Car Review.
The Dodge Avenger is very handsome in its own right. This front-wheel-drive midsize sedan looks quite nice, with an aggressive design that mimics the larger rear-wheel-drive Dodge Charger. There is also a powerful V6 available and a starting price that blows away most superstars in the midsize car class. Beyond that, however, the Avenger is nearly out of gas.
The Avenger's four-cylinder engine puts out a fair amount of power, but its efforts are hampered by an old-fashioned four-speed automatic transmission, which dulls both acceleration and fuel economy. Even with the SXT's six-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy is not exceptional. The interior is also a mixed bag. While generally pleasing in terms of ergonomics and comfort, it lacks some of the electronic conveniences in demand today (such as a rearview camera), and the rear seat is considerably less spacious than that of many competitors.
Performance and fuel economy
The Dodge Avenger SE and SXT come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission in the SE and a six-speed automatic transmission in the SXT. The six-speed transmission is optional for the SE.
A 3.6-liter V6 with an output of 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque is available as an option for the SXT and standard on the Dodge Avenger R/T. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with this engine (it is possible to find used SE models with the V6 engine, but for vehicles purchased new it is an option reserved for fleets and not available to regular consumers).
Safety.
The 2014 Dodge Avenger comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. In braking tests conducted by Edmunds, the Avenger with 18-inch wheels stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is average for this class of vehicle.
In government crash tests, the Avenger received an overall rating of four stars (out of a maximum of five), including four stars for front crash safety and four stars for side crash safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Avenger the top rating of "Good" in moderate overlap, side impact and roof strength tests. The head restraints and seats also received a "Good" rating for whiplash protection in rear crashes. The Avenger received the second best rating of "Acceptable" in the small overlap frontal impact test.
Driving.
On the road, the Dodge Avenger offers excellent performance when equipped with the 3.6-liter V6, an engine that also provides acceptable fuel economy. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is not impressive, but it is probably sufficient to meet the needs of most buyers if the six-speed automatic transmission is chosen.
Overall, the SE and SXT models are pleasant to drive, and the suspension offers a comfortable ride and decent handling. Those seeking a sportier driving experience can opt for the R/T model, which has a stiffer suspension, albeit with some loss of comfort. The steering, crisp and well-balanced, is a plus, although it is still not as precise as that of rivals such as the Mazda 6.
Interior.
The Avenger's interior design is rather unimpressive, but the overall quality of materials is respectable. Most of the controls are simple and easy to use, although the design and menu structure of the optional touchscreen are dated and unintuitive. In addition, trivial technologies such as the reversing camera and rear parking sensors are not available as options, which is a definite negative for a car with thick rear roof pillars that hinder visibility.
The front seats are comfortable, although the seat seems unusually elevated, a trick used by the designers to get a little more legroom. The rear seat is a bit cramped, a consequence of the Avenger's more compact overall dimensions. The trunk is also small, at only 13.4 cubic feet, even though the Avenger has a front passenger seat and 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks.
