Avenger Keeps Its Cool
The Avengers are coming to Canada in mid-2007. We're not talking about John Steed and Emma Peel of the original British television series, but rather four new Dodge models in the form of the economical 30-mpg Dodge Avenger SE, through to the more luxurious and more powerful Dodge Avenger SXT and Dodge Avenger R/T, as well as the first mid-size Dodge Avenger R/T AWD that arrives further down the road.
From a styling point of view there is no mistaking the Avenger is a Dodge. The familiar grille, sharp fender creases and profile all spell-out DODGE.
Said Trevor Creed, senior vice-president, design: "Avenger does for the global D-segment what Caliber has done in the global C-segment — it offers a unique alternative to the competition."
The Avenger's side profile shares many family traits and styling cues of the Dodge Charger — including some muscle car DNA — but is different enough to provide an interesting alternative, especially when equipped with AWD.
The Avenger is built on the same platform as the new Chrysler Sebring, but I personally prefer the Dodge Avenger's more distinctive and less heavy-looking styling.
The performance version has a reworked grille, performance badges, a decklid spoiler and chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets to communicate the performance capability of the Avenger R/T's 3.5-litre engine.
The interior is pleasant with a variety of textures, gloss levels and tones on the dash and door panels.
The instrument panel top pad features Franklin grain with a low-gloss finish, while the centre stack features a stipple grain with low-gloss finish to match the top cover, defroster grille, driver cubby and Dodge logo on passenger side surrounds. From the cluster bezel to climate control knobs, circles are the primary graphic element repeated throughout the interior.
Taking a cue from the Dodge Ram, the Avenger's centre stack features a V-like ram's horn shape that surrounds the gated shifter bezel. The centre stack houses the dual heating and air conditioning vents. A large opening below the vents provides room for either the standard AM/FM/CD radio or the optimal MyGIG Multimedia navigation/audio/entertainment/communications system. On vehicles equipped with the UConnect Hands-free Communication System, phone buttons are packaged in the radio control head for easy access. There's also an available DVD rear-seat entertainment system that includes AM/FM stereo radio with MP3 playback capable CD/DVD player, six-disc CD/DVD changer and SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Unique to Dodge Avenger in the mid-size segment is an available Chill Zone that cools four 12-oz. beverages in a storage bin in the dash on the passenger's side. But even better are the hot or cold (at the flick of a switch) coffee, pop, water, hot chocolate front seat cupholders. They worked great and kept cold beverages cool — to two degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) — and hot beverages warm — to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). More kudos to Dodge!
There's a lot of plastic, but for the money the Avenger gets a thumbs-up.
Certainly the interior gets two thumbs-up for the three choices in seat coverings. There's a nice cloth for those who aren't going to eat banana splits and hot dogs in their Avenger, the YES Essentials stain-proof cloth — truly amazing stuff and a no-brainer for active families with kids — and upmarket leather. And yes, you can get heated seats without having to get leather. Cool — or rather, hot!
Overall the comfortable Avenger's interior provides seating for five with lots of rear legroom and the trunk is an easy-to-live-with 368 litres (13 cu. ft.).
The all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger — which is the first mid-size Dodge model offered in Canada in eight years — rides on a 108.9-in. wheelbase and 61.8-in. track.
Avenger also is the Dodge brand's first mid-size car to offer all-wheel-drive capability combined with a sport-tuned suspension, performance steering and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Traction Control and Advanced ABS.
The base Dodge Avenger SE has a Canadian manufacturer's suggested retail price of $21,995 (excluding a $1,200 destination charge). That's great value considering the standard features, but the real deal is the Avenger's quiet, comfortable ride and more than decent performance when fitted with the 173-hp, 2.4-litre engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.
Dodge officials didn't see this model as a big seller, but after cruising around for a day it was more than adequate for most family's needs.
The optional Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 189-hp, 2.7-litre V6 engine in the Dodge Avenger SXT is rated at 191 lb.-ft. of torque, providing more low-end punch. This newer V6 engine can operate on any blend of gasoline and fuel-grade ethanol up to E-85.
Dodge Avenger R/T and R/T AWD sedans featured a standard a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produced 235 hp and 232 lb.-ft. of torque coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle that comes standard with Auto Stick. This is the combination for the driver looking for greater performance in his weekend family hauler.
The Avenger's safety cage construction is complemented by multi-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags and front-seat-mounted side air bags.
The 2008 Dodge Avenger will be available in dealerships in the first quarter of 2007 and is definitely worth a test drive before you buy.
Norm Mort is a collector car enthusiast, old-car appraiser and member of AJAC.
normmort@hotmail.com
