2014 Dodge Avenger SE
Standard Features
2.4L I4 with 173 horses
30/21 MPG
4 speed automatic with overdrive
0-60 9.4 Seconds
4 speaker audio system with AM/FM and CD
AUX only input
Pros
Nice looking vehicle
Cons
Weak engine
Dated transmission
thick C pillars
no Bluetooth or USB
no sat
lacking many standard features
MSRP $20,595
no touchscreen
many others
Conclusion: The '90s called and they want their technology back
The Avenger is the smaller sibling to the Charger, yet both are FCAR's, go figure. Like it's larger sibling it looks like a sporty car, yet many minivans can get to 60 before it can. Acceleration is very whiny and due to the limited transmission, the RPM's will climb quite a bit before changing gears. It actually comes with a 4 speed transmission. I can not tell you the last car that did not have a sport mode on the transmission, even the Sienna has one.
Due to the snow and ice, I was not able to do a full road test to get an idea on how it handled. I can say the suspension is firm resulting in a firm ride. The seats are your basic cloth bucket seats with manual adjustment. Not very supportive, nor are they near comfortable.
To say it is lacking many features is an understatement. The following are either not included in the SE or are an option; compass, trip computer, driver information center, rear map lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, auto headlights, and daytime running lights.
The "multimedia center" is straight out of the '90s. Who needs a touchscreen when you can have six station presets with seek and scan capability? You don't need a display to show who is singing and what song they are singing, when they all sound the same anyway. Who needs Bluetooth, Pandora, USB or other ways to listen to your music, when you have seek and scan to find lots of new music on the FM, and if you happen to try them all, then there is AM radio and lots of strange and weird talk radio to discover.
I would avoid the Avenger at all costs, especially the SE trim, unless you are feeling nostalgic for a simpler time, like your high school days. If you happen to find a SXT trim, it will come with a few more features like heated seats and SiriusXM. If you happen to spot an Avenger with a flex fuel badge, then someone at ERAC messed up and ordered one with the 3.6L V6. If not there are better choices in the full size category, like all of them, even the Camry.
