2011 Dodge Avenger Review

Dodge Avenger

The mid-size 2011 Dodge Avenger sedan gets a new drive train, new suspension pieces and new front and rear clips as Chrysler tries to rehab the image of this rental-car mainstay.

The Avenger's sheet metal carries over virtually unchanged. Inside, the Dodge Avenger gets a new dash, which looks great, with convincing quantum leaps in style and materials. The lower half of the Avenger's dash seems to wear lower-grade plastic than the 200, and some of the same carryover gauges and buttons are more noticeable, surrounded by better-quality bits.

A 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder carries over from last year's Dodge Avenger as the base engine in the 2011 Dodge Avenger, but the new 3.6-liter pent star V-6 is new across the board to the Chrysler lineup. The new V-6 drops 283 horsepower in the front-drive Avenger's engine bay, with 260 pound-feet of torque twisting through a six-speed automatic transmission. In five different trims, the 2011 Dodge Avenger spreads out standard features and options.

Virtually every Dodge model received serious upgrades for 2011, and the poor, sorry Dodge Avenger got its share too. Optionally, Dodge’s brand-new 3.6-liter pent star V6 replaces the old 3.5-liter, and produces a class-leading 283-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, up 48 hp and 28 lb-ft for ’11.

With an increase in both front- and rear track, wider tires, and lower springs (12 mm front, 6 mm rear), the car handles itself with aplomb. The standard 17-inch wheels aren’t bad, but 18-inchers are available on mid- and high-end models.

It will also get unique 18-inch wheels, special paint colors, a body-colored grille and special interior treatment.

Gone are the hard plastics and large gaps that long characterized Dodge interiors. – build truly competitive products.

The $21,245 Main Street should be the sweet spot for Avenger sales by adding the six-speed automatic, an eight-way power seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, climate control, heated mirrors, a six-speaker stereo, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

The $23,545 four-cylinder Lux should be easy to pigeon-hole, with heated leather seats, Connect hands-free, plusher materials, chromed 18-inch wheels and more, while the V6 is available for a price.

The 2011 Dodge Avenger rides well, but that's overshadowed by lingering quality issues and a cabin that's not as comfortable as its competitors.

With the optional V-6 engine, the Dodge Avenger was one of the quietest non-luxury cars I've driven lately. If quiet is what you want in a family sedan, check out this car.

An all-new 3.6-liter V-6 is optional (a 2.4-liter four-cylinder is standard), and it makes the Dodge Avenger an acceptably quick car.

Meanwhile, fuel economy for the V-6 Avenger is mudpack: it gets 19/29 mpg. The Avenger's tighter confines manifest themselves in a few ways. The Avenger's front bucket seats are unusually small and unsupportive, and that compromises comfort.