Dodge is finally here. After months of build-up, the American brand has held its European launch event for the Caliber, the car it claims will put a new slant on the Ford Focus-dominated lower-medium segment.

Arriving in the UK on July 2, the Caliber is gunning for the younger group of company car buyers, people who need a more practical vehicle, but don't like the idea of having one.

The Caliber will be launched with a choice of 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, the latter offered only with a CVT auto gearbox, and a 2.0-litre diesel sourced from Volkswagen. The diesel will be the big seller, taking 50% of volume, while the 2.0-litre auto will account for 35% and the 1.8 the remaining 15%.

The styling is certainly interesting, a good interpretation of the bullish American styling cues on a smaller, European vehicle. It's certainly a significantly more interesting look than the likes of the Golf Plus.

The pricing is also good. Dodge is pitching the car significantly below its major rivals, either hatchbacks or mini-MPVs, though aircon isn't standard on the entry-level S trim.

But it all starts to go a little pear-shaped when you climb behind the wheel. Though the centre console and dash are fine, the rest of the interior is covered by nasty, cheap, hard plastics, especially around the doors. It's a real shame that some extra money couldn't have been spent, because it really lowers the tone of the car, and makes you feel like you've taken a budget option, more like the cars Korean manufacturers have traditionally built.

The Caliber does have some nice touches though. All models are fitted with a removable, rechargeable torch and, as you move up the range, there are features like a chilled glovebox, reclining rear seats and a front armrest with phone or iPod holder.

The boot goes back a decent distance, but is level with the sill, which makes it feel small, especially as the sill's quite high anyway. It's also vinyl-covered rather that carpeted, Dodge claims that's in response to customer feedback, though it again looks a little cheap, and means whatever you've put in the boot rattles around. The rear seats fold easily, leaving a flat loadbay right up to the front seats.

On the road, the diesel engine is noisier than it is in VW applications, presumably due to less sound deadening. The steering, and handling are no more than adequate, though buyers of this type of car are hardly likely to spend much time testing the on-the-limit handling.

Dodge is hoping to sell 6000 in a full year, initially retail-biased, but increasingly edging fleet buyers into the brand as they come to the end of their three-year cycles. The Caliber isn't a bad car, although far from class-leading, but will still attract people that want something a bit different.

Paul Barker

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