While I don't know about the Caliber, I do have a 2009 Patriot with the 2.4, and it's as good a 4 cylinder engine as any of the others in this small crossover class.
Of course, I'd like more low end torque, but it's not a 4.0, is it?
Comparing apples to apples, 4 cylinder RAV4 to 4 cylinder...