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:

• 

  Love my Car - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By PackersJd - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Well I have only owned this car for about 6 months but I can tell you that it is an excellent car for the price. I got all the cool special features I wanted for a reasonable price. The only thing that was a problem was if you replace the stock deck in the car you cant have the factory amp hooked up, and I have blown a few of the stock speakers but thats probably do the the weather in Michigan. Other then that small inconvience, its a great car

• 

  Awesome Car - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By PimpAVG - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Great gas mileage, good power, great first car for any young driver, stylish.

• 

  All around great car - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By Avenger21 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Well first of all its a affordable version of the viper :). It has a low stance with a front grill similar to that of the viper. It rides like a dream and has few flaws. I havent had any major problems, just the normal routine repairs. I love every aspect of this car, but maybe could use a bigger engine :)

• 

  avenger - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By mamagem - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Its a very good car. Its fun to drive it makes sense and is reliable.

• 

  Sharp & Sleek - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Chrissie - May 9 - 11:10 pm

  I really love the body style of this car The R/T is the more sporty of the bunch with the performance and handling, which is why I chose it. The seats are amazingly comfortable I also have the heated ones so that makes for a enjoyable ride. The sunroof also adds flair to it. Im planning on ordering the windbreaker to accent the sunroof. You really should test drive this to get the full extent of the vehicle, I honestly have no regrets on purchasing this vehicle. it rides smoothly and even more so with weight in it. I honestly have no complaints about the car it handles like a dream and I love the character it has it screams Im Ram Tough!

• 

  Good car but looking for a new one - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By DODGE, here it comes - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car used two years ago and have had to put a lot of money into it since then. However, the car could have been wrecked for all I know. I do love my car but I have had the check engine light come on and off for the past year. That has caused me to replace all plugs, 2 o2 sensors, and serveral other things. If the car did come out again I would look at buying but only if it had a 100,000 mile warranty. Only AM radio works, unless its the perfect temp outside and Im driving a certain speed. Other than that I have never listened to the FM radio...oh and my alarm has never worked.

• 

  1999 Avenger ES - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By The Avenger - May 3 - 2:00 am

  When I first looked at it I thought it was too sporty. Great V6 growl, but no real power. Claimed 170hp at about 4800rpm when the timing changes. It set me back in my seat. It handles like a sports car, and has room for 4. Love the huge trunk. The only problems, twice the battery light has come on. When the light was on and I flipped from bright to dim the radio lost power as if the ignition was turned. I also had a problem starting the car. Like it was still in drive and wouldnt even turn over. Thought it was the starter disabling of the security system.

• 

  Nice Look Weak Engine - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By Icekool - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I just recently bought the 2000 Avenger Es & I think it is a great car for the money... It is sharp looking and has some pep to it. The only downfall is it looks faster than it drives...

• 

  The Poor Mans Viper - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By OakleyJohn - April 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful car. I bought it with 73,000 miles on it. I have at it for over 6 months now and it is a great car. The Avenger seems to get a bad rap, only because there were some major flaws in the ES V6, but the STD 4 CYL runs great. Turning ratio is a bit annoying, but hey a small price to pay for such a low maintainence car that packs a wallop! Overall the Avenger is a great car, if you buy the STD 4 CYL.

• 

  The baby Viper - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Steelnyak - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The Avenger is an exceptional car for the money, and it has enough power, looks, and features to keep it in my garage.