Dodge Avenger

The Dodge Avenger, discontinued in the spring of 2014, is a mid-size four-door sedan that might well be invisible if it weren't for its appearance in rental-car fleets across the country. The Dodge Avenger, discontinued in the spring of 2014, is a mid-size four-door sedan that might well be invisible if it weren't for its appearance in rental-car fleets across the country.

With an all-new Chrysler 200 launched for 2015, the Avenger lost its twin under the skin, and so it's been quietly retired and won't be replaced immediately--if ever. With an all-new Chrysler 200 launched for 2015, the Avenger lost its twin under the skin, and so it's been quietly retired and won't be replaced immediately--if ever.

In its later years, the Avenger was clearly uncompetitive with perennial segment leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, not to mention the hard-charging and ambitious second-tier entrants In its later years, the Avenger was clearly uncompetitive with perennial segment leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, not to mention the hard-charging and ambitious second-tier entrants

While its engine and transmission options were updated, and it received a very mild mid-cycle refresh to its styling, While its engine and transmission options were updated, and it received a very mild mid-cycle refresh to its styling,

The Avenger's bold styling camouflaged an unremarkable sedan that struggles to compete with more refined competitors. The Avenger's bold styling camouflaged an unremarkable sedan that struggles to compete with more refined competitors.

Historically, materials and build quality were an issue for the Avenger, and its safety ratings always lagged the competition. Historically, materials and build quality were an issue for the Avenger, and its safety ratings always lagged the competition.

The Dodge Avenger made its 2008 debut with a choice of three engines: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder came with base cars, while higher-priced versions could be outfitted The Dodge Avenger made its 2008 debut with a choice of three engines: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder came with base cars, while higher-priced versions could be outfitted

All-wheel drive was offered for a short time, but has been deleted as Avenger sales have dropped. The Avenger's cabin is spacious, and its chunky styling has some appeal, All-wheel drive was offered for a short time, but has been deleted as Avenger sales have dropped. The Avenger's cabin is spacious, and its chunky styling has some appeal,

The 173-hp four is among the least pleasing four-cylinders in the Avenger's class, which includes the Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Jetta and the Hyundai Sonata. The 173-hp four is among the least pleasing four-cylinders in the Avenger's class, which includes the Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Jetta and the Hyundai Sonata.

The smaller V-6 engine has been dropped, leaving the front-drive Avenger with its top engine choice as the 235-hp V-6. The smaller V-6 engine has been dropped, leaving the front-drive Avenger with its top engine choice as the 235-hp V-6.

The Avenger was carried over for two more model years, 2013 and 2014, with only a few minor changes and a few new options, including an enhanced Rallye Appearance package The Avenger was carried over for two more model years, 2013 and 2014, with only a few minor changes and a few new options, including an enhanced Rallye Appearance package

That car, sold from 1995 to 2000, offered handsome lines that disguised its origins as a Mitsubishi Galant--or, in Chrysler terms, a Dodge Stratus sedan. That car, sold from 1995 to 2000, offered handsome lines that disguised its origins as a Mitsubishi Galant--or, in Chrysler terms, a Dodge Stratus sedan.