Overview & Reviews
Thus far, Dodge has used the name "Avenger" on two wholly different cars from different time periods. The first Avenger was a midsize, two-door coupe born in the mid-1990s. Noted mostly for its stealthy good looks, the original Dodge Avenger also featured a reasonably roomy cabin and an appealing blend of handling and comfort. It enjoyed some success both with critics and consumers, though at decade's end it faded away with little notice. After a long hiatus, the Avenger name resurfaced in 2008 when Dodge deemed it fitting for the successor to the Stratus sedan.
Unfortunately, the second-generation Avenger has not enjoyed the positive reaction of its two-door predecessor. Despite a midlife overhaul that corrected many of its initial glaring faults, the Avenger has always been one of the least competitive midsize sedans. Consumers will find that most competitors, both import and domestic, offer more space, superior interior designs and a higher level of overall refinement.
Current Dodge Avenger
The Dodge Avenger shares much of its engineering with the previous-generation Chrysler 200 sedan. The differences between the two come down to styling, as the Avenger's more aggressive shape is aimed at a younger audience. There is a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 good for 283 hp. The four-cylinder sends its power to the front wheels through either a four- or six-speed automatic transmission, depending on trim level. The V6 gets a six-speed auto with a manual-shift mode.
The Avenger's trim lines are SE, SXT and R/T. The SE is reasonably well equipped, while moving up to the SXT will get you features like an upgraded transmission, automatic climate control, a power driver seat and a six- (rather than four-) speaker sound system with satellite radio. The sporty R/T comes with the V6 engine as standard, plus 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, remote start, heated front sport seats, leather and cloth upholstery, Bluetooth and an upgraded audio system.
The Avenger's interior boasts soft-touch materials and tight construction, but the look is a tad generic, the available in-car electronics are behind the times and there isn't as much space for passengers. As for the Avenger's engines, the base four-cylinder is barely adequate (especially with the four-speed automatic) and sounds unrefined. The V6 engine is very strong, however, and also returns commendable fuel economy. Handling is also pretty good, although again, not quite up to the class leaders.
In total, the Dodge Avenger is a solid sedan if you're prioritizing a V6 power plant and value. But in general, we think you'd be better served by most other competing models.
Used Dodge Avenger Models
The second-generation Dodge Avenger debuted for 2008 and is represented by the current model. However, the Avenger was so poorly received that it underwent a major overhaul for 2011, which included updated styling, a revamped interior with higher-quality materials, added safety features and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6. It has been essentially unchanged since then, other than a renaming of trim levels for 2012 (originally Express, Mainstreet, Heat, R/T and an additional fully loaded Lux trim).
From 2008 through '10, there were three engine options: the current four-cylinder, a 2.7-liter, 189-hp V6 and a 3.5-liter, 235-hp V6. There were also three trim levels -- SE, SXT and R/T. The base four-cylinder-only SE came with air-conditioning, a CD stereo, full power accessories and cruise control. All-wheel drive was optional in that first year on models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6. For 2009, all trim levels received more sound insulation, the 2.7-liter V6 became a fleet-only engine option later in the year and the R/T trim was newly available with the four-cylinder engine. For 2010, the SE trim level was deleted and the Express trim added.
These early model year Avenger sedans suffered from a variety of ailments. Neither the four-cylinder nor the V6 engines were particularly good in regards to performance, refinement or efficiency. The interior was also far below that of the competition, with designs and materials that were best described as rental-car quality. If that wasn't enough to drive buyers away, the Avenger was also stuck with lifeless steering, excessive body roll and underachieving brakes. We highly recommend that you look at different used family sedans.
The first Dodge Avenger was sold from 1995-2000. Employing a platform derived from the Mitsubishi Galant and similar to the one used in the contemporaneous Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Avenger had the Chrysler Sebring coupe as its twin and debuted with two powertrains. The first was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 140 hp mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic -- all borrowed from the Dodge Neon. The step-up engine was a 2.5-liter, Mitsubishi-built V6 with 155 hp, mated to a four-speed automatic. The Avenger's trim lines were base and ES.
Initially, the base model opened with the four-cylinder engine, 14-inch wheels, a radio and dual airbags. The V6-powered ES model came with an upgraded suspension, antilock all-disc brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, air-conditioning, a cassette deck and cruise control. Base models could add most of the ES's items, while ES models could add leather seats and a sunroof.
The Avenger's biggest changes came in 1997, when meaner styling adorned the body and new 17-inch wheels were made available to ES models. More significantly, both the base and ES now had the four-cylinder standard, with the V6 optional. For the Avenger's final year in 2000, Dodge made the V6 standard on both, and also loaded up the ES with a power driver seat, leather and keyless entry.
The Dodge Avenger was a fairly appealing coupe in its day as long as the V6 was specified. The front seats were comfortable, and unlike in most cars sporting two doors, the Avenger's rear seat actually offered some semblance of comfort for adults. The Avenger also held the advantage of actually looking like a coupe instead of a bland sedan with two fewer doors. However, the Avenger's record for reliability is notably poor. As such, we wouldn't recommend it as a used-car purchase.
User Reviews:
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Its realiable - 1999 Dodge Avenger
By pj - January 6 - 1:29 amI got this car in the summer of 05 and its a 99. It came with the best sound system Ive heard in a long time. I havent had to do too much but replace the battery. Its got power but not enough for the body style. On top of that its fun to drive and with my 18 in rims on it I get lots of looks. If you like the body style I suggest you buy this car. Its reliable, sporty looking, good gas mileage, and most of all fun to drive
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I absolutely love this car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
By Darrell - December 11 - 6:26 amI got one of the first on the lot and fell in love with it at first sight. Great styling. Pick-up is great but Im no rabbit and the worst mileage Ive gotten is 28.1 with 32.2 on a recent long trip. Sure is nice to drive 7+ hours before I have to fill up with cruise control set on 73. Im over 60 and its easy to get in and out of. The interior is well laid out and very quiet. Love that can cooler and 6 CD changer for long drives. Fold down rear arm rest is the best yet for passengers. Trunk is humungous and makes it easy to stash lots of stuff. Also love the dual-level console with the sliding arm rest so I can put it where I need it. The adjustable lumbar support is great.
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This car is soo Reliable - 1996 Dodge Avenger
By Lady K - November 27 - 9:30 pmThis is my first car and suppose to get me through college. 140000 miles and counting. Overall the car works mostly all of the time, only normal general maintenance is required ( tune ups, oil changes, etc..) Never really had any big expensive problems with it and Ive had it almost 6 years. Love It !!
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Finally Rid of this Lemon - 1996 Dodge Avenger
By Nellie03 - November 10 - 12:21 pmI cant imagine owning another Dodge. The transmission went out as soon as the warranty did. Ive gone through more ball joints and wheel bearings than gallons of gas it seems! Wiper fluid pump went out at 100,000. Exhaust leaked at 75K. Power Locks went out. Nothing but trouble, but is that really a surpise coming from Dodge? If its not a Hemi, its junk...
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reliable - 1999 Dodge Avenger
By rmmedj123 - November 9 - 7:13 pmI have put a lot of miles on this car and it has held up wonderfully. Over 180,000 miles so far and no mechanical difficulties. Oil change and tires is it. Good Luck or Good car, probably both.
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Sporty Good! - 2014 Dodge Avenger
By ANDIE - October 25 - 1:03 pmThe SE model I recently purchased is a great car. I love the Sporty look, it rides good, and runs good mechanically. The radio is a the basic stereo for this vehicle. No rear view camera, no navigation or touch screen options. Im thinking about upgrading just for the rear view assistance. The windows arent as wide as what Im used to in a suv. But all in all Im pleased!
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I love my gorgeous Avenger ES coupe!!! - 1998 Dodge Avenger
By Danielle B. - October 15 - 2:10 amI bought my Avenger in September of this year, and I have loved every second of owning this car. I have had no problems at all with it, and I hope I never do. It has 99,000 miles on it, and it runs great. It drives great, looks awesome, and the interior is so comfortable. I have seriously almost fallen asleep in the seats before. I am also impressed with the fuel economy. I couldnt have been happier with any other car.
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Its now called my Revenger. - 2008 Dodge Avenger
By wyJJ - October 12 - 10:10 pmDrive this car along I-90 in WY. Hit a deer at 75 mph with 250 miles on the odometer and the car ran another 75 miles to get me home. Realized that all that the damage was mostly plastic and that had probably saved the structural aspects of the car. Was wearing my seatbelt and I did not get tossed foward at all, felt extremely safe. I drive this car 120 miles round trip to work and home, through the fall and now winter, good handling car, I have not had any problems driving on snow and no problems starting this car in the cold. Brakes and steering are not soft and not touchy. Decent clearance for a lower riding car, suspension is great and rougher roads/dirt roads are no problem for this car
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Good car, but some problems - 1998 Dodge Avenger
By KatyW - October 7 - 9:56 pmThis is essentially a great car, except for two major problems. First, the door handles break off. BOTH of my handles broke within a year of having the car! I personally know two other people who have had this happen to them, and I see other Avengers on the road with messed up handles all the time. Its not a cheap problem to fix, either ($250/door without paint!). Which brings me to the second problem: the paint. Almost every black Avenger I see is oxidized like crazy - my entire trunk is now white, and the roof isnt far behind (even though I waxed it regularly and kept it in covered parking).
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Take it to the Junk Yard - 1996 Dodge Avenger
By JO - September 16 - 6:43 pmBought the car new, hated it within 2 years, I finally had enough after 9.5 years and only 70,000 miles. Repalced tranny after 3 years and 30,000, it is going again. O2 sensor light on constantly for past 4 years, replaced virtualy every sensor including $600 part of manifold. Pieces of the door panel starting breaking off 2 years ago. Struts, ball joints and bushings gone at 50,000. Rack and Pinion gone at 60,000. Final straw, the control arm snapped, droping the car, mechanic suggested getting rid of car quickly, it is literally rotting away.