I never liked the look of Range Rovers and that sort of crowd, bit too pointlessly macho, but I also didn't want to be in another Mondeo etc etc etc, so I liked the idea of the Dodge Caliber since it seemed to do a bit of both - bit off roady, bit saloony. It's ok but it doesn't really pack as much punch as you'd want from any off roader, and it's too bulky and beefy to fit in around other family cars so I sometimes get the occasional look like I'm a bit of a tool.
It's ok though, the running costs are good, we average about 50mpg on motorways and the insurance isn't massive, I think it's mid range.
There are some neat little touches inside, like the cup holders which light up to show you where your drink is, and the interior light that you can pop out to use as a torch.
It's got plenty of space inside for sure. The mini fridge thing above the cool box is, well, cool! The boot is really big on account of its tallness, and the seats fold down totally flat as well which gives lots more room. I shoe horned two bikes in there easily enough, along with a load of other day trip stuff. The boot opens at the roof so access is really easy. The only trouble about that tall boot is that it makes rear visibility pretty poor really, which makes the parking sensors all the more welcome - although I don't really like those myself, feels like my car is nagging me! Also the rear passengers are seated quite high up, which can make it hard to see round them.
Driving wise it's... ok. I liked it to begin with mostly because I was coming from a bigger, lumbering people carrier but I'm less impressed with the Caliber these days. It's pretty loud for a modern car and just isn't that lively to drive, just sort of dull at times. It doesn't match what it looks like. Also the driving position isn't that great, I'm always struggling to find a position where my clutch leg isn't being bashed about.
I've had a few repairs need doing but really nothing major in five years, which is something to recommend it. There was some electrical bother a couple of years back which was sorted under warranty, otherwise plain sailing so far.