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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  good car bad brakes - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By scottyboy - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very reliable for me however, this excludes the rotors on my cars front brakes. After having the replaced several times ( for free-- they were replaced before i bought the car and crysler warrents their work for a year. ) I decided to buy some cross drilled rotors. this has solved that problem - other than some oil consumption this car has been rock steady. I have blown a few of the "infinity" speakers. but the humidity in michigan is probly to blame for that. replaced the eaisily bent rims ( dang potholes). its cheap to maintain, but sucks fuel in the winter. the transmission is slow, not the car.

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  A Sheep in Wolfs Clothing - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Rotting - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Over the 3 years I owned the car, the first 1.5 years were trouble-free, and the last 1.5 years were trouble-full. The problems seemed to be related to things Ive never had problems with in cars - for example, last month I had to install a new power steering pump. Even religious oil changes will not help to keep this car out of the shop. During my last trip to the shop, during a test drive the car caught fire and was destroyed.

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  My baby!!!! - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By Southsyde4eva - March 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Avenger a little over a year ago and I havent stopped loving her yet! I have kept regular maintenance on her and the only repair Ive had to do was to replace the alternator and a/c belts. If they were to bring back the Avenger I might consider trading mine in for a new one but other than that---I wouldnt give her up for anything!!!

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  I love this car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By nobody2u - March 6 - 10:40 am

  I absolutely love this car. The way it looks, the way it drives, everything. I finally got rid of my Jeep after 10 years & knew I was in the market for a sedan. My first choice was the Sebring, but when we saw this car on the lot, I had to drive it and oh my God. How I love this car. I havent seen too many on the roads yet, but I have a feeling this is going to be a very popular choice of vehicle for all people.

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  Great Affordable Car - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Slonestar2000 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Avenger in September of 1999 and Ive had only a few maintenance difficulties with it but nothing that I couldnt repair myself. This car is amazingly low maintenance, and stylish yet still affordable.

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  Love this car!! - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By darkangel - March 1 - 2:00 am

  people always ask me why did I buy an avenger? the ratings are so bad. thats only because people by the V6s. My four bangers pushin hard and Im loving every minute of it. the bigest problem Ive had was a broken power steering belt ($26 replacement wow..) kinda hard to work on the headlights, but oh well, I wont be changing them for a while.

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  Its cool - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By Oldskool96 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The car fit me perfectly. Stylish on the outside, simplistic on the inside.

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  Awesome - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Nareitz - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome vehicle. I went from a Honda Accord to the Avenger and will never get another Honda again. These cars ROCK

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  decent buy...just dont look at resale! - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By Kilbrie - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife. I decided on this car based soley on looks, and the fact that every review mentioned that the quality was much better after 1999. It has been a reliable car and has given me no major problems, but I will not own another one. After 40,000 miles, there are numerous interior creaks and groans, the interior light keep blowing, the motor has developed a "tick" and the transmission is shifting is very sloppy.

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  Best car owned - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By MurdaMo - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I got the 4 cylinder (420a I4) auto. The car somewhat lags in acceleration. So I put in some cheap mods (headers and cold-air intake), for a little extra acceleration. The car is best at higher speeds (i.e. passing someone). Very fun car to drive. Its mainly a show car.