I'm not sure, but I did notice one on the road yesterday and from the rear bumper downward, exhaust, control arms, etc. look the same as my car at the rear.

 

I saw a Caliber at my doctor's office and it looked pretty cool. I prefer the more square lines of the Patriot since I do load up the car with stuff from time to time and I think there are more choices for the nature lover. They are sisters under the skin, though.

 

The engines are different. The standard engine is a 1.8 litre 148 hp. A 2.0 litre 158 hp is optional. The R/T has a 2.4 litre, 172hp, probably the same as the Patriot. The Caliber has rear drum brakes and I don't believe it has Electronic Stability Control. There are probably other differences but those are a few I noticed after a quick look at their website.

 

The Caliber R/T has Rear Discs.
Electronic Stability Control is Optional on the Caliber.

The Caliber is the best selling of the Caliber / Compass / Patriot triplets.

 

Electronic control

Everything is the same. The difference is the electronic control package that regulates engine, and transmission. I think there are heavier, longer struts and maybe the odd piece here and there that might be different.

Welcome to the world of drive-by-wire. All you need to do it change the programming of the control module and you get completely different behavior from the same hardware.

That should explain a lot to those people asking about what's different with the auto-stick as well. The control module is programmed with preset gear ratios or "gears". Instead of allowing the control package to match ratios with load and rpm to optimize performance/mpg you can select the preset and the CVT will vary the sheeves and "lock" the CVT to that ratio. (I'm sure there are also failsafes to counteract driver error as well) It at least gives you the feeling that you are shifting or makes it feel more like a conventional trans.

I personally don't see the value in it since the throttle is governed by the same control package and linked to the transmission. Stepping on the throttle doesn't even do anything physical. It's just data input to the control module.

 

The Caliber has those cool lite Cup holders and the refrigerated glove box lol

 

I'll bet nearly.normal.jimmy will find a way for the Patriot to have them also if someone will make him aware of this inequity. nowherenear.normal.earl

 

This is from Wikipedia, I don't know if this will help with your questions. At the end it explains the basic definition of a shared platform.


is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. Many vendors refer to this as a vehicle architecture. Originally, a platform was a literally shared chassis from a previously-engineered vehicle, as in the case for the Volkswagen Beetle frame under the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. The first generic platform to be shared among a number of vehicles was the Ford Fox platform of the 1970s. In the 1980s, Chrysler's K-cars all wore a badge with the letter, "K", to indicate their shared platform.

Today, platform sharing is much less noticeable. Vehicle architectures consist of "under the skin" components only, and shared platforms can show up in unusual places like the Nissan FM platform-mates Nissan 350Z sports car and Infiniti FX SUV. Volkswagen A platform-mates like the Audi TT and Volkswagen Golf also share much of their mechanical components but seem entirely different. Ford Motor Company has had much success building many well differentiated vehicles from many marques off the same platforms.

Key mechanical components that define an automobile platform include:

* Chassis, along with passive car safety features and key body dimensions
* Steering mechanism and type of power steering
* Type of front/rear suspensions
* Choice and placement of engine and other powertrain components

 

Right. This has been a great forum, very friendly and informative with very few bricks being thrown. Can we PLEASE work to keep it that way?

 

I have a Dodge caliber and also i have a jeep patriot the 1.8 engine these two cars engine and mechanically are the same and they are both manual. I drive patriot my wife drives caliber.

 

I have a Dodge caliber and also i have a jeep patriot the 1.8 engine these two cars engine and mechanically are the same and they are both manual. I drive patriot my wife drives caliber.
I have a manual jeep patriot. Need a transmission. Can I use one from dodge caliber?