Its non-press-fleet siblings are common sights on rental car lots at most major airports in North America. The Dodge Avenger SXT is the mainstream version of the car that, for all intents and purposes, looks as though it is a growth-stunted version of the Dodge Charger , even if it doesn’t quite move like one.
What is it?
In our case, the Avenger SXT is a flex fuel-capable five-passenger sedan powered by Chrysler ’s 2.7-liter V6 engine. Classified by the EPA as a midsized car, it is situated in a field that contains many of the finest vehicles made today.
It’s a kissing cousin to the Chrysler Sebring, a sedan that didn’t exactly enthrall us last year – but the Avenger’s more sporting pretensions might help a little.
What’s it up against?
The Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda Mazda6, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry are the mainstream class leaders that the Avenger comes face to face with on the playing field.
The big question is, how well does it match up?
Any breakthroughs?
Flex-Fuel? Been there, done that. Homelink? Ditto. Electronic Stability Control? Yawn. Where the Avenger SXT shines is in the packaging of all these features into preferred option groups that help to bring down the overall price. On paper, there’s a lot of car for the cash here – especially when you consider the discounts that are commonly applied to these.
On the negative side, although our SXT version was offered with ABS as standard equipment, it is rather disconcerting to see it as an “available option†on the lesser trim-level models.
How does it look?
As we mentioned previously, the Avenger looks like a Dodge Charger that consumed too much coffee and too many cigarettes when it was just a lowly Hot Wheels car. The cross hair grille is there. The slant back roofline also makes the scene. And the big, polished chrome 18-inch alloys offer just the right amount of bling. But it seems a little misshapen overall.
Standard on the SXT model is a rear spoiler, which adds to the Avenger’s sporty look credentials. Broad crease lines down the rear fenders impart a muscular look to a car that really doesn’t have the look, otherwise. It’s not offensive looking. It’s just that so much more good might have been done to help it rise above the level of rental fleet royalty.
Fog lamps help to dress up the lower portion of the front fascia, while a splitter-type leading edge helps to channel air into the engine as well as under the car. Drop the car a couple of inches (which in turn will help the optional 18-inchers fill up the wheel wells) for an overall better appearance.
And on the inside?
This isn’t going to be pretty.
The Dodge Avenger ’s interior is awash in plastics that seem more at home on a model car than in the interior of one of the Detroit Three’s finest. A hard plastic dash covers the gauge binnacle and stretches across the door panels, covering the area where you would normally rest your arm when the window was open. Padded in many of the Avenger’s rivals, the hard panel is possibly Chrysler’s way of telling you, for your own safety, to keep the windows closed.
We liked the nicely bolstered front driver and passenger seats, with their non-skid cloth facings to keep butts firmly in place. The back passenger seats were comfortable for around town jaunts of up to a couple of hours.
We have had occasion to rent the Avenger from rental car companies, and feel our SXT version was much quieter than the rental fleet vehicle we drove for a week recently. Dodge attributes this to increased insulation throughout the car.
On the plus side, we really do like the uConnect operations found on the Sirius-equipped in-car navigation/entertainment system. Easily connected with most Bluetooth-equipped cell phones, it enabled voice dialing, recall, and hands free operations for most phone functions. So too, the navigation system with GPS, which quickly got us to our destination. And finally, the heated and cooled cupholder helps to keep a cold drink cold, and hot drink hot, over a long drive. Nifty touch, but it hardly helps to elevate this bare bones cabin.
But does it go?
The Avenger’s 2.7-liter V6 pumps out 186 horsepower and 191 lb-ft. of torque, figures that are just above four-cylinder levels these days. Add in the decidedly low-tech four-speed automatic transmission and you’re looking at 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, hardly impressive figures.
The Avenger’s suspension bits include MacPherson struts in front with a multi-link package in back. Speed proportional power assisted rack and pinion steering transmits good road feel, but also the grumble of bad roads through the wheel. As we mentioned previously, the car now operates in a much quieter fashion than previous models due to increased attention being paid to the Department of NVH.
Braking power is about adequate for a vehicle this size. To that end, Dodge has equipped the Avenger with 11.5-inch rotors in front, and 10.3-inch rotors in back. Clamping both ends of the vehicle are single pot calipers. Dodge has gone middle of the road on ride quality, too, neither supplying a supremely firm ride for the sporty enthusiast types, while at the same not supplying a pillow soft ride on the other end of the spectrum.
We wanted to try the Avenger’s flex fuel capabilities. To that end, we tried to find a gas station selling ethanol but gave up after six tries.
Why you would buy it:
You love the looks of the Avenger’s big brother, the Charger, but can’t afford the extra scratch.
Why you wouldn’t:
Because alternatives like the Hyundai Sonata , Mazda Mazda6 , and Chevrolet Malibu exist.
Leftlane’s bottom line:
In a sentence: The sum of its parts is not as great as some of its parts.
2009 Dodge Avenger SXT base price, $21,500. As tested, $27,995.
Deep Water Blue paint, $225; Premium convenience group, $1,495; Ultimate Performance wheel and tire group, $295; Stability control, $425; 2.7-liter V6, $1,300; Power moonroof, $1,200; Destination, $740.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
