2012 Dodge Avenger

Basic Specs

Base Price $18,995
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 3400
City (MPG) 21
Hwy (MPG) 30
Horsepower 173@6000
Torque (lb-ft) 166@4400
Wheelbase 108.9
Length (in.) 192.6
Width (in.) 72.8
Height (in.) 58.4

Dodge ’s outgoing Avenger sedan was hardly the performance machine its mildly racy style hinted at, but the automaker says that its heavily revised current model year Avenger addresses all of those issues – and more.

The biggest changes come beneath its skin, although the look features some significant nips and tucks, too. The front fascia gains Dodge ’s latest crosshair-style grille, while a revised rear fascia is simpler and more upscale than before. New wheel designs complete the look.

Inside, the Avenger gets an all new interior that appears to share little with its predecessor. Audi o and climate controls are unchanged, but that’s about where the similarities end. A reshaped dashboard, new door panels and different seats mark the biggest changes, but the look is essentially completely new inside. Dodge promises significantly upgraded materials and more emphasis on craftsmanship, best exhibited in the photos by contrasting stitching and improved detailling.

Dodge also says that notable strides have been made in the sound deadening department, where 45 new or upgraded “treatments” have been applied to the sedan.

Solid and two-tone interiors will be offered in either cloth or leather trim.

Yet the biggest changes come underneath the interior and exterior. Not surprisingly, Chrysler ’s now-ubiquitous 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 shows up in the Avenger. Rated at 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque, the V6 gives the Avenger best-in-class optional power and what the automaker says is “competitive” fuel economy. The V6 is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Also new for the Avenger is the Avenger R/T package, coming standard with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and six-speed automatic transmission along with a sport-minded suspension setup with increased roll stiffness, more aggressive springs, thicker stabilizer bars and increased damping rates. Unique 18-inch alloy wheels will be wrapped in more aggressive tread.

To go with its more aggressive suspension package, the Avenger R/T adds a body-colored grille, black headlamp innards and R/T decals outside including "war paint" on the front fenders.

For the interior, Dodge swapped in more aggressive seats wrapped in leather and a fabric it calls “Aunde.” A unique gauge cluster with a center-mounted tachometer and a steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather round out the changes inside.

Also coming with a six-speed automatic is the Avenger’s “re-calibrated” 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder. The 2.4-liter acts as the base engine, but returns up to 31 miles per gallon highway and delivers 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. The 2.4-liter engine comes standard with a four-speed automatic, but has an available six-speed automatic as well.

The Avenger’s suspension also gets an upgrade. Track is now an inch wider and tire width has been increased from 215 to 225 millimeters. The suspension has also been lowered 6 millimeters in the rear and 12 millimeters in the front and it features 26 new bushings. Dodge promises increased steering precision, response and feel and an improved “fun to drive” quotient.

Key Competitors
Those considering the Dodge Avenger should also research the stylish Chevrolet Malibu as well as the athletic Nissan Altima. If a low price point is paramount, the Mitsubishi Galant is also worth a look.

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    • General
    • Body Style: Sedan
    • Size: Midsize
    • Market Segment: Economy
    • Weight: 3400 lbs
    • Exterior
    • Length: 192.6 in.
    • Width: 72.8 in.
    • Height: 58.4 in.
    • Wheelbase: 108.9 in.
    • Ground Clearance: TBD
    • Front Track: 61.7 in.
    • Rear Track: 62.7 in.
    • Weight Distribution: TBD
    • Drag Coefficient: 0.328
    • Interior - General
    • Seats: 5
    • Passenger Volume: 100.2 cu. ft.
    • Cargo Volume: 13.5 cu. ft.
    • Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
    • Interior - Front Row
    • Volume: 55.3 cu. ft.
    • Leg Room: 42.4 in.
    • Head Room: 40.0 in.
    • Shoulder Room: 56.3 in.
    • Hip Room: 52.6 in.
    • Interior - Second Row
    • Volume: 44.9 cu. ft.
    • Leg Room: 36.2 in.
    • Head Room: 38.3 in.
    • Shoulder Room: 56.0 in.
    • Hip Room: 52.8 in.
    • Propulsion
    • Fuel Type: Gas
    • Engine Type: 2.4L I4
    • Power: 173 hp @ 6000 rpm
    • Torque: 166 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
    • Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
    • Highway Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
    • City Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
    • Forced Induction: None
    • Direct Injection: No
    • Chassis
    • Layout: Front Wheel Drive
    • Front Suspension: Strut-Type
    • Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
    • Wheels
    • Front: 17" Steel
    • Front Tires: P225/55R17
    • Rear: 17" Steel
    • Rear Tires: P225/55R17
    • Trailering & Hauling
    • Trailer Weight: 1000 lbs
    • Payload:
    • Tongue Weight: TBD

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    Step 1 - Trim

    Style

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      SE

      • 2.4L DOHC I4 w/ VVT, SMPI, 4-Speed Automatic, 173 Horsepower and 30 hwy mpg+
      • 17-Inch Wheel Covers
      • Refined Suspension
      • Media Center w/ AM/FM Radio, CD Player and WMA/MP3 Jack
      • Premium Cloth Bucket Seats
      • 60/40 Split Folding Backseat
      • Side-Curtain and Front Side Seat Airbags+
      • Electronic Stability Control w/+ Traction Control
      • Ambient LED Lighting
      • 16.9 gal. fuel tank

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      SXT

      • Includes Everything on SE, Plus:
      • 6-Speed Automatic and 31 hwy mpg+
      • 17-Inch Cast-Aluminum Painted Wheels
      • Six Speakers
      • Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
      • Driver Seat w/ 8-Way Power Adjust
      • Electronic Vehicle Information Center w/ Trip Computer and Compass
      • Tire Pressure Display
      • Automatic Temperature Control
      • Premium Headliner

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      SXT Plus

      • Includes Everything on SXT, Plus:
      • 18-Inch Aluminum Wheels
      • Automatic Headlamps
      • Fog lamps
      • Media Center w/ 6.5-In. Touchscreen, 30GB Hard Drive, CD/DVD and WMA/MP3
      • Dual bright exhaust tips
      • P225/50R18 BSW AS touring tires
      • 3.6L Pentastar® V6 w/ 283 Horsepower and 29 hwy mpgEPA est. mpg (www.fueleconomy.gov).
      • Engine oil cooler
      • Trunklid spoiler

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      R/T

      • Includes Everything on SE Plus, Plus:
      • 18" Spider monkey aluminum wheels
      • Remote Start+
      • New 18-Inch Cast-Aluminum Painted Wheels
      • Uconnect Voice Command with Bluetooth+
      • Sport tuned suspension
      • Performance tuned steering
      • Unique Interior Color Scheme
      • Z-Striped Cloth With leather accents
      • Front fender mounted sport stripes

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    Total Price:

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    Step 2 - Options

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    Interior

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      SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ 1-Year Radio Sunscription

      • Hear what a great car sounds like. With over 130 channels, SiriusXM Satellite Radio brings you more of what you love. You get 100% commercial-free music from nearly every genre, artist-dedicated channels and live performances you can't hear anywhere else. Hear the best sports coverage with live play-by-play and expert talk including every NFL?? game, every NASCAR?? race, college sports and more. The biggest and most compelling names in talk with Howard Stern and Martha Stewart, laugh-out-loud comedy with Jamie Foxx's The Foxxhole and Blue Collar Comedy, world-class news, family programming, local traffic & weather every 4 minutes and much more. And now you can add "The Best of XM" to your SiriusXM subscription and get even more amazing programming with Oprah Radio???, NBA and NHL?? games, the 24/7 NHL Home Ice?? and MLB?? Home Plate??? channels, the PGA TOUR?? Network, college sports, Opie & Anthony and much more. Now more than ever, Everything Worth Listening to Is on SiriusXM. Your first year of SiriusXM radio service is included. For more information call 1-888-539-SIRIUS (7474). SiriusXM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. SiriusXM Radio requires a subscription, sold separately after trial subscription included with vehicle purchase. Prices and programming are provided by SiriusXM and are subject to change. Subscriptions governed by SiriusXM Terms & Conditions available at sirius.com. Other fees and taxes apply. "The Best of XM" not available on all radios. SiriusXM Radio U.S. service only available in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico, to those at least 18 years of age. Service available in Canada; see www.siriuscanada.ca.

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      Uconnect Voice Command w/ Bluetooth

      • Communicate virtually hands-free with an in-vehicle, voice-activated system that allows you to talk using your Bluetooth??-compatible phone.
      • Bluetooth?? Streaming Audio
      • Remote USB Port
      • Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Microphone

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    Powertrain

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      2.4-Liter I4 DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine

      • 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Dual Overhead Cam 16-valve dual Variable Valve Timing engine produces 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

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      2.4-Liter I4 PZEV 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine

      • 2.4-liter 4-cylinder PZEV 16-valve dual Variable Valve Timing engine produces 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.
      • 18.5-Gallon Fuel Tank

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      Engine Block Heater

      • N/A

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    Packages

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      Smoker's Group

      • Cigar Lighter
      • Removable Ashtray

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    Exterior Colors

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      Blackberry Pearl Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Black Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Blue Streak Pearl Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Bright White Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Copperhead Pearl Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Redline 2-Coat Pearl Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Tungsten Metallic Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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    Interiro Colors

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      Black Interior Color

      • N/A

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      Black / Light Frost Beige Interior Colors

      • N/A

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