The Dodge Caliber
isn’t the most ideal off-road vehicle, but if you’re looking for a compact car with tons of added utility, the Caliber’s 7.7-inch ground clearance will be plenty for gravel roads and campsites. While it only offers the power of a compact car, the Dodge Caliber is much more able than many of its competitors to tackle bumpy roads. However, its front-wheel drive setup is not optimal for slippery or exceptionally rugged conditions.
Taking your hatchback to the cabin for the first time and not sure how it’ll fare on sketchier roads? Jerry
, the car insurance
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, is here with the Dodge Caliber off-road rating. Read on to learn more about this sport wagon’s specs. Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowCan the Dodge Caliber go off road?
A Dodge Caliber won’t offer the power or durability you need for off-roading, but it excels on bumpy roads and gravel streets with its higher-than-average ground clearance.
The whole idea of roads is to provide a comfortable surface for cars to drive on. When removed from the pavement, serious damage may occur unless the car is sufficiently equipped.
Let’s take a look at what the Dodge Caliber does and doesn’t have going for it in terms of off-road ability.
Ground clearance
If it weren’t for its minimum ground clearance of 7.7 inches, the Dodge Caliber would be a decisively terrible vehicle to take off road. But you can do a lot with this extra ground clearance!
A minimum of 8.8 inches of ground clearance is recommended by experts for off-roading—so the Caliber falls just shy. Either way, since it’s so small, it excels at rolling over uneven terrain without high-centering itself.
Torque
Now for the bad news… the Dodge Caliber maxes out its torque with 141 pound-feet at 5,000 rpm. This is simply not enough low-end muscle to push over large obstacles or power through muddy terrain.
Solid low-end torque is key to off-roading success. Because vehicles may need to climb steep surfaces from a near standstill, lots of power is required at very low RPMs.
Tires
Your tires are the other end of the traction equation, transferring power from the wheels to the ground. They can only do so if they can grip the surface you’re driving on adequately.
A 2012 Dodge Caliber was available with 15, 17, or 18-inch wheels. While a used Caliber likely won’t have its original tires, its stock tires were P205/70R15.
For off-roading, you would optimally want a set of all-terrain tires. But note that this type of tread wears out faster and requires replacement sooner than more standard all-season tires.
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive or four-wheel drive are pretty much mandatory off road to reduce slip and aid in difficult handling scenarios. The Caliber was only offered with front-wheel drive, though.
Additionally, the 2.0-liter inline-four engine gets only 158 horsepower. Let this be a reminder that the Caliber is a compact hatchback—not a compact SUV.
However, if you only need to tackle mildly rough terrain—like dirt or gravel roads—you’ll be just fine.
The Dodge Caliber offers fantastic fuel efficiency for a 2012 vehicle, with the five-speed manual transmission version getting 24/32 mpg city/highway and the continuously variable transmission getting 23/27 mpg.
Off-road rating: In a Pinch
Now we have all we need to provide you with the Dodge Caliber’s off-road rating according to Jerry’s
proprietary DIRT classification system. | | |
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| | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
| | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
| | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
| | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers We’ve given the Dodge Caliber an I rating. It can tackle “soft-road” situations like gravel roads and can make it slowly over off-road obstacles if need be thanks to its ground clearance. It isn’t durable or powerful enough to drive on moderate or difficult off-road terrain, though.
The best off-road alternatives to the Dodge Caliber
Want something similar to the Dodge Caliber with a bit more off-road mettle? We hear you! Unfortunately, if you’re looking for more performance, you can expect to pay a bit more. Off-road-capable vehicles will also likely not get the same level of fuel economy as a compact sport wagon like the Caliber.
Here are some of the best options to get you started on your search:
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Best affordable alternative | | | A little older, a lot cheaper, and an absolute joy to drive off road. |
Best eco-friendly alternative | | | EPA city/highway rating of 39/36 mpg. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | | | If money’s no object, the R1T is the future of off-road trucks. |
MORE: How to get bugs off your car: A handy guide
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles (and sport wagons)
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