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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  This is Love - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By JusBringIt - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this fancy car over 230 miles away from home in Pennsylvania. Ive been through the best and the worst with this car and every time I turn it on, it returns the favor. Ive made some additions over the 3.7 years Ive own the car, however nothing that takes away from the original showmanship. There were very few problems with this car and most of them were self inflicted. The only issue I have is that I dont have a manual transmission. Keep up the maintenance and the car will give you years of service. This car drives even better than it did the day I bought it. It ages like wine.

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  300.000 miles and running excellently - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By Carlos - September 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car with 235,000 miles to travel driving to Mexico in 2008, not only we did that, now we are in Argentina with the same car after 65.000 miles of adventure, fun and good memories. The best buy ever and a good friend to have. I only can say thanks to my car.

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  Avenger Review - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By Misty - September 4 - 9:25 pm

  I really like our new car, gas mileage is wonderful and it is fun to drive. I do have a couple complaints: after it rains the trunk holds water then when you lift the trunk it drains into the trunk. The touchscreen is too bright at night and cant turn it down. Also, the middle console is not designed very good. The cup holders are hard to reach and the little tray in the middle is back to far.

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  After 2 years, still awesome! - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Bill - August 18 - 3:53 pm

  Ive had my 2.7l SXT for two years now and it is still an awesome ride! It handles flawlessly, excellent in snow and rain and VERY smooth. The engine is VERY quiet and idles smooth. Overall quality has been excellent! No problems at all in the 2 years and the paint is solid. Gas mileage has been 22-24 mpg city and 28- 31 mpg highway. LOTS of power and VERY fun to drive!

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  245,000 miles, no problem - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By White Avenger - August 17 - 8:59 pm

  I bought my beautiful car in 2005. I have 245,000 miles on it and have only had one tune up and spent not more than 2,000 in repairs. Except the time I got ripped off for about 1,500 from the Dodge Dealer.

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  Impressed - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By AJ - June 29 - 3:23 pm

  I bought a new 2010 Dodge Avenger R/T with the 4 cylinder engine. I was a little skeptical because of the small engine and "being a car". I have driven trucks around my whole life. I bought it because I drive a minimum of 600 miles a week with my new job, so the thought of 30 mpg was the deciding factor. I have had it for almost 3 months and have 7,000 miles on it, and I could not be happier. I average 27 mpg, that includes city and highway. I have had two trips that were all highway, my first I got 37 mpg and the second was 33. I always fill it up and reset the tripometer so my calculations are true. It is a great car and fits all my needs, even putting my rode bike in the back seat

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  Love My New Car - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By Tracie - June 9 - 8:06 pm

  This car is fabulous! I wanted something that was fun and had enough power to make driving a good time but not enough to get me in trouble. I also wanted something that was the right size for a growing family. This car fits all of my needs and the added extras like the media center just sweeten the deal. Its fun and it fits the zippy mom car role I was looking for

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  Avenger - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By bee - May 31 - 8:20 pm

  I got an avenger today and I am loving it. I drove 83 miles on a full tank by the time I got home it was 1/4 tank used. I love this ride. I also have 2 teenagers and a 2 yr boys room I have for them and thats what I was looking for. Go get one try it youll love it

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  Questions - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By kdub - May 20 - 8:11 pm

  My door handle broke and I see almost everyone elses has too! Other than that the car really is awesome!

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  Great Ride - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Doug - May 2 - 11:03 am

  This is a fantastic vehicle. I bought it to have a more reliable ride for the hour long drive i have to work. It preforms very well in bad weather and seems to handle flooded streets with ease. The vehicle handles very well making turns fluently and with little effort. Its nav system, touch screen digital radio, and sun roof make the drive fun. Its driver power adjusted seat and heated front leather seats are very comfortable. the only negative thing that i can think of is that the 6 cylinder engine gets about 25 miles to the gallon and i would like to see it get a little better than that to save money and off set the cost of the car. Other than that no complaints at all.