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Caliber: The diameter of a bullet or other projectile.

Dodge Caliber: A utilitarian, sleek box with a gas-saving four-cylinder engine. This is a crossover vehicle so hot that, according to AutoWeek magazine, dealers cannot keep it in stock.

Meet today’s test vehicle, the 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD.

It looks like a wagon, seats passengers high up (sort of like an SUV), sits atop the same platform as the new Jeep Compass, comes in front- or all-wheel drive, and handles very much like a car.

And while Ford and General Motors have said they are reducing their small-truck lines to develop crossovers, here comes Chrysler’s Dodge unit with a car for these down sizing, gas-price-rising times.

This model is meant to replace (thankfully) the Neon. And though it looks larger than that disappearing vehicle, it’s actually almost an inch-and-a-half shorter. But it rides about 4 inches higher than the Neon, allowing room not only for that higher viewing position for the driver and passengers, but also for some of the antiques, weekend project materials, or sporting gear that might have been carried in an old-style SUV. That high roofline also means the doors and rear gate are higher, allowing easier access.

Also, the rear seats fold nearly flat, providing a large cargo area. Even the front passenger seat folds flat for those traveling solo with a lot of gear.

The interior of the Caliber is especially impressive for an American car in the $14,000-to-$25,000 category.

The test model featured dual-textured, two-toned dash and door panel treatments, with deep scoops in the doors for elbow room. Storage bins were all over the place with a dual one in the standard glove box position. Atop is a deep, flat space for paperwork and maps. Below is a two-tiered affair, featuring on its top shelf four linked U-shaped chambers that can hold bottles or cans. It’s air-conditioned for cool running. Keep your sandwiches and other treats in the space below the chilled chamber.

The high-riding seats are firm and broad and the rear seat splits nearly 2-1, meaning that two can ride comfortably with long cargo (skis or snowboards, for example).

The center control console contains three big dials for climate adjustments, two actual knobs for volume and settings for the radio/audio system, and decent-size rectangular buttons for finer tuning.

The Caliber comes in three models — SE, SXT, and the as-tested RT, which is aimed at performance with its 172-horsepower engine. Its power comes from a 2.4-liter engine, while lesser models feature a 1.8-liter at 148 and a 2.0-liter at 158.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard while a continuously variable transmission is optional, though opting for all-wheel drive means you get the CVT. As in the Jeep Compass, I found this a delightful transmission. Transparent in full automatic mode with absolutely no sense of downshifts or upshifts since, in theory, CVTs don’t actually “shift” because its “gearing” is virtually infinite.

But the coolest part of this transmission is this: if you choose to switch into manual mode, you are in charge. It redlines before you upshift and holds to your bidding on downshifts.

The three models are solid modern haulers of people and gear — functional, quiet, and with engines that are remarkably smooth and non intrusive.

Standard safety equipment includes front multistage air bags, front and rear side-curtain bags and an antilock brake system. Other standard fare includes power windows, power mirrors, sport suspension, and an auxiliary 115-volt power outlet. Plug on in.

The test car’s base price of $19,425 jumped by almost $4,000 with the addition of a security system ($200), a leather package that added heated front seats, manual driver’s lumbar adjustment, and silver dash treatments ($950), a convenience package with tire pressure monitoring, temperature and compass readouts, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener ($400), upgraded sound system ($400), power sunroof ($750), and other goodies.

With low base prices and huge customer demand, watch to see if dealers bother to order mostly models that are loaded with extras to improve their profit margins.

This is such a fine vehicle without all the doodads that it would be nice to see some basic models on dealer lots so more people can hit the road in a most affordable fashion.

2007 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD

THE BASICS

Base price/as tested: $19,425/$23,885 Fuel economy: 23.1 miles per gallon in Globe testing Annual fuel cost: $1,705 (at $3.03 per gallon, regular, 13,000 miles per year)

THE EARLY LINE

A truly smooth operator, in every sense of ride and engineering

THE SPECIFICS

Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (also front-wheel drive) Seating: Five occupants Horsepower: 172 Torque: 165 lb.-ft. Overall length: 173.8 inches Wheelbase: 103.7 inches Height: 60.4 inches Width: 68.8 inches Curb weight: 3,308 pounds

THE SKINNY

Nice touch: Way-cool chilled box where the glove box usually sits. The top portion is chilled for drinks. The lower bin, while not cooled, is a perfect place to keep snacks fresh. Annoyance: The sliding center armrest feels like it will break at any moment. Watch for: Vehicles like this one cutting into the slice of the market occupied for years by SUVs.

Shop it against:

FORD FREESTYLE Inexplicably, this has not sold well. It’s the Ford 500 in wagon form, and comes in front- or all-wheel drive, with a 203-horsepower engine. Priced at $25,000 to $32,000. There may be bargains to be had here.

SATURN VUE Same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox, this features Saturn plastic body parts and choice of two engines — a 143-horsepower four-cylinder and a V-6 with 250 horsepower. Priced at $18,000 to $27,000.

NISSAN MURANO Snazzier looking, priced $28,000 to $32,000, and either rear- or all-wheel drive. Only engine is a 245-horsepower V-6. Car-based, and drives like one.

SUBARU FORESTER We forget sometimes who led us down this path. Subaru has been building wagon/SUV/car combos since before the term “crossover” was invented. The Forester comes with either a 173-horsepower flat-four engine, or a 230-horsepower, turbocharged flat-four. Priced from $23,000 to about $29,000.