Dodge Evanger 2007 Review
In a world obsessed with political correctness and body image, Dodge is swimming against the tide and without a hint of apology. Dodge's latest "love me or hate me, I don't care" offering is the Avenger, a midsize family sedan with enough attitude and aggressive demeanor to have less snivelling competitors.
“There is no car in this segment that looks so cool,” says Chrysler Group Australia managing director Jerry Jenkins. “Finally there is a car that the consumer will not feel embarrassed to drive.”
With signature oversized crosshair grille, square headlights inspired by Ram's giant truck lineup, and a beefy rear end borrowed from the high-performance Charger, the Avenger puts its rugged road-going look to good use.
Even when it comes to pricing, Avenger isn't going to apologize. The base 2.0-liter SX five-speed manual will start at $28,290 with electronic stability control and two years of free comprehensive insurance.
The four-speed SX car costs $30,990. SXT with a 125-liter DOHC engine with 2.4 horsepower. In a segment that not too many years ago was as underpopulated as a ghost town, the base Avenger is now surrounded by plenty of decent options.
The Epica Holden and Sonata Hyundai are available from $25,990 to $28,000, while the Toyota Camry can be purchased for $6 as standard. Not too far, the outgoing Mazda29,990 is $32,490 (and sure to get even more affordable), the Subaru Liberty is $30,490, and the Honda Accord is $XNUMX.
However, as with many who speak harshly, the Avenger looks softer on the inside than would be good for its street image. There were no 2.0-liter cars at the Avenger presentation in New Zealand, and this was hardly an accidental oversight.
The 2.4-litre engine, already seen in Caliber and Chrysler's Sebring sedan, is a sensible variable-timing twin-valve unit, but its 125kW and 220Nm output is held back by being tied to an outdated four-speed automatic.
Any performance aspirations of the Avenger really should be put on hold until the 2.7-liter model arrives early next year. Not only will this engine deliver a reasonable 137kW of power and 256Nm of torque, but it will also feature Chrysler's next-generation six-speed automatic transmission.
Built on the same basic platform as the Sebring, with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear, the Avenger is more than good as a family sedan. The overall stability of the car is good, and the ride quality never approaches plush, but isolates passengers well enough from the vagaries of the motorways in average condition. The power rack and pinion steering is well-weighted and suffers neither backlash nor kickback under load.
It's not particularly direct, but it's consistent and linear, giving you confidence on tough roads.
The 2.4-litre engine, the only one available for testing at launch in New Zealand's South Island, needs some load to get the 1500kg Avenger moving. On flat roads, the 2.4-liter is easy to ride, but hills take their toll on performance. The mountains are punitive.
The interior packaging of the Avenger is good, with ample space in the front and real space for two adults and a child or small adult in the back. The plastic is hard and there's plenty of it, but the color tones are bright and cheerful, and the controls are large, clearly labeled (except for the radio controls on the back of the multifunction steering wheel) and easy to use.
The lack of a footrest for the driver is a glaring omission, and the claim that steering is both tilt and reach is laughable given the tiny telescoping range of adjustment.
Trunk capacity is impressive, only slightly spoiling its trunk opening, which is not as large as one might expect. The rear seats fold down, as does the passenger seat, for huge cargo capacity with the ability to haul long items.
And there are smart comfort touches that elevate the car above average. The refrigerated compartment at the top of the dashboard can store four 500 ml jars or bottles, while the central cup holders can cool or heat containers between 2°C and 60°C. Impressive in both vehicle classes is the suite of active and passive safety features with stability control, traction control, ABS with brake booster and six airbags including curtain airbags.
SX models come with 17-inch steel wheels, a one-CD, four-speaker audio system, air conditioning, cruise control, remote door lock, five three-point seat belts, stain-resistant fabric seats, burglar alarm, and power windows.
The SXT (only available with the 2.4-liter engine) can add 18-inch alloy wheels, cooled and heated cup holders, heated front seats, an eight-way electronic driver's seat, a multifunction steering wheel, a six-disc CD with six Boston Acoustic speakers, a trip computer and a beautiful leather trim.
