Real World Reviews: 2012 Dodge Avenger

Enter another Entry Level Sedan! 

The Avenger's crash test ratings are almost prefect scoring it a IIHS Top Safety Pick, it and doesn't look half bad either. I'm sure with first time car buyers and college students with wealthy parents the Avenger is great fit, much like the dime-a-dozen Civic. And speaking of the current Civic, I've driven it and I'd much rather have the Avenger. For one it is American, which does still sell cars believe it or not, and as with the Dodge Charger I reviewed, a lot comes standard.

While the base model starts at pennies under $19K, you may want to consider spending the extra four grand for the R/T. The Horsepower jumps from 173 to 283, and includes all the bells and whistles you'd expect in one of the Avenger's quicker brothers. Even the base model gets out of its own way, and with a little grease under your finger nails it could be a great tuner car, if you're into such things. As for reliability, I myself run a 15+ year old 2.4L four-cylinder World Engine, essentially identical to the current Avenger's smaller motor, with over 185 thousand miles on the clock that has started every day since I got it in October of 1997. 

I'm not saying this car is just for drivers aged 16-26, but it certainly seems to fit into the demographic. It's safe, it's quick, and it's not trying to be anything it's not. You can fit a dorm room worth of belongings in it, or a few friends, and blast a pretty solid stereo along the way. If you upgrade to the Uconnect system it links right to your phone for calls and music. 

The new Dodge Avenger is not exciting. Dodge is usually good at making the most of your money but unless you can catch one of these on end-of-year sale, you may want to keep looking. That said, it's not a bad car. It's actually quite a good car. It's just boring. I didn't think Dodge settled for boring anymore.

So dull Americans, or anyone looking for a safe reliable car for a spoiled child, here you go. Have fun and try to resist the urge to put LED lights under the chassis, they don't make it any faster. 

2012 Dodge Avenger As Tested:
$18,995
173HP / 166 Torques

Dodge.com