2009 Dodge Avenger

Check out our New Dodge Avenger Inventory!!!

Summary

For 2009 the Dodge Avenger has gotten a facelift. The Avenger is a vehicle that looks as if it would be fun to drive, and in most cases it is. The Avenger is an aggressive albeit cheaper version of the sister model Dodge Charger. The Avenger offers a decently quiet ride and spacious backseat. The Avenger offers class leading crash test ratings and options that should fulfill even the most picky of driver looking for an inexpensive vehicle. However, there are alternatives that may fit your taste in the Chevy Malibu and the Nissan Altima.

2009 Dodge Avenger Full Review

Introduction

The 2009 Dodge Avenger is a spacious and relatively fuel-efficient midsize sedan. For 2009, the all-wheel-drive version of the Dodge Avenger R/T has been dropped. The SXT and R/T trims get a few more standard features including a rear spoiler, foglights, antilock brakes and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The premium convenience package for the SXT now includes heated exterior mirrors, automatic headlamps, heated cloth seats, a heated and cooled cupholder, remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic temperature control and a garage door opener. In addition, all trim levels have more sound insulation to promote a quieter ride. Later in the model year, the 2.7-liter V6 becomes a fleet-only engine option, while the R/T trim becomes available with the four cylinder engine.

For those who have an appetite for an all-American muscle car but have needs and a budget better suited to a practical family sedan, the 2009 Dodge Avenger might fill the bill. The aggressively styled Avenger apes the bigger (and more expensive) Dodge Charger with its glaring headlights and beefy rear haunches.

However, the Avenger's mechanical underpinnings -- which are identical to the Avenger's corporate sibling, the Chrysler Sebring -- are far more plebeian. But this midsize Dodge sedan offers three engine choices (including two V6s), a quiet ride and a spacious backseat. Unfortunately, the Avenger's tough-guy appearance doesn't correlate to driving enjoyment. The base four-cylinder engine is weak and unrefined, and braking is mediocre at best. Other alternatives include the well-regarded Nissan Altima and the stylish Chevrolet Malibu.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Dodge Avenger comes in three trim levels: base SE, well-equipped SXT and sporty R/T. The SE comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a cooled front storage compartment and a four-speaker audio system with a single-CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The Avenger SXT bumps the standard wheel size to 17 inches and adds a rear spoiler, foglights, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, a fold-flat passenger seat and two more speakers and a six-CD changer for the audio system. The top-of-the-line Dodge Avenger R/T comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, automatic headlights, firmer suspension tuning, single-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Options are mostly limited to the SXT and R/T. For the Avenger SXT, the premium convenience package includes many of the standard features on the R/T trim plus a heated and cooled cupholder, heated front seats and remote start. Both trims can be had with a sunroof, Bluetooth and a hard-drive-based navigation system with digital music storage.

Engine Performance and Styling

Powering the 2009 Dodge Avenger SE and SXT models is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired to a four-speed automatic transmission.

The standard powertrain on the Avenger R/T is a 3.5-liter V6 capable of 235 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque, matched to a more sophisticated six-speed automatic. All 2009 Dodge Avenger models are front-wheel drive and Dodge claims a respectable 0-60-mph time of 7.7 seconds for the 3.5-liter V6-powered R/T. With the smaller V6, an Avenger SXT takes about a second longer.

Fuel economy for the 2009 Dodge Avenger with the inline-4 rates 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. SXT models equipped with the 2.7-liter V6 achieve an estimated 19/27/22 mpg. The 3.5-liter V6-powered R/T gets an estimated 16/27/20 mpg.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Dodge Avenger includes front-seat side airbags and full-length head-curtain airbags. Antilock brakes are standard on the SXT and R/T models. All four-cylinder Avengers come with front disc and rear drum brakes; SXT models with the V6 and the R/T have four-wheel discs. Stability and traction control are available on the SXT and R/T as part of each trim's respective premium package.
In government crash tests, the Avenger earned a top five-star rating for its safety performance in head-on collisions. Side-impact tests resulted in five stars for front occupants and four stars for those in the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Avenger a score of "Good" (the best possible) in frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Interior Design and Special Features

Although the Avenger has comfortable seating and a simple control layout, it's hard to get past the mediocre quality of the interior materials. To its credit, the R/T trim features white-faced gauges, chrome trim and a two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel that give a sporty, slightly more upscale feel. The rear seat is spacious enough for two adults, although the seat-bottom cushion is a bit too low and the outboard head restraints aren't adjustable. The Avenger's trunk capacity is a bit below the segment average at 13.4 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

The four-cylinder Avenger offers good fuel economy, but it comes at the expense of performance. Acceleration is sluggish, and gear changes feel unrefined. Brakes on all trim levels are below average. On models with rear drums, the brakes fade quickly with heavy use, and although the full-disc setup on V6-equipped Avengers holds up better, stopping distances remain long for this class. Lower-line 2009 Dodge Avengers ride comfortably but are low on grip during cornering. Equally important, the six-speed automatic transmission provides quicker response than the four-speed unit.

The Avenger is certainly a decent option at its price point, but drivers may choose to opt for the more impressive Nissan Altima or Chevy Malibu. Caranddriver.com loves the fuel economy of this vehicle (read the article). Cnet.com reviews believes the Avenger a capable mid-sized sedan (read their article here). The Avenger adds a bunch of technological enhancements to the lineup for 2009 and with touches of muscle car power this vehicle is sure to please the consumer looking for a classy vehicle, at a budget.