Auto Guide
2012 Dodge Caliber
Used

Review and specifications

2012 Dodge Caliber

This small four-door hatchback with a raised seating position similar to a small SUV's replaced the Dodge Neon. The engine is noisy, and fit and finish are sub par. Ride quality is sound but unexceptional and handling is lackluster, though ultimately secure. The continuously variable transmission works well, but both the 2.0-liter SXT and 2.4-liter AWD R/T we tested lacked punch. Fuel economy wasn't impressive either. The AWD model was dropped after 2008. A quick, but crude, 285-hp SRT4 was available through 2009. The final year for the Caliber was 2012.

Market value
$4,050
Fuel
Conventional
Transmission
Manual
Seats
5
View listings Find dealers
Model year 2012
Owner rating Not rated
Reliability Not rated
Data updated December 4, 2025

At a glance

Model data

Overview

Powertrain
Conventional
Body style
4-door hatchback
Drive type
FWD
Transmission
Manual, 5-speed
Category
Small sedans/hatchbacks
Generation began
2007

Pricing

Current retail median
$4,050
Retail value range
$3,675 - $4,125
Original MSRP range
$17,380 - $21,280
Trade-in range
$1,220 - $1,475

Ratings

Road test score
49/100

Fuel economy

EPA city
26 MPG
EPA highway
30 MPG
EPA combined
28 MPG
Tested city
17 MPG
Tested highway
32 MPG
Tested overall
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost
$1,620
Cruising range
325 miles

Road tests

0-30 mph
4.3 sec
0-60 mph
10.5 sec
60-0 mph braking
149 ft
Avoidance speed
49.5 mph
Test status
Test Completed

Dimensions

Length
174 in
Width
69 in
Height
60 in
Wheelbase
104 in
Weight
3,185 lb
Maximum load
865 lb
Towing capacity
1,000 lb

Interior

Seating
5 people
Front head room
5.5 in
Front leg room
41.5 in
Rear head room
4 in
Rear leg room
26 in
Cargo volume
20 cu ft
Luggage
2+1+0

Environmental impact

Air pollution score
6/10
Greenhouse gas score
5/10
SmartWay
No

Brand context

About Dodge

Until recently, Dodge was known for building outrageous high-performance muscle cars, including the Challenger and Charger, with brashly named trims—Hellcat, anyone? Dodge is still finding its footing during the transition to electrification and stricter emissions laws, with plans for electrified and turbocharged muscle yet to materialize in dealerships. The Hornet compact SUV is based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, and is available as a plug-in hybrid. The Durango SUV soldiers on, largely unchanged from 2011 and still based on the same design as the 2011-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most alarmingly, it lags behind more modern vehicles in crash tests. Dodge sits near Chrysler at the bottom of our used car reliability rankings.

Vehicle ID: 6695 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: December 4, 2025

Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.

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