The Avenger is back, sans its super-hero attributes. In a previous life the Dodge Avenger was a 2-door Stratus. Now, the all-new 2008 Avenger is a sedan; one that’s roughly the same size as the Stratus it replaces, but with an extra 4 in. of height. It is based on the platform of the Chrysler Sebring.
Its styling falls in line with other Dodge models, meaning it has substance and character that won’t wilt in the sun. The cross-hair grille, hooded headlamps, rear fender arches and other details call to mind the Charger.
To be initially offered in 2007 are the SE, SXT and R/T models, while later in 2007 an all-wheel-drive R/T will make its debut.
The interior quality is much like the Sebring’s. The gauges are hard to see in daylight, because they are recessed. Upright seating is higher than one might expect in a sedan, but there is ample head room. Hard plastics are still in abundance, but mostly in places that passengers don’t touch. The rear seating is ample for a sedan in this price range.
A welcome feature is the Chill Zone, an air-conditioned storage box capable of holding four soda cans. A rear-seat video system is available — a worthy feature at this price level and in this segment. If you order the Premium Convenience Group, one of the Avenger’s two front center cupholders can heat a beverage to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or chill it to 35 degrees — perfect for your coffee or your Coke.
The base SE starts at $18,895. It features the slightly-too-noisy 2.4-liter inline-4 World Engine that produces a healthy 173 bhp and 166 lb.-ft. of torque. Power routed through the 4-speed automatic transmission gives adequate performance. At its respectably low price, the SE is more than acceptable transportation that offers the owner front, side and curtain airbags, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an MP3-capable CD player, keyless entry and 16-in. steel wheels. Noticeably absent are ABS and rear disc brakes.
Next up is the SXT at $19,795. It includes ABS, but doesn’t do away with the rear drum brakes. For the extra grand, the seats are covered with YES Essentials fabric — a nice material in its own right, with the added benefit of being stain-resistant. The driver’s seat is 8-way power adjustable, and the SXT rolls on 17-in. alloy wheels.
Optional upgrades include the flex-fuel 2.7-liter V-6 that puts out 189 bhp and 191 lb.-ft. of torque. Stability control, navigation and MyGIG become available. MyGIG is an $1895 option, featuring navigation with an internal 20-gigabyte hard-disc drive that is capable of storing over 100 hours of music. There is also an auxiliary input for any audio source. The SXT is positioned to be the big seller and there are three optional packages: Convenience, Sport Appearance and Premium Convenience.