This is a prime example of horsepower ratings not meaning squat. The Caliber R/T’s 172 ponies may look respectable on paper, but they fail to translate to any thrill behind the throttle. Maybe it’s curb weight, maybe it’s a lack of power, or maybe it’s a combination of those plus a miserable CVT transmission that robs the Caliber or any real spirit. Off-the-line response is lacking, and even highway passes require some forethought. The CVT can be manipulated manually to extract just a hint of liveliness from the powertrain, but it can only do so much. Best to wait for the boosted SRT version.