2011 Dodge Avenger

What's New for 2011

The 2011 Dodge Avenger receives a number of updates this year, including updated exterior styling, a revamped interior with higher-quality materials, added safety features and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6.

Introduction

"New and improved" is a sales pitch that has probably been around as long as the wheel. Its overuse across the ages has given it such a meaningless connotation that it drives away today's consumers. And yet in the case of the 2011 Dodge Avenger, this phrase has some merit, as Chrysler has made a big effort to improve the perceptible niceness of all its vehicles. But does this effort really make this midsize sedan more competitive in a very tough market segment?

One of our biggest complaints about the Avenger in its former life has been the second-rate execution of its interior, a by-product of cheap materials and poor build quality. The 2011 Avenger has made great strides forward in this regard thanks to an upgraded cabin, and now this Dodge is at least competitive with other midsize sedans. The overall look is still pretty generic, but thankfully the Avenger's interior doesn't immediately scream "rental car!" like it used to.

The Avenger's adequate but unrefined 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is still standard equipment for most trim levels, but the new 283-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 is noticeably more robust than the outgoing model's V6 and indeed is actually the most powerful engine in its class. Completely reworked suspension bits and steering make the Avenger more satisfying to drive as well.

There's some value here, as you get a lot of features for the money. But the reality is that while the Avenger may be improved, it's just not improved enough to really be considered a viable choice for a midsize family sedan. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord represent the most popular options, while the Ford Fusion, Mazda 6 and Nissan Altima are other models we'd recommend instead. However, it's the impressive Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima that give true credence to the "new and improved" pitch, as they've truly raised the bar for the 2011 midsize sedan market.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Dodge Avenger is a midsize sedan that is offered in five trim levels: Express, Mainstreet, Heat, R/T and Lux.

The Express comes with 17-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, cloth upholstery and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

The Avenger Mainstreet adds alloy wheels, heated outside mirrors, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power driver seat and a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio. Stepping up to the Heat model will get you a V6 engine, 18-inch wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, remote ignition, heated front seats and an upgraded stereo with a touchscreen and 30GB of digital music storage.

The sporty R/T adds automatic headlights, performance-tuned steering, a sport suspension, a rear spoiler, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a two-tone leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, leather upholstery, Bluetooth and upgraded Boston Acoustics speakers. The Lux model is similar to the Heat trim but reverts back to the four-cylinder engine and loses the rear spoiler, while it also includes chrome wheels, leather-upholstered seats and Bluetooth.

Most of the features from higher-trimmed Avengers are available on supporting models as options. Additionally, stand-alone options are available on select models and include a sunroof and a navigation system with real-time traffic.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Dodge Avenger is offered with either a four- or six-cylinder engine. The base 2.4-liter inline-4 is the only available choice for the Express and Mainstreet models and is standard on the Lux. This engine produces 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque. The Express also comes with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the Mainstreet and Lux receive a six-speed.

A 3.6-liter V6 that makes 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque is standard on the Heat and R/T models and is available as an option on the Lux. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission for this engine.

Safety

Standard safety features for all 2011 Dodge Avengers include antilock brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, hill start assist, stability control and traction control.

Interior Design and Special Features

This year, the Avenger received an interior makeover that remedies some but not all of the ills from which the previous model suffered. Most of the cabin's basic architecture remains the same, but a more contoured dash, new steering wheel, reshaped vents and additional soft-touch surfaces contribute to a markedly improved impression, so different from the previous car's econobox look.

The actual dimensions of the passenger cabin haven't changed and it gets good marks for comfort, with supportive seats and decent head- and legroom. That said, buyers who plan on filling the backseat with full-size adults on a regular basis may want to look at some of the Avenger's competitors, which offer roomier backseats. The 13.4-cubic-foot trunk is a little on the small side compared to other midsize sedans.

Driving Impressions

The mechanical changes made to the 2011 Dodge Avenger have made a noticeable improvement in the car's handling, while the recalibrated hardware makes the steering feel much more precise.

Performance with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder is still far from impressive, though we suspect it will be adequate for many buyers' needs, especially when it's mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. With 110 hp more than the four-cylinder, the new 3.6-liter V6 is by far the more entertaining option, delivering strong acceleration without a tremendous sacrifice in fuel economy.