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2009 Dodge Caliber Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$16,460 to $24,840

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.3

avg user rating

(11 reviews)
2009 Dodge Caliber Preview summaryImage

One fairly significant and one minor change define the 2009 Dodge Caliber hatchback. Gone are the R/T AWD, the SE Plus, and the SXT Sport trims. Newly available for 2009, at least in the pricier trims, is the Uconnect hands-free communications system. The Caliber, which replaced the Dodge Neon in '07, is still offered in four trim levels for '09: base SE, midrange SXT, higher-range R/T, and the high-performance SRT-4. Its 5-speed manual transmission, standard on all trims except the SRT-4, is a saving grace vis-a-vis fuel economy.

Caliber’s base SE trim, which is basic indeed, features a less-than-powerful but reasonably fuel efficient 1.8-liter, DOHC, 16-valve inline four that puts out 148 hp with the 5-speed manual. The standard single-CD, 4-speaker stereo, outside temperature sensor, and rear spoiler do little to offset the SE’s 15-inch wheels - deemed noisy in corners - and a lack of ABS. An EPA estimated 24/29 mpg city/highway might make up some for the SE’s lack of pizazz. Caliber’s ’09 SXT trim also comes standard with the 1.8-liter I4 and 5-peed stick shift, but offers a few more features, like 17-inch wheels, Satellite radio, air-conditioning with the popular Chill Zone glovebox drink cooler, power windows, and front disc ABS. A 2.0-liter, 158-hp I4 with a constant-velocity transaxle (CVT) that gets 23/27 mpg, is optional for both SE and SXT trims. Further options for the SE include front disc ABS and a 6-CD/MP3 system. For the SXT trim, options include the Musicgate Power Sound system, a sunroof, 4-wheel ABS with brake assist, and Dodge’s electronic stability program (ESP).

With the R/T and SRT-4 trim levels, the 2009 Caliber begins to approach true comfort and convenience. The R/T features a 172-hp, DOHC, 2.4-liter I4 and 5-speed manual (or optional CVT) that claims 23/29 mpg (the CVT is rated at 21/25). The R/T also comes with such standard offerings as 4-wheel ABS with brake assist, 18-inch aluminum wheels, a sport suspension, performance steering, heated cloth front seats, and Boston Acoustic speakers. Options for the R/T include a sunroof, leather, ESP, Uconnect, and the MyGig infotainment system. The ’09 SRT-4 is equipped with a turbocharged version of the 2.4-liter I4. Coupled with the solely offered Getrag 6-speed stick shift, the 286-hp turbo has earned raves from owners of ’08 SRT-4s. The turbo is rated 19/27 mpg. The SRT-4 also features 4-wheel ABS with brake assist, 19-inch aluminum wheels, performance steering, and a high-performance suspension. Options include ESP, MyGig, and a 13-speaker Kicker sound system powered by a 322-watt amp and 200-watt subwoofer.

With 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space, its much-vaunted roominess, and Dodge’s always-cutting-edge exterior styling, ’08 Caliber owners praised its looks and functionality. Owners were less enthusiastic, however, about the lower-than-advertised fuel economy from all Caliber trims and the poor acceleration of the 1.8-liter I4. Caliber’s standard safety features range from merely front and side curtain and supplemental airbags in the ’09 base SE to front-wheel disc ABS in the SXT to 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist in the R/T and SRT-4. The Dodge Caliber won NHTSA 5-star crash test ratings again for ’09.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
Sometimes our content pages are the result of a team effort. As with all CarGurus editorial, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2009 Dodge Caliber

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User rating:
by Bill S
Oct 27, 2014
Handled great and was fun to drive. The improved tires added better handling in rain and especially snow. It was easy to park and had great visibility. With the fold down seats it can handle most household purchases and even bicycles. Oct 27, 2014
by Steven F
Jul 01, 2014
I bought this car originally to travel for work and less than a month later was given a company vehicle. The car sat for a year until my wife got pregnant and had to give up her 2-door Accord in lieu for this more car seat friendly vehicle. She has been happy with it with the exception of the bad suspension (feel every bump) and the horrible sound dampining qualities (hear every road noise).Jul 01, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 21, 2012
I forgot to say that all the reviewers above who say they use it for "spirited driving" must mean driving while intoxicated, because you can't even use it for boring driving. It has absolutely NO get up and go. Spirited driving, that's a real laugh.Jun 21, 2012

2009 Dodge Caliber Pricing

Original MSRP
$16,460 to $24,840
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning delete: heater only · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Beverage cooler: cooled storage compartment · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear

Convenience Features

Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless/illuminated entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.12

Engine

Alternator: 120 amps · Battery: 525 CCA

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: black · Grille color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: HID

Locks

Power door locks: speed sensitive central locking

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 30GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Boston Acoustics premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.5 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.12

Engine

Alternator: 120 amps · Battery: 525 CCA · Oil cooler: auxiliary

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Paint: pearl · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: auto-dimming with microphone

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Sunroof: one-touch

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear seat folding: fold flat into floor · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Stability and Traction

Stability control: electronic

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 30GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Boston Acoustics premium brand · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.5 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brake width: 1.39 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Ashtray: with lighter · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 115V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.12

Engine

Alternator: 120 amps · Battery: maintenance-free

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Sunroof: one-touch

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear seat folding: fold flat into floor · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Stability and Traction

Stability control: electronic

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · CD changer: 6 · Hard Drive: 30GB · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand Speakers: Kicker · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.4 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brake width: 1.39 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Dash trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 115V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 2.96

Engine

Battery: maintenance-free

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Pickup tonneau cover: soft · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: tire pressure warning

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Sunroof: one-touch

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: fold flat into floor · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer

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