Yes. The Dodge Caliber could be equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission on select trims and engine options, though most units sold in the U.S. were equipped with a 4-speed automatic. This article explains the transmission options and how they appeared across trims and years.
Transmission options and configurations
The Caliber offered two main transmission choices during its production run, with no CVT option. Here are the typical combinations you would see by engine:
- 2.0-liter I4 with 5-speed manual (available on some SE/SXT models)
- 2.0-liter I4 with 4-speed automatic (common on base models)
- 2.4-liter World engine with 5-speed manual (available on select trims such as certain SXT/SE configurations)
- 2.4-liter World engine with 4-speed automatic (the most common pairing across trims)
In practice, the manual transmission was a real option but never the default: many buyers encountered the stricter automatic transmission, and some years saw the manual being phased out or less frequently ordered.
Notable trims with manual transmission
Specific trims and years that typically offered the manual included certain SE and SXT configurations with the 2.0L or 2.4L engines. Availability varied by market and year, with automatics dominating the lineup in later years.
- SE with 2.0L engine and 5-speed manual
- SXT with 2.4L engine and 5-speed manual
- Lower trim packages in early production years offering manual transmissions
Overall, manual transmissions were offered across several trims, but they were never the majority configuration for the Caliber family, and later years saw reduced availability as automatics became standard practice for many buyers.
Why the Caliber moved away from manual options
Automatics were more popular with buyers and generally offered smoother operation and better fuel economy, especially in city driving. As a result, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and its successor brands scaled back manual offerings across compact and crossover models, including the Caliber. The market trend toward easier-to-drive automatics contributed to the Caliber’s eventual discontinuation in 2012.
Engineers also improved automatic transmissions over time, with 4-speed units giving way to 5-speed automatics on many Dodge models in the segment. The Caliber’s mixed transmission options reflect a transition period in the late 2000s when automatics gained dominance in small cars and hatchbacks.
Summary
The Dodge Caliber did offer a manual transmission, specifically a 5-speed manual, with certain combinations of engines (2.0L and 2.4L) and trims. However, the more common pickup was the 4-speed automatic, and manual availability varied by year and market. If you’re shopping used Calibers, you’ll want to verify the transmission on the specific vehicle as configurations differed during its production run.