2012 Dodge Caliber Trims and Specs

As the base trim of the 2012 Dodge Caliber lineup, the SE nevertheless provides an optimal level of standard appearance, comfort and convenience features. This compact 5-passenger, 5-door hatchback comes equipped with 47.4 cubic feet of total cargo area, as well as a rear spoiler, 15-inch steel wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors on the outside. Inside, look for premium cloth upholstery, full power accessories and air conditioning, all standard. A cooled beverage container is also among this little people-hauler’s standard accoutrements, as are cruise control and tilt-wheel steering. Front and rear floor mats help keep things clean, while a 60-watt system that flaunts an MP3-capable single-CD player, 4 speakers and satellite radio remains standard entertainment.

Options for this base Caliber consist of available 17-inch alloy wheels and Uconnect infotainment with Bluetooth capability, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display and as a bonus add-on, rear-seat DVD entertainment.

Powering the front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2012 Caliber SE hatchback is the ubiquitous 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with a standard 5-speed manual transmission (with hill start assist feature) for 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque. Look for estimated mileage of 23 mpg city/27 highway with standard variable valve timing (VVT), while towing capabilities are limited to a maximum of 1,500 pounds with the proper equipment.

Standard safety equipment, finally, includes electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assist, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front head restraint whiplash protection.

Essentially sharing top billing with its SXT sibling in the 2012 Dodge Caliber trim lineup is the Caliber SXT Plus. This 5-passenger, 5-door compact hatchback wagon comes in front-wheel- drive (FWD) only and offers 47.4 cubic feet of total cargo area, while a sport-tuned suspension gives it a tad more panache on the road.

Outside, look for a standard rear spoiler, 18-inch polished alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors, while the cabin boasts upgraded cloth upholstery, sport-oriented gauges and switches, reclining rear seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat. Then there are such added standard goodies as a chilled beverage container, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and front and rear floor mats. Standard entertainment, of course, remains a 66-watt stereo with MP3-capable single-CD player, 4 speakers and satellite radio.

Of all the optional equipment for this top-shelf Caliber, probably the most noteworthy is a 368-watt Boston Acoustics system that boasts 9 Surround Sound speakers including a pair of articulating tailgate speakers, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls.

Further options include upgraded Uconnect infotainment with Bluetooth hands-free calling, a 6.5-inch display, 30GB hard drive and rear-seat DVD entertainment. Hard-drive-based navigation is also available, as is a power sunroof, each in standalone form, while a couple of optional Security Group packages add daytime running lights, front side-mounted airbags, remote engine start, a remote antitheft alarm and a trailer wiring harness.

The ubiquitous 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine with variable valve timing (VVT) remains the sole powerplant offering in the 2012 Caliber SXT Plus. Mated with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the four-banger is good for 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque, with mileage estimated at 24 mpg city/32 highway. Furthermore, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available in this flagship trim for added convenience, but mileage falls to 23/27. Finally, towing with either transmission is maxed out at 1,500 pounds with the proper equipment installed.

Standard safety features for the 2012 Caliber SXT Plus, meantime, include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Front fog/driving lights also come standard, while the aforementioned Security Group packages are offered as optional safety items.

Boasting a firmer suspension, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and some added appearance and cabin bling, the 2012 Dodge Caliber SXT represents the priciest trim in the Caliber lineup. Besides 47.4 cubic feet of total cargo room, a standard rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors, this 5-passenger, 5-door compact hatchback sports a chrome grille, body-color exterior trim moldings, 17-inch painted alloy wheels, premium cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats and a fold-flat front passenger seat. Of course, air conditioning and the touted cooled beverage container are delivered aboard this top-shelf trim, while cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and tilt-wheel steering also come standard. Entertainment, finally, comes via a 66-watt audio system boasting Uconnect voice-activated convenience, an MP3-capable single-CD player, 4 speakers and satellite radio.

Options-wise, the 2012 Caliber SXT remains eligible for upgraded Uconnect infotainment, with Bluetooth hands-free calling, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, rear-seat DVD entertainment and a 30GB hard drive. Additionally, navigation and a power sunroof can be delivered as standalone options.

Package-wise, the available Driver Convenience Group comes with heated front seats and a universal remote garage door opener, as well as a vehicle information center and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Finally, a pair of available Security Group packages offers, in the more elaborate selection, daytime running lights, front side-mounted airbags, remote engine start, a remote antitheft alarm and a trailer wiring harness.

Standard power in the front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) 2012 Caliber SXT remains a 2.0-liter variable-valve-timed (VVT) inline 4-cylinder engine. Under the management of the marginally reworked CVT, this mini-hatchback will put out 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque, with mileage estimated at 23 mpg city/27 highway. Towing, meanwhile, remains maxed out at 1,500 pounds when this little hatchback is properly equipped.

Standard safety features in Dodge’s midlevel compact hatchback include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front head restraint whiplash protection and front and rear head airbags. Front fog/driving lights are standard, as well, with either of the available Security Group packages offering some extra safety equipment, along with an available remote antitheft alarm.