2010 Dodge Caliber Mainstreet

The Caliber is Dodge's compact hatchback, sized to compete with the Corolla and Focus but with a more upright, crossover-like stance. The interior has some cheap-feeling plastics, but the seats fold nearly flat for hauling and there's a built-in cooler in the glovebox. Some owners report alternator issues and fading exterior trim, but many also say the car has gone years with nothing major breaking. The Mainstreet adds cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and upgraded cloth upholstery over the base SE, making it the value pick in the lineup. Its 2.0L I4 makes 158 horsepower and is paired with a automatic transmission driving the front wheels, which is enough for daily commuting but not for quick passing on the highway. The Mainstreet can be had with a continuously variable transmission instead of the automatic, which improves fuel economy to 25 mpg combined but makes the engine drone under hard acceleration.