Wagons and Hatchbacks
2010 Dodge Caliber Rush
What it Is: Five-door, front-wheel drive hatchback.
Who it's For: Families who want five-door hatchback convenience and need only two LATCH positions.
What's Hot: Hatchback body offers good cargo space.
What's Not: Stability control and side airbags not standard.
Family Friendly Options: UConnect navigation, phone and web options, Chill Zone beverage storage.
How It Got Its Score: The manual transmission Caliber gets decent gas mileage and mostly good safety ratings except for the IIHS side-impact test. The Rush slips a little against the Heat based on fuel economy.
Dodge sells the Caliber with a 2.0-liter, inline, four-cylinder engine or a 2.4-liter, inline-four, with a choice between a five-speed manual or a constantly variable automatic transmission. Forgoing the previous letter designations for 2010, the various models have names, including Express and Rush. The Rush is powered by the 2.4-liter engine with either the five-speed manual or the CVT automatic. The manual has the edge when it comes to fuel economy, delivering 23 mpg city and 29 highway, while the CVT's mileage drops to 21 city, 25 highway. Options set the Rush apart from the Express, with all of Dodge's Uconnect goodies available—multimedia, phone, navigation and Web through a 3G wireless router. All of that should keep any age passenger fully entertained. The Caliber gets five-star safety ratings from the government but falls short with a Marginal side-impact rating from IIHS.
Specifications
Price |
|
| MSRP |
$20,145 |
| Destination |
$750 |
| |
| |
| |
Mechanical
Engine Size |
2.4 liters |
|
Engine Type |
Inline-4 |
|
Horsepower |
172 hp |
|
Torque |
165 lb.-ft. |
|
Fuel |
Regular Unleaded |
|
Drivetrain |
Front Wheel Drive |
|
Transmission |
Continuously Variable |
|
Optional Transmission |
5-Speed Manual |
Fuel Economy
EPA City |
21 mpg |
|
EPA Highway |
25 mpg |
|
EPA Combined |
23 mpg |
Utility
Vehicle Type |
Compact |
|
Family Friendliness |
7.6 |
|
Doors |
Five |
|
Seat Rows |
Two |
|
Passengers |
Five |
|
LATCH Positions |
Two |
|
Cargo Space |
18.5 cu. ft. |
|
Max Cargo Space |
48.0 cu. ft. |
Safety
NHTSA Driver Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Passenger Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Driver Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rear Passenger Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rollover |
4 Stars |
|
IIHS Front |
Good |
|
IIHS Side |
Marginal |
|
IIHS Rear |
Good |
|
Stability Control |
Optional |
|
Traction Control |
Optional |
|
Brake Assist |
Optional |
|
Side Airbags |
Thorax and Curtain |
|
Collision Avoidance |
Not Available |
|
Active Cruise Control |
Not Available |
|
Photos
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