Pros:
- Smooth and quiet ride
- Clean, well-built interior
- Great sounding media center with 40 GB hard drive
- Excellent value
Cons:
- 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine needs more pep
- Disappointing fuel efficiency
- Steering is a bit numb and the handling rather soft
- Exterior design needs updating
It’s been a long time since Dodge made a sedan good for more than rental fleet duty. From the K-cars of the 80’s to the more recent Intrepid and Stratus models, driving a Dodge sedan has rarely inspired much excitement.
With a name like the Avenger, you’d expect Dodge’s current mid-size sedan to offer at least some level of performance and style. Unfortunately, when it was released in 2008 the Avenger displayed the same mediocre performance, cheap interior, and generally underwhelming design as its predecessors, and the most likely place you’ll find an Avenger is at your local Enterprise or Budget.
Fortunately, 2011 has seen the rebirth of Chrysler and things are looking up. With new leadership from its Italian bosses, as well as an impressive array of redesigned and refreshed cars and trucks, the smallest of the Big Three looks to be leaving mediocrity behind. Although the exterior remains largely the same, the Avenger receives a significant makeover for 2011, including new powertrain options and a completely new interior.
Are these changes enough to warrant purchasing this mid-size Dodge, especially with so many good sedans on the market? For many the rental car stigma will be too much to overcome, but the more we drove the Avenger, the more we realized this is a car you could easily live with and perhaps even enjoy.
Driving Impressions
Befitting Dodge’s unpretentious, all-American image, our test car came equipped in Mainstreet trim, which sells for a bit over $21k. At this price point, a 4-cylinder engine is the norm, and the Avenger doesn’t deviate, offering a 2.4-liter engine that makes 173 hp. Handling shifting duties is a new 6-speed automatic transmission.
For ordinary driving, such as commuting or running errands, this combination works perfectly fine. Power is adequate and shifting is reasonably smooth and quick. The engine does strain when pushed hard and maneuvers such as passing or merging require a bit of planning, as even with the pedal to the floor acceleration isn’t particularly urgent. For those seeking more power, Chrysler’s 3.5L Pentastar V6 is now also available, although it’ll cost you almost 2 grand more.
You’d expect that this modest engine would pay some dividends when it comes to gas mileage, but unfortunately our time with the Avenger revealed less than spectacular real-world fuel efficiency. Although EPA rated at 20 city, 31 highway, we averaged between 23-24 mpg during mixed driving, which isn’t much better than what you’d expect from a V6. The engine is working quite hard during even normal acceleration, and better results would require going almost dangerously slow.
Out on the road the Avenger displays a very easy-going, relaxed presence. Steering is nice and light, but doesn’t offer much feedback and feels overly boosted. The suspension errs on the soft side, providing a nice and supple ride, but doesn’t fold over completely when thrown into a turn. The 17-inch Michelins at each corner provide a respectable amount of grip, but try to drive a twisty road fast and you’ll quickly realize that despite its name, the Avenger is no sports sedan.
Interior/Exterior
It’s on the inside where the Avenger offers the biggest surprise. Gone are the shiny plastics and cheap looking dials and gauges of the previous car, and in their place is an abundance of soft touch materials and a clean, understated design. Some of the switchgear, such as the turn signal lever and the shift lever, still look and feel a bit low rent, but on the whole the interior is competitive with anything at this price.
The Avenger offers excellent headroom and a decently sized trunk, but rear legroom could be more generous, making the backseat a bit cramped for larger adults. The cloth seats are reasonably comfortable, but don’t provide a ton of support. Some classy touches include chrome door handles, contrast stitching on the armrests and center console, and a premium cloth headliner. The interior in our test car was decked out in all black, adding to the understated look, and everything seemed well put together. Noise levels when cruising on the highway are impressively low and there were no discernible squeaks or rattles.
Amenities on our Mainstreet edition are few, but some nice features are included, such as remote start, automatic climate control, and heated seats. Our test car also featured an optional media center that offers a 40 GB hard drive for storing your favorite tunes. Sound quality from the 6 speaker stereo is surprisingly good, with clean highs and punchy lows. Unfortunately, Bluetooth® connectivity isn’t available on this trim level.
Unlike its platform mate, the Chrysler 200, the Avenger did not receive a full exterior makeover this year. While not an ugly car, the exterior is unremarkable and looks a bit dated. The sides feature some styling cues from the more muscular Charger, and the front end gives the car a modestly aggressive face, but the rear is very generic and the overall shape is too reminiscent of the boxy sedans of the past.
Verdict
Given our relatively low expectations, the Dodge Avenger actually managed to impress in several areas. The interior is greatly improved and the overall driving experience is pleasantly uneventful. Since most sedan buyers are looking for a car to commute and run errands in, these characteristics would make the Avenger a perfectly fine choice. Add in the low sticker price and you have a value-packed option for someone looking for just basic transportation.
The only problem is that more and more car buyers are looking for more than just basic transportation, and with so many good options in the mid-size arena, we can’t help but wonder who would buy the Avenger over such compelling sedans as the Sonata, Optima, Fusion, and Accord. Each of these cars provides more performance and style, for not too much more coin.
| BUILD | INTERIOR | PERFORMANCE | HANDLING | STYLING | VALUE | OVERALL | |
| RATING | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.9/B- |
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