16 replies to this topic

[jsb399]

I finally got around to tracking the gas mileage on my 2009 Caliber SXT 2.0L/CVT
The result : 29.5 mpg

Much better than the 24 mpg the car is officially rated at.

[ImperialCrown]

The EPA fuel economy ratings have been adjusted lower (because of consumer complaints?). If you can't at least meet the sticker numbers, there is a problem.
My mom's and sister's Calibers have improved fuel mileage a lot since break-in. About where their Neons were.

[jsb399]

ImperialCrown, on July 25, 2010 at 07:28 am, said:

The EPA fuel economy ratings have been adjusted lower (because of consumer complaints?). If you can't at least meet the sticker numbers, there is a problem.
My mom's and sister's Calibers have improved fuel mileage a lot since break-in. About where their Neons were.

I noticed this about the Caliber too.
The engine is much better after about the first 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
At the beginning, the car was dog slow and really had trouble pulling away from a stop. But now the car has some jump and the 2.0L engine is just fine for the car. I think this does hurt sales though because I could see if someone test drove a Caliber for the first time, they would not buy because the car is underpowered.

Edited by jsb399, July 25, 2010 at 12:13 pm.

[chuzz]

I now have 53,000 plus miles on mine. The mileage has consistently been 30 mpg. On the occasion that I have not done any interstate driving, I've gotten as much as 34.6 mpg. That's been driving at 55-60 mph. The longer I own the car, the more I love it. I'd buy another one if I had the money and give it to my son.

[rkmdogs]

In my opinion, the reports on gas mileage for the Caliber leave a lot unsaid!
Our first long trip we averaged 28.34 overall --- and we drive fast.
We just returned from a 1751 mile trip. On the drive going, we we only doing 70-75mph, and averaged 32.31mpg.
On the return however, we put our foot into it, sometimes cruising at 90mph! Then the mileage dropped to 24.38mpg.......

We have an '08 SXT with the 2.0L engine, and now have over 46,000 miles on it, with the only problem being a radio display that
does not change in intensity from daylight to when the lights are on. Anybody else have that problem? During the daytime, sunlight can
wash out the display. The dealer fix is to order us a new radio, but since we are out of warranty, it's on us! $$$$$$ - over $350.00!

http://i12.photobuck...ugShield-09.jpg
Trying to open pic attached, but this system doesn't do it!

Edited by rkmdogs, July 31, 2010 at 12:29 pm.

[ImperialCrown]

If you have the REN radio (it has the white lettering on the faceplate for the radio sales code), you can enable dimming yourself. Instructions sent.

[RHancheck]

Depending on how i drive i've gotten to 27 in my CSRT I susally  come out around 24 though  dern that  gas pedal and my foot  

[Many Mopars - No Talent]

Yesterday I drove my '09 SRT-4 on the highway at 65 MPH using the speed control for a distance of about 50 miles.  Per the EVIC display, the car averaged 34.7 MPG.  No complaints from this boy!

[pianomany2k]

I've wondered about the mileage on the Caliber. If I do a steady 55 MPH on a LONG trip, I can get about 40 mpg out of my Neon. The average here for the Caliber seems to be mid-30s, which I would be okay with. Thinking about getting one.

[chuzz]

If I had the money, I'd get another one in a heartbeat. But I don't have any money.

[UN4GTBL]

rkmdogs, on July 31, 2010 at 12:22 pm, said:

In my opinion, the reports on gas mileage for the Caliber leave a lot unsaid!
Our first long trip we averaged 28.34 overall --- and we drive fast.
We just returned from a 1751 mile trip. On the drive going, we we only doing 70-75mph, and averaged 32.31mpg.
On the return however, we put our foot into it, sometimes cruising at 90mph! Then the mileage dropped to 24.38mpg.......

We have an '08 SXT with the 2.0L engine, and now have over 46,000 miles on it, with the only problem being a radio display that
does not change in intensity from daylight to when the lights are on. Anybody else have that problem? During the daytime, sunlight can
wash out the display. The dealer fix is to order us a new radio, but since we are out of warranty, it's on us! $$$$$$ - over $350.00!

http://i12.photobuck...ugShield-09.jpg
Trying to open pic attached, but this system doesn't do it!

pick up one off ebay...much, much cheaper.

[chuzz]

You might even find one for sale on the caliberforumz.com.  A lot of members there have replaced their OEM radios for some reason. I never really had any problems out of mine.

[Al E. Gator]

We drove a 2010 Caliber RT with the CVT on a vacation trip of about 2,000 miles round trip. It was 95% interstate with the traffic flow usually at 75 mph. We made the same trip in December 2010 and again in December 2011.
December 2010 trip had four adults with the necessary baggage and resulted in 24.8 mpg. 2011 trip with two adults and necessary baggage resulted in 25.9 mpg.  I am not too unhappy but made the same trip in a 2004 Neon with four people and got 29.8 mpg.
By the way I hate those &&&&& CVT transmissions. My guess is that a five speed would get close to 30 mpg in the Caliber RT package.

[Stratuscaster]

No need to guess.

Caliber with the 2.4/CVT is rated at 22/27(24) - which puts your numbers right in line.
Caliber with the 2.4/stick is rated at 23/29(25) - really not all that much better overall.

Caliber with the 2.0/CVT is rated at 23/27(24) - really no different than the 2.4L model.
Caliber with the 2.0/stick is rated at 24/32(27) - pretty close to 2G Neon numbers.

'04 Neon with the 2.0/auto is rated at 22/29(25).
'04 Neon with the 2.0/stick is rated at 25/32(28).

Just for grins:
'98 Neon with the 2.0/3auto is rated at 21/30(24).
'98 Neon with the 2.0/stick is rated at 25/37(29).
'98 Breeze with the 2.0/4auto is rated at 20/30(23).
'98 Breeze with the 2.0/stick is rated at 23/33(27).

[digitalrailroader]

Stratuscaster, on January 3, 2012 at 11:29 pm, said:

No need to guess.

Caliber with the 2.4/CVT is rated at 22/27(24) - which puts your numbers right in line.
Caliber with the 2.4/stick is rated at 23/29(25) - really not all that much better overall.

Caliber with the 2.0/CVT is rated at 23/27(24) - really no different than the 2.4L model.
Caliber with the 2.0/stick is rated at 24/32(27) - pretty close to 2G Neon numbers.

'04 Neon with the 2.0/auto is rated at 22/29(25).
'04 Neon with the 2.0/stick is rated at 25/32(28).

Just for grins:
'98 Neon with the 2.0/3auto is rated at 21/30(24).
'98 Neon with the 2.0/stick is rated at 25/37(29).
'98 Breeze with the 2.0/4auto is rated at 20/30(23).
'98 Breeze with the 2.0/stick is rated at 23/33(27).

I can actually confirm that: I was getting 26-27 MPG Highway before my engine let go.

[ImperialCrown]

I was comparing regstration weights between the '96 Neon and the '07 Caliber. A 600 pound difference!
Neon: 2445 lb.
Caliber: 3062 lb.
Both are 2.0L.
The Caliber has the side and knee airbags and would be much safer in a crash, but lacks the handling and acceleration of the Neon.

[chuzz]

I can testify as to the safety of the airbags in the Caliber. I miss mine and would gladly take another one if the price is right.