Dodge
Caliber
Toyota
Yaris
Dodge Caliber vs Toyota Yaris: 2024 Comparison
The short answer
The Dodge Caliber offers fuel economy, while the Toyota Yaris excels at power instead. Choose the Dodge Caliber if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Toyota Yaris if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Caliber
Overall
Overwhelmingly negative sentiment based on long-term owner reports. The vehicle is widely characterized as unreliable, poorly built, and a poor value proposition, even at very low purchase prices. Positive feedback is extremely rare and isolated, typically from owners who report no issues with diligent, frequent maintenance.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available. No specific trim or model year is recommended.
Known issues
- ⚠CVT transmission failure: Complete loss of power, failure to engage gears, overheating, whining noise at highway speeds, throwing P0700 diagnostic codes. Described as a very common point of catastrophic failure. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Major electrical system failures: Erratic dashboard behavior (lights illuminating, gauges spinning), vehicle entering limp mode, repeated failure of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), numerous communication error codes (U0100, U0141, etc…
- ⚠General mechanical unreliability: Serpentine belt failures, premature failure of water pumps, alternators, and other accessory components. Engine noises suggesting internal valvetrain problems. Frequency: very frequent.
Yaris
Overall
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding reliability, low running costs, and practicality. The Yaris is consistently praised as a "bulletproof," economical, and easy-to-maintain vehicle, particularly in its older iterations (circa 2009-2014). Long-term owner reports highlight minimal repair costs outside of standard maintenance, with many examples reaching high mileages (over 200,000 km / 124,000 miles) without major issues.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to specify a single best trim or version. Feedback is generalized across the model line, with manual transmissions often implicitly favored over automated manuals (MMT) due to simplicity, and the 1.33L engine noted as a good balance of power and economy.
Known issues
- ⚠Intermittent starting/cranking issues (non-specific): Engine cranks but does not start, potentially related to fuel delivery, spark, or immobilizer/key. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Clutch wear/failure: Particularly in higher-mileage manual examples; includes vague biting point and complete failure. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Oil consumption: Linked to neglected oil changes in the 1.33L engine; can be remedied with maintenance. Frequency: isolated.
The verdict
The Toyota Yaris is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the Dodge Caliber, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Toyota Yaris are a dealbreaker, the Dodge Caliber is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Dodge Caliber or the Toyota Yaris?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Toyota Yaris than the Dodge Caliber. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Dodge Caliber or the Toyota Yaris?
Data on family-specific factors like cargo space is limited for one or both models, but based on available reports, both are positioned as practical daily drivers. Check the specs table above for seating and body type.
Which has better fuel economy, the Dodge Caliber or the Toyota Yaris?
The Dodge Caliber is more fuel-efficient on paper: 8.9 L/100km combined versus 9.3 L/100km for the Toyota Yaris, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Caliber or the Toyota Yaris?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Toyota Yaris than the Dodge Caliber. See the known issues comparison above.