2010 Caliber test drive

[MrHorspwer]

Quote:
Nobody complains about those exact same engines in the Hyundais and Mitsubishis.


They don't? Your obvious domestic bias is... obvious. Here's an Edmunds review of the Lancer:
http://www.edmunds.com/mitsubishi/lancer/review.html

Quote:
On the downside, we've found the Lancer's base four-cylinder rather lacking in both power and refinement, and the CVT does nothing to help the situation -- in fact, we feel it saps power from the engine.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer
Quote:
Nobody complains about those exact same engines in the Hyundais and Mitsubishis.


They don't? Your obvious domestic bias is... obvious. Here's an Edmunds review of the Lancer:
http://www.edmunds.com/mitsubishi/lancer/review.html

Quote:
On the downside, we've found the Lancer's base four-cylinder rather lacking in both power and refinement, and the CVT does nothing to help the situation -- in fact, we feel it saps power from the engine.




Ok granted. I have never looked up the lancer because.... Well, I have never had so much as a passing interest in mitsubishi. Even if I would buy a non-domestic car, mitsu wouldn't even be on my radar. By the way, yes I am domestic biased, however I will admit that some nds are better than domestics, and are just as good in most cases. I just prefer to buy from a domestic maker. However, your theory has flaws. Namely, these.

Same 2.0L in the caliber, and others
http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/elantra/2010/review.html

Same 2.4L engine used in the caliber, avenger, sebring, journey etc.
http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/sonata/2010/review.html

 

[sciphi]

It's not the same engine, it's the same design. Every manufacturer was left to implement it differently. Hyundai's implementation is the most powerful, most fuel-efficient, and smoothest-running out of the 3 companies.

And, the 2010 Elantra still has the 2.0l Beta engine that's been around in various forms since 1995. It's not the Theta 4-cylinder, and has nothing in common with that engine.

Hopefully setting the record a bit straighter.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Comparing the Caliber to the Altima is downright stupid. They are different vehicles for differnet uses.

I was just comparing MPG to performance.

A Toyota RAV4 V6 will deliver better highway mileage than a Caliber 2.4 and have more cargo capacity. Plus it'll smoke it any day.

It's funny though that a Toyota Matrix with a 2.4 is also a gas pig, probably worse than the RAV4 too. Very similar vehicle in size, shape, and weight to the Caliber.
Both the Altima and RAV4 are nearly $10k more too so I don't think you'd aver get your money back in gas savings.

 

[Nick R]

Yup. And I definitely wouldn't be buying the caliber for it's power, but it's decent enough, with the 2.0L. The 2.4L has to be better, and the real problem is the CVT. It would be better with a traditional automatic.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Comparing the Caliber to the Altima is downright stupid. They are different vehicles for differnet uses.

I was just comparing MPG to performance.

A Toyota RAV4 V6 will deliver better highway mileage than a Caliber 2.4 and have more cargo capacity. Plus it'll smoke it any day.


That's coming from someone who still thinks cars are something to pick up chicks with. Pardon me while I chuckle at your juvenile comparison.

According to fueleconomy.gov the 2007 Rav 4 2WD gets 27 MPG. The Caliber also gets 27 (same year, spec'd like mine). I usually achieved between 30 and 32 MPG.

They appear almost identical in fuel mileage.

Again, comparing a Caliber to an Altima (or a Rav 4) is apples to oranges. They are not the same vehicle, not targeted at the same buyers, and not the same initial cost (mine was just over $17,000)

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Comparing the Caliber to the Altima is downright stupid. They are different vehicles for differnet uses.

I was just comparing MPG to performance.

A Toyota RAV4 V6 will deliver better highway mileage than a Caliber 2.4 and have more cargo capacity. Plus it'll smoke it any day.


That's coming from someone who still thinks cars are something to pick up chicks with. Pardon me while I chuckle at your juvenile comparison.

According to fueleconomy.gov the 2007 Rav 4 2WD gets 27 MPG. The Caliber also gets 27 (same year, spec'd like mine). I usually achieved between 30 and 32 MPG.

They appear almost identical in fuel mileage.

Again, comparing a Caliber to an Altima (or a Rav 4) is apples to oranges. They are not the same vehicle, not targeted at the same buyers, and not the same initial cost (mine was just over $17,000)


Correct, but the RAV4 delivers far superior performance.

It is not an apples to oranges comparison. Both are small "utility" vehicles that are targeted towards individuals who want to purchase a vehicle that is easy to park yet still delivers reasonable utility.

But remember, that was not the point of this discussion. I was trying to say that for the Caliber's level of fuel consumption, I can instead be driving a RAV4 V6 (not that I would ever own either of these cars) that will deliver far better performance.

 

[SteveSRT8]

There is a lot more than just fuel economy to consider when choosing.

I regard most SUV's as a scourge on the road, very few driving them have any need for one. They just want one.

Ain't America grand?

 

[refaller]

I have to agree it is silly to compare cars that are $10,000 dollars apart. When I sold cars, people didn't usually say I want to spend between $17- 27,000. Regardless, I think the Caliber should get better gas mileage than it does. My biggest gripe with my PT Cruiser was that around town my AWD CRV got 20% better mileage.

ref

 

[MarkC]

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 Patriot, may not say much about the Caliber, but performance is just about even, as is gas mileage. Of course the Jeep is considerably less expensive than the Toyota, and mine even less, since I got the 5-speed.
A road trip to California last Fall averaged 31 mpg, with one tank yielding 33.