster, and thus are short on lower-back support." However, "the SRT4's front sport seats have enormous side bolsters, and they're finished in leather and a mesh material," according to Cars.com.

Storage space in the 2008 Dodge Caliber is a definite strong point, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Kelley Blue Book calls the Dodge Caliber "pleasantly roomy and functional" and notes that the "hatchback design accommodates a variety of cargo and passenger configurations." Edmunds reviewers concur, asserting "the Dodge Caliber is tailor-made to accommodate most daily tasks," including such features as a rear cargo area that "is made of vinyl for easy cleaning." In terms of volume, Edmunds claims "with the seats lowered, the Caliber can carry up to 48 cubic feet of cargo." On the inside of the Dodge Caliber, The Auto Channel reports, there are "cubbies all over" that help with interior storage; ConsumerGuide loves the "large two-tier glovebox" and "moderately sized consoles," along with "a chilled glovebox compartment" on models equipped with air conditioning.

While comfort and cargo space may be strong suits for the 2008 Dodge Caliber, build and materials quality are not. Edmunds writes that the 2008 Dodge Caliber's interior "is lacking in terms of materials and construction," even with the dashboard's "textured surfaces." Reviewers over at Mother Proof are "frustrated with the overly plastic interior, despite the addition of a $910 leather package," while ConsumerGuide notes that "low-rent, hard plastics cover most parts of [Dodge] Caliber's cabin, [and] padded surfaces are non-existent." Although "SRT4 models have a slightly dressier cabin with better detail work than other Calibers, [it] still significantly trails the MazdaSpeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI," remarks ConsumerGuide.

Another common complaint about the 2008 Dodge Caliber is that it fails to offer a quiet ride. The Auto Channel complains that the Dodge Caliber at highway speeds is "noisy." More specifically, ConsumerGuide reports "mediocre suppression of road noise," adding that "engines intrude during acceleration, particularly the turbocharged engine in the SRT4."