The Caliber was manufactured at the Belvidere Assembly (Illinois) plant, and across its six-year model run, just over 400,000 were produced.

The Caliber was one of Dodge's first modern offerings in Europe and Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, as it established new distribution channels there.

The car features an optional electronically controlled all-wheel drive system with variable torque at speeds of 25 to 65 mph (40 to 105 km/h) for optimal handling.

The base SE model features front-wheel drive and a 1.8 L 148 hp (110 kW) World I4 with a Magna Drivetrain T355 five-speed manual transmission.

The standard configuration for the SE did not include air conditioning, power windows, door locks, or mirrors.

Air conditioning is standard equipment at this level, including the Chill Zone beverage cooler inside the front lower glove compartment.

The E package consisted of 17 in (43 cm) aluminum wheels, color-keyed cloth seat inserts, color-matched instrument panel trim, and fog lamps.

The SRT4, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2006, replaced for the original Neon-based SRT-4 produced by Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology group.

Edmunds called the manufacturer's rating conservative; putting more power on the road than cars costing twice as much.

Package options included polished aluminum wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, SIRIUS satellite radio with Kicker SRT livin' loud audio, EVIC with performance pages, security alarm, and optional paint colors.

The 2010 model year was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, featuring a refreshed interior design composed of metallic outlines and parts of glass to suppress the abundance of plastic materials on previous models, as well as the addition of an 8-way power driver's seat, heated mirrors, and an automatic climate control system previously available only on R/T.

The dashboard also features the relocation of the glove box due to many customer complaints, which now occupies the spot over the radio panel and comprises a "push-open" lock instead of the previous "squeeze-and-lift" opening mechanism.

European market models receive a new 2.2 L diesel engine with 163 hp (122 kW) and 236-pound-force-foot (320 N⋅m) of torque that provides a combined city and highway fuel efficiency of 40.6 miles per US gallon (5.79 L/100 km; 48.8 mpg‑imp).

[7] For the United States market, the models were promptly renamed and rebranded, with SE becoming "Main Street", SXT — "Heat" and R/T — "Rush".

[8] The Caliber and the Nitro were the only two cars in the Dodge vehicle lineup to still feature the Ram logo on both fascia, rear, and the steering wheel.

The Plus version includes all the SXT items and 18-inch aluminum wheels with performance tires, as well as a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Caliber an overall Good score in frontal crash testing.

[14] A successor called the Dart,[15] based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta's platform, went on sale in June 2012 for the 2013 model-year as the compact vehicle in Dodge's lineup.