Been getting reports from several Dodge dealers that the Calibers they have sold are getting lousy mileage, under 20 mpg. I realize that probably some of these cars are demonstrators, and that car salesmen aren't exactly known for great driving habits, but I'm wondering what kind of mileage people are getting in real-world, everyday driving?

 

I've been curious about that as well, though I was hoping to hear it would be opposite what you heard and that it was much better than rated because the EPR ratings are pretty poor, especialy for the R/T, only 26MPG cit for a small 4 with a CVT which is suposed to be better fuel economy than a normal auto, I mean i've gotten 26MPG on a long 200+ mile trip with my Magnum with the 5.7 hemi.

 

Well I think the R/T gets good gas milage considering what its specs. Remember thats its an AWD vehicle, weighing over 3100 pounds. So a tiny 4 cyl motor powers 4 wheels on a vehicle that weighs over 3000 pounds. Add that to the fact that the Caliber sits up higher than a Magnum, or even the Neon so its less aerodynamic. I don't think an auto would give it any better MPG. RPMs are right about the same with the CVT going down the road as it would be if it had an auto in it. Maybe Dodge should consider an option of the new 4 Liter 6 Cyl in the Caliber in future R/T AWD models.

Now saying this, I didn't get the R/T just because it does only get 26 MPG, instead I opted for the SXT Sport with the 2.0 Liter which should get around 30 MPG.

 

25 mpg or better, I can live with, most of the competition does no better, or requires premium fuel to do so. My PT Cruiser GT will get 25-26 in normal driving (as long as I stay out of the boost, lol), although there is a mileage penalty above 70 mph, but that's true with almost any vehicle, so no gripes there. My first PT Cruiser, (150 hp, 5-speed) didn't do much better than the GT will, and it pulled a 3200 lb vehicle around fairly well, had no complaints about power or mileage. If the R/T will do sticker ratings or close to it, I'd be happy----just concerned about a number of sub-20 mpg reports I've heard, one was an R/T, the rest were 2.0's with the CVT.

 

I've averaged 24.77 on my SXT 2.0 CVT with 1847 miles logged. It's has been getting better over time (about 26 mpg the last 400 miles).

 

Our R/T in its non broken in state is getting wonderful gas mileage (around 25 or so). I would think it would get a little better as the motor loosens up.

 

Caliber sxt sport 2.0L here... and yea my first 3 tanks of gas got me horrid gas mileage, but since then she's warmed up nicely.. I now average about 26-28mpg in the city and 30-34mpg on the highway. I also drive with a very heavy foot and those are the numbers I'm getting, engine has 4500km's on it.

 

I've only had mine for a week. Driven about 200 miles and the dash display is showing 22.5mpg mixed city/highway. Every car I've ever owned has improved until around 10K-15K miles before mpg stays consitant.

 

A coworkers friend showed up at work with a magnum and we started talking....I told him that I just bought a caliber and was just waiting on it to get here.... he said he test drove one for a whole weekend and loved it expecially the gas milage ..... he wasnt precise just said that he filled it up and drove EVERYWHERE with it and said it was great on gas. I dont know how much help that is he said it only cost him a little over $30 to fill it up also.....

 

you can see it in my signature

its in liter / 100km


and i'm driving fast