Dodge Avenger

[blueoval]

I apologize if this is a repost.

OVERVIEW
The Chrysler Group in Australia seems to be making a virtue of redundancy. They already had the Jeep Compass on sale locally and recently, they added the Jeep Patriot to the line-up -- basically the same vehicle under the sheet metal.

Similarly, the new Dodge Avenger is the same basic car as the Chrysler Sebring (more here) but Avenger buyers will likely settle on the Dodge for its no-nonsense styling. It certainly brings a distinctive look to the medium car segment.

The Avenger also differs from the Sebring in offering an entry-level model (the Avenger SX) with a 2.0-litre engine and a five-speed manual transmission. There is a 2.4-litre engine available, however -- either as an option for the Avenger SX grade, or as standard with the Avenger SXT.

Avenger is a little cheaper than the Sebring, but the important point of difference is that distinctive styling.

In many ways, the Avenger is a competent and conventional front-wheel drive medium sector car. There are rumours of an all-wheel drive version and Dodge will definitely release a 2.7-litre V6 engine in the Avenger early next year, but for the time being, it drives much like Japanese and Korean medium cars, making it something like Toshiro Mifune dressed as John Wayne.


PRICING & EQUIPMENT
According to Auburn Hills, Dodge was always the beer-swilling, blue collar cousin to Chrysler and that's reflected in the pricing of the Avenger.

The 2.0-litre SX grade is priced from $28,290 and even the 2.4-litre SXT with all the fruit is just $1000 more expensive than the base Chrysler Sebring Touring. If you can do without the pips and rind, the SX 2.4 retails at $30,990 -- and that's not a bad price.

The difference between the SX with the 2.4 and the SXT can be essentially reduced to the following items which come as standard in the higher grade model: heated/cooled cupholder, premium audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, multi-function display with trip computer and tyre pressure-monitoring, leather trim, electrically adjustable driver's seat, front seat heating, rear spoiler, body colour mirrors and leather-bound multi-function steering wheel.

There are also some other do-dads to differentiate the two levels of trim; such things as chrome highlights for the SXT and different coordinating colour schemes.

As far as options go, metallic paint is a $300 impost for both grades and an electric sunroof costs $2000 for both SX and SXT. For $600 your SX can sport the SXT’s six-speaker 276-Watt premium audio system.

There's a lot to be said for buying an Avenger SX with the options of the 2.4-litre engine and the optional audio system and pocketing the difference. On the other hand, the features of the SXT bundled together are the very things that set the Avenger apart from some of its principal competitors.


MECHANICAL
As we've already mentioned, the Avenger is mechanically conventional. Both the 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder engines feature DOHC valvetrain with dual variable valve timing, which varies the timing of inlet and exhaust valves independently.

This helps the Avenger with the combination of the 2.4-litre engine and the four-speed automatic to achieve relatively respectable fuel consumption figures of 8.9lt/100km for the combined cycle and 6.9lt/100km for the extra-urban cycle, according to ADR 81/01.

Around town, the 2.4 auto should be good for 12.3lt/100km.

Power and torque for both engines arrive high in the rev range. Even though the 2.4-litre unit is an undersquare design, peak torque of 220Nm occurs at 4500rpm. The combination of the dual variable valve timing and the undersquare dimensions (narrower bore, longer stroke) should result in an engine that doesn't feel underwhelming at low revs and offers linear torque up to the redline. It doesn't really work out that way in practice.

We didn't drive the 2.0-litre engine, but we expect it to rev a little more willingly, perhaps lacking some pull at lower engine speeds.

Both engines are mounted transversely and drive to the front wheels through their respective transaxles (five-speed manual for the 2.0-litre and four-speed auto for the 2.4).

The front suspension is MacPherson strut and a multi-link IRS system keeps the bum from dragging.

Turning circle for the rack and pinion steering is 11.1m, which is marginally worse than the Avenger's better known competitors.

The front disc brakes are ventilated and the rear discs are solid. Both grades are equipped with ABS and electronic stability program (ESP).


PACKAGING
Although the Avenger is larger in external dimensions than most of its logical competitors, interior dimensions can't compete with the Hyundai Sonata, which is one car that comes close to the Avenger in size.

That issue aside, the Avenger is well packaged. In fact, you'd have to say that there are three principal reasons to buy the Avenger: looks, value and interior design.

It's not just how the interior looks -- although it certainly is attractive -- but also how it works and the sort of features that are innovative or otherwise add value to the equation. To use one example, the front passenger seat folds completely flat, so Americans can drive down to their 'Home Depot' (our Bunnings) to pick up some 'lumber' for their DIY project at home.

We don't actually recommend carrying long objects that can skewer vehicle occupants in the event of a prang, but people will do it.

In addition to a standard 'Chill Zone' cooler above the glovebox, the Avenger SXT is equipped with a cupholder that keeps hot drinks at 60 degrees and cool drinks at two degrees. Surely this must position the car as a favourite for the 2007-08 COFY (Cupholder of the Financial Year.)

The audio system has an input jack for MP3/iPod connectivity. It's not new, but it certainly works well and just adds another dimension to the Avenger's comfort and convenience.

We didn't get the chance to check it out at night, but Chrysler has fitted LED interior lighting for use by the front-seat occupants.

Interior styling is pleasant and combines use of two-tone trim (leather for the SXT, 'YES Essentials' fabric for the SX) with white-faced dials for the instruments. The SXT grade gains chrome highlights -- around the door handles for instance -- to differentiate it further from the base grade Avenger SX.

Build quality was generally good, although the 'Chill Zone' cover closed with a slightly uneven gap. This was certainly the exception rather than the rule though.

Dodge will shortly introduce 'MyGIG' -- the brand’s multi-media information and entertainment system that also takes care of navigation. It comprises a motorised 6.5-inch TFT screen, a 20-gig hard drive and a USB port for transferring data to and from the hard disk. Capable of running up to three different audio sources simultaneously, it can also download images to the hard disk via the USB port for display as a system wallpaper. The TFT screen displays movies when the vehicle is stationary and is described by Chrysler as an active matrix display which can be viewed adequately from both sides of the car without major loss of picture quality.


SAFETY
It's amazing how many safety features are fitted to a typical medium segment car these days. The Avenger is right up there with the rest and boasts all the prerequisites; dual front airbags, side impact airbags and side curtain airbags.

Those frontal protection airbags are also designed to deploy in varying degrees of force, dependent on the severity of the impact and the mass of the seat occupant.

Where the Avenger is ahead of many of its competitors is in the standard fitment of an electronic stability program (ESP) and traction control system.

These two features couldn't do their thing without the standard ABS fitted.

As most competitors do these days, the Avenger has three-point seatbelts for all positions and child safety seats are mounted by the ISOFIX method.


COMPETITORS
We firmly believe that the Avenger's styling will polarise buyers to such an extent that those who do not like it will not cross-shop it against other medium segment cars. Conversely, those who do like the styling of the Avenger are not likely to find anything else in the segment that will provide that sort of visual excitement.

So in that sense, the Avenger has no natural competitors.

Other buyers will benchmark the car for its features and value against competitors, even if they're not actually likely to buy one of the competitors over the Avenger -- or vice versa.

Therefore, we would pick the following vehicles as 'benchmark' competitors for the Avenger SXT: Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6, Subaru Liberty 2.5i, Toyota Camry Ateva and Volkswagen Jetta FSI.

The last has the smallest engine, but comes close to matching the power and torque of the others through its direct-injection fuel delivery system. Thus despite its volumetric deficit, the Jetta is a full second faster than the Avenger to 100km/h, according to factory specs.

Most competitors are lighter than the Avenger, even the Liberty with the extra drivetrain components. We attribute at least part of this weight difference to the Avenger's cast-iron engine block, when the competitors can all point to alloy blocks.

Both the Accord Euro and the Mazda6 feature double-wishbone front suspension, whereas the Avenger and other principal competitors make do with MacPherson strut front ends.

The turning circle of the Avenger can't match the Japanese rivals, partly due to the Avenger's greater width and wheelbase (the exception being the Camry). Other than the Liberty, none of Avenger's competitors are fitted with a four-speed automatic. Most have five speeds and the Jetta has six.

The Avenger is about middle of the road for pricing. It develops slightly less power and torque than the Liberty, which is priced the same as the Avenger, but has the added value of that all-wheel drive. The Avenger is $2000 less than the Accord Euro, $1000 more than the Camry, $3000 more than the Mazda6 and about $300 less than the Jetta.

A three-year/100,000km warranty covers the Avenger and this is in common with the Camry, the Jetta and the Accord Euro. The other principal competitors apply a three-year/unlimited km warranty.

When you tote up the leather trim and heated front seats, which are not available with any of the principal competitors (except the latter, as an option pack for the Jetta), the Avenger SXT is starting to pull a couple of lengths away from the pack. Electric adjustment for the driver's seat is another feature that sets the Dodge apart from the others, although the Camry is fitted with this as standard.


ON THE ROAD
For Australian-delivery vehicles, the Avenger's suspension has been tuned to European settings. It's still quite soft-riding (and well damped with it), but it's also a safe handling car with decent levels of roadholding at higher speeds.

The natural handling trait is consistent understeer and we think it would take some brute force and ignorance to provoke anything else.

Feedback through the wheel is quite good and the driver can feel the front tyres supplying understeer tell-tales with a large margin for error. The ride and handling worked out a good compromise and the Avenger wasn't seriously affected by mid-corner bumps.

The tyres were quiet on the road, but the engine became a little 'audible' around the middle of the rev range -- not rudely loud though. On occasion, the suspension could be heard working over sharper bumps.

A Mercedes-Benz-style sequential shift plane for the automatic transmission is the standard fare for the Avenger SXT. We like this system and regard it as one of the more sensible systems of its type in the market.

The auto shifted fairly smoothly too, but the lack of a fifth ratio is felt at times. On some of the grades around Queenstown, the Avenger was stuck with a third gear that was too low or a fourth gear that held back the engine, with its high-stepping torque.

It's not just about the transmission. The engine is competitively powerful, but the added weight of the Avenger SXT is a further handicap. It's 50kg heavier than the Avenger SX, let alone some of the lighter Japanese models.

Though no firebrand, the Avenger has a lot going for it. It looks great in our view. There's plenty of value in it and there's no reason to suggest it's below par in fit and finish.

But we can't help thinking that the 2.7-litre V6 might offer just that bit more substance when it arrives.


http://editorial.carsales.com.au/car...w/2776693.aspx




What are peoples opinions?

[blueoval]

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=20202

[dannyxm]

The commercial is great, with the bloke playing the song 'smoke on the water' with the cars on the Dynos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g07AarNDNk

[GT-E]

American crap
If then only thing you car about is how the car looks, then they Chrysler/Dodge is a funky looking car, but other than looks they lack build quality and longevity.
I looked at at the Avenger, but got a Honda Accord VTI-L for the same money.
I would own the Daewoo/Holden Epiaca before them.

[stupa]

Looks good, too much reading. Does it come with an 8?

[blueoval]

Zap - what you say is true. The quality certainly isnt up to par of euro and jap cars. I give them kudos for trying to break into a well established market though.

These days though most look at looks before build and if it gets some peoples attention off the street then they arent doing a bad job. It would be good to see some attention to detail.

The poxy engine packages dont match up to the looks of it either. With that appearance I kind of expect a performance donk under the bonnet.

[Unco]

Originally Posted by ZapXR6T

American crap

I would own the Daewoo/Holden Epiaca before them.

ouch, while i agree that chrysler build quality leaves a lot to be desired, i don't think i would put it down the same level as daewoo... having owned both brands in the past.

[Rodp]

I saw a few on the back of a truck but couldn't get a good look since I never had a good view of it and wasn't going to risk going up the bum (looks like the a word is completely erased in a message :P) of someone for a car that doesn't seem to be sold as an 8 here...?

If they had the Dodge out of NCIS here, I'd certainly take one for a test drive to check it out.

[The Stylist]

Originally Posted by stupa

Looks good, too much reading. Does it come with an 8?

No, if you want an V8 then you will have to look at privately importing its similar looking bigger brother, the Charger.

[Fast Eddie]

Is this the same car that's featured in an ad with it on a All-Wheel-Drive dyno? If it is and the Avenger is a Front Wheel Drive, why are the back wheels turning?

[sleekism]

When do we get the Dodge Challenger??

Bad build Dodge Build Quality???? My uncle has a Dodge Truck from the 70's with the beutiful petrol big block V8 and it still runs strong.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by sleekism

When do we get the Dodge Challenger??

We don't. LHD only.

[csv8]

But you gotta give Dodge credos for being different. Why not drive a car that isn't a cardigan ? Most Japanese cars are for cardigan drivers, with Chrysler Dodge yoy get something different. The Nitro is evil and would be my choice if I was in the market for a mid-size SUV.

[sleekism]

I wouldn't mind a Dodge Neon SRT-4 or a Dodge Ram or a Dodge Charger they really are awesome vehicle. I would buy the Avenger because it looks so good. Dodge aren't trying to be "european" they look like Dodges.

[AuFairlaneV8]

looks very similar to the new charger, just a smaller cheaper looking version. Pic above either photoshop or heavily modified charger is actually 4 door

[FPV8U]

Why couldn't they have made the Charger RHD... (And Manual!!!!)

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Why couldn't they have made the Charger RHD... (And Manual!!!!)

LOL! hahahaha! thats funny, A modern american car with a manual transmission. And lets have world peace while were at it!

[GT-E]

The Dodge Viper, Corvette Z06 and Mustang GT500 are all manual.
Pity none of these cars are released in factory RHD.
Surely it would not cost much to make cars for both sides of the road, no wonder they are all going broke.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by ZapXR6T

The Dodge Viper, Corvette Z06 and Mustang GT500 are all manual.
Pity none of these cars are released in factory RHD.
Surely it would not cost much to make cars for both sides of the road, no wonder they are all going broke.

Dodge have said they need at least 10,000 sales to meet the costs of RHD production. They reckon they can't get those numbers so it won't happen. Shame cause the Charger and Challenger are hot.

As for the Avenger it needs grunt to back up the looks, which it doesn't have. It must be embarrasing being an Avenger owner when someone comes up to tell you how tough your car looks and asks what engine its got and you have to tell him its a 4 cylinder or small V6.