Sometimes, the best way to go out and dominate a certain vehicular niche is to redefine it on your own terms. The Dodge Caliber has been doing just that for years – providing compact car shoppers with an intriguing option that breaks all the rules of what buyers can expect from an entry-level domestic vehicle.

With an MSRP starting at only $17,090, it is clear that the Caliber provides excellent value for those interested in purchasing a brand-new car. With just one look at the vehicle’s bold exterior styling, it also becomes obvious that this small crossover is meant to appeal to a more adventurous driver. With prominently arched fenders, a lifted stance and broad, crosshair grille, the Caliber is the type of vehicle that can’t be ignored. In a sea of similar faces, the Caliber is impossible to confuse with any value-oriented, compact car clone.

The characteristics that make the Dodge Caliber so different are also what help it to appeal to so many people. The vehicle’s upright, hatchback design incorporates a strong undercurrent of utility, especially when it comes to interior space. Five passengers can comfortably inhabit the Caliber’s cabin, and an 18.5 cubic foot “trunk” occupies the space between the rear row of seats and the inside of the liftgate. Fold that row forward – and the front passenger’s seat along with it – and an eye-popping 48 cubic feet of space are suddenly available to accommodate anything from coolers to two-by-fours to trips to Ikea. Throw in an easily removable and washable liner, and the Caliber can be used for messier transportation tasks that other vehicles just can’t be entrusted with.

The Caliber comes through with some other desirable interior features as well. Available Stain Repel cloth seats help take some of the anxiety out of the kids eating in the car while those who desire can instead opt for vinyl or leather covers. Heated seats are also an option. Caliber’s standard or available equipment, depending on trim level, includes such features as air conditioning, a full range of power accessories and even a sunroof and hands-free phone system. The air conditioning option also comes with a handy chilled glovebox that can be used to preserve the freshness of road-trip snacks like chocolate and beverages.

The Dodge Caliber offers buyers four different four-cylinder engines from which to choose. The most efficient of the group is the 1.8-liter, which uses 16 variably timed valves to power out 148 hp and 125 lb/ft of torque on its way to a very wallet-friendly 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway as estimated by the EPA. A five-speed manual transmission is the standard gearbox. A slightly larger 2.0-liter unit bumps power up by 10 ponies with a more substantial increase in torque to 141 lb/ft, giving it a gutsy throttle response through its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The third and most powerful naturally aspirated powerplant found in the Caliber R/T model is a 172-hp 2.4-liter with 165 lb/ft of torque. Unlike the previous two options, this motor’s extra grunt can be run through either the CVT or five-speed manual at the choice of the buyer, and fuel economy is almost identical to that of the 1.8 liter.

Standing at the top of the Caliber performance pyramid is the SRT4 model’s turbocharged, 2.4-liter mill that features an incredible 285 hp and 265 lb/ft of torque. Shuttled through a six-speed manual transmission to the vehicle’s front wheels, all of that explosive acceleration puts the Caliber’s electronic stability control system to the test, in addition to causing the hair to stand up on the back of a driver’s neck. Of course, even with that much power on tap, those riding in the Caliber have solid safety systems in place. The hatchback features multi-stage front and rear airbags along with side-curtain airbags and the option of side-seat units.

The Dodge Caliber is an automobile that almost defies classification. It is a competent commuter, a frugal fuel sipper, an exciting and powerful thrill ride and a cavernous cargo carrier, all depending upon how it is configured by the individual buyer. This impressive versatility has opened up a number of garage doors for the Caliber all across the country.