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2010 Dodge Avenger R/T Review

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Michel Deslauriers
Not great, but not bad
Ask anyone you know that is up to date in the automotive industry which manufacturer is in the most trouble. By a landslide, the answer should be Chrysler although Toyota could also be a potential answer as well. I mean, GM isn’t on a roll yet, but they’re presenting a bunch of new products, and the future looks bright. Chrysler’s crystal ball isn’t revealing much these days, even though their association with Fiat should eventually produce some results.

For the price, the Avenger is a decent mid-size sedan.

But the company says “Wait. We’ll be back on the warpath later this year.” Okay, in the meantime, who’s defending the base while they regroup? One of them is the Avenger.

Dodge’s mid-size offering, even when it was launched in 2007 as a 2008 model, was never up to the task of battling with the eternal Gods of the segment. And while everyone’s getting bigger, better, stronger, the Avenger virtually hasn’t changed.

So the automotive press will never praise the Avenger and declare it a winner. Honestly, does that make it a bad car? No.

Let’s start with what bothers us most. The Avenger’s interior fit and finish is average at best. The chrome trim that surrounds the gear lever feels flimsy. The dashtop vents are plastic snap-in bits that don’t fit seamlessly, and the cheapness hits its stride when I look at the overhead cluster where the map lights are, and see that they inserted a 4-cent plastic filler cap inside the 22-cent plastic cradle where the sunroof switch resides when equipped.

Those complaints aside, the Avenger’s dash is a model of design simplicity, which is good when meticulous craftsmanship wasn’t budgeted. It also boasts easy-to-read instruments, unfussy climate control knobs and a great sound system with MP3 file playback and USB port, which sorta makes up a little for the plasticky dash.

We also like the heated seats that offer a good level of comfort and support. And after ducking to access the back seat, we find ample room for two adults, but three across is pushing it. The Avenger didn’t try out the growth hormones that many other mid-size sedans have purchased in a dark alley.

The Avenger’s interior fit and finish is average at best.
Michel Deslauriers
Michel Deslauriers
Automotive expert
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