The Dodge Caliber does 26.5 mpg combined (23.8 city, 30.2 highway), which works out to about $1,449 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 26.7 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 26.3 — a difference of $22 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Dodge Caliber engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Dodge Caliber ranges from 26.7 down to 26.3 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $22 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 23.7 / 31 | 2010–2012 | $1,438 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 24 / 29.3 | 2007–2009 | $1,460 |
What that actually costs
The Dodge Caliber burns a gallon every 26.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 453 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.121 |
| Fuel per year | $1,449 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,245 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$45 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,350 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Dodge Caliber gives up 6.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30.2 out there against 23.8 in town, a 27% drop worth $341 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.8 mpg | $1,613 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.2 mpg | $1,272 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.4 mpg (27%) | Typical for its type |
How the Caliber changed over the years
The Caliber peaked in 2012 at 27 mpg (24 city, 31 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2010 at 26 — 1 mpg apart, or $55 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2012 car does 27. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2011 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2010 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2009 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2008 | 24 / 29 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2007 | 24 / 29 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Dodge Caliber — 2 engines across 2007–2012. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,350. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Dodge Caliber get?
26.5 mpg combined on average — 23.8 in the city and 30.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2012.
How much does a Dodge Caliber cost in fuel per year?
About $1,449 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,245 over five years, or 0.121 dollars a mile.
Which Caliber engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 26.7 mpg, against 26.3 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $22 a year.
Is the Caliber good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Caliber figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Dodge Caliber is $2,350 against the $1,449 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 27 and 26 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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