2009 Dodge Avenger Review

With three trims to choose from, buyers will be pleased with what the 2009 Dodge Avenger has to offer. As a carryover from the prior model year, the Avenger maintains the same sporty appeal combined with favorable fuel economy and a number of options. Not only that, this Dodge has an affordable price that is sure to attract potential buyers. For those consumers looking to put a bit more oomph in their family sedan, at thousands less than the Mercury Sable, the Avenger features an R/T trim that blows most of the competition out of the water.

Under the hood, the 2009 Avenger can be equipped with a 173 horsepower 2.3L four-cylinder with variable valve timing or a powerful 235 horsepower 3.5L High Output V6 on the R/T trim. The variable valve timing controls the exhaust intake so that the model uses less power when available and decreases the fuel consumption. With this addition, the four-cylinders get 21 city MPG and 30 highway MPG. While the R/T has significantly more power, its fuel economy is not much lower at 16 city MPG and 26 highway MPG. The base trim is fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the R/T gets a six-speed automatic with AutoStick functions. AutoStick allows drivers to manually shift the vehicle without a clutch, adding to the sportiness and overall driver control of the model. 16-inch steel wheels are included on the SE, but all other trims get 17 or 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Inside, consumers will need to upgrade to a higher trim to get a significant number of amenities. The SE includes a CD player with MP3 compatibility, one-year subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. Higher trims get a premium sound system, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a Chill Zone bin in the instrument panel. The Chill Zone will keep drinks cool while the car is turned on with air conditioning, but when the Avenger is shut off, the Chill Zone loses its cooling power. Remote keyless entry is included on all trims, but four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes can only be found on the higher trims. Some buyers might be put off that this critical safety feature is not standard on the base trim though.

general, the 2009 Dodge Avenger looks like a muscle car on the outside and a family-friendly sedan on the inside. This could be a huge plus for those buyers that want the conveniences of a family sedan, but still want to look stylish. Also, priced at around $19,815, this five-passenger model is affordable for most buyers. However, some might say that more features should be included for the MSRP.