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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Dodge Avenger

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Dodge Avenger

Overview

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2009 Dodge Avenger Review

By KBB.com Editors

Offering bold, muscle car-like styling combined with a comfortable ride, predictable handling and reasonable fuel economy, the 2009 Dodge Avenger is the Dodge Charger of the mid-size sedan segment. Far from a ham-fisted hunk of steel, the Avenger offers an impressive list of comfort and convenience options, such as a navigation system with real-time traffic information and a heated and cooled cupholder. The Avenger is also one of the few cars in the segment to offer all-wheel drive.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you've got a muscle-car mindset but are in the market for the balance offered by a mid-size sedan at an affordable price, the Avenger is the most NASCAR-esque option out there.

You May Not Like This Car If...

From the powertrains to the passenger cabin, the Avenger doesn't deliver the same feeling of refinement as many of its competitors.

What's New for 2009

Dark Slate Gray replaces Light Slate Gray as an interior color, while improvements in interior materials and sound deadening are added to all trims.

Driving the Avenger

Driving Impressions While the Dodge Avenger rides nicely, handles decently and conveys its occupants from here to there no worse for wear, it does it all with less refinement than the category's...

best. Acceleration isn't as effortless, upshifts aren't as smooth and highway cruising isn't quite as relaxed. To add perspective, though, the segment leaders with which the Dodge must be compared are widely considered some of the best vehicles on the road. The Avenger is indeed on par with its most like-minded competitor, the Pontiac G6. Unremarkable road manners notwithstanding, when loaded up with uconnect tunes, a rear-seat DVD system and the heated and cooled cupholder, some may find the Avenger one of the most entertaining cars in the category.

Favorite Features

uconnect tunes
This optional hard drive-based system includes navigation with real-time traffic information, MP3/WMA music and JPEG image uploading via a high-speed USB port, auxiliary audio input, voice recognition, voice message recording and playback, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity and more.

Rear-Seat Entertainment
The Avenger's available rear-seat DVD video system – a feature uncommon in the segment – includes dual headphones plus audio and gaming capability.

2009 Dodge Avenger Details

Interior

Compared to the best interiors in the segment – more and more of which are beginning to mimic the look and feel of a premium sedan's – the Avenger's passenger cabin sends out more of an entry-level vibe. On the other hand, its options list is one of the most sophisticated in the segment, with a hard-drive navigation/entertainment/communication system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a heated and cooled cupholder. In between the base cloth and available leather seating, the Avenger offers an exceptionally stain-resistant seat fabric. A fold-flat passenger seat doubles as a dinner table or desktop and, combined with the fold-flat rear seats, helps accommodate longer cargo.

Exterior

Unlike the Chrysler Sebring (that looks nothing like its Chrysler 300 big brother), the Avenger's strong rear shoulders, squarish taillamps and sloping roofline are all grafted with varying exactness from the Dodge Charger large sedan. All R/T models get a rear spoiler, chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets, fog lights and 18-inch chrome wheels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A base-equipped Avenger SE includes an AM/FM/CD/CD-MP3 sound system with auxiliary input jack, air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control, four-way adjustable steering wheel, delayed-off headlamps, beverage-cooling upper glove compartment, cloth seats and 16-inch covered steel wheels. Standard safety equipment includes front, front-side and side-curtain airbags, but not anti-lock brakes.

Optional Equipment

The highlight of the Avenger's optional equipment list is the comprehensive uconnect navigation, entertainment and communication system. Other standouts include a six-CD/DVD/MP3/SIRIUS satellite sound system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, heated and cooled cupholder, heated front seats, leather seats and a sun roof.

Under the Hood

The Avenger's base four-cylinder engine delivers highway mileage of up to 30 miles per gallon, while the range-topping 3.5-liter V6 offers 235 horsepower. The 3.5-liter benefits from a new six-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick manual-shift capability, while the other engines are matched to a traditional four-speed automatic. The electronically controlled all-wheel drive system available on R/T models operates primarily in front-wheel drive mode until extra traction is needed or anticipated. All R/T models also feature a sport-tuned suspension.

2.4-liter in-line 4
173 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
166 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30

3.5-liter V6
235 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
232 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/27

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Dodge Avenger vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Dodge Avenger Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.9

Out of 10

Based on 341 Ratings for the 2008 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

8.1/10
Reliability

8.5/10

Performance

8.2/10
Comfort

8.4/10

Styling

8.7/10

Great Car At A Great Price

By Matt (NY) on Monday, June 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 400

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great value, powerful, upgraded interior"

Cons: "None that I can currently think of"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The 2013 Dodge Avenger is a great car, especially for the price. I bought the R/T model, just picked it up a few days ago and could not be happier. The car has a ton of power, not to mention still provides solid gas mileage. I took the car on a 200 mile road trip the day after I got it and averaged 31.6 mpg on the open road. Not bad for a 283 HP V6. The car handles very well, flying around tight turns. Don't listen to the "Experts" when they say this car has too many flaws to compete in the mid-size sedan class. Leg and head room are just fine, even in the rear seats. I am 6'0" and sat in the back seat with the driver seat adjusted to when I drive and my knees weren't even touching the seat. Visibility is not as bad as advertised. The touch screen entertainment system is great and is very user friendly. Not to mention, Dodge throws in a free year of satellite radio. Overall, this is a great car, especially if you have the extra few bucks to upgrade to the R/T. It is definitely worth it. Go test drive one next time before you listen to the so called "Experts" tear apart a car which can easily compete with the Fusion, Sonata, Optima, Camry and Altima if it got the attention it deserves."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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overall not happy

By j on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 3/10
Styling: 2/10
Comfort: 3/10

Pros: "How it handles, how it looks"

Cons: "The durability (issues I have had), design flaws"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought this car brand new in 2010. I enjoy driving and using it when it works. However I have had issues with the brakes squeaking and making noise, the transmission making weird noises, the driver side window motor broke, the emergency brake light coming on for no apparant reason and at random times, and some kind of rod in the steering broke causing popping noises and a popping in the steering wheel. I have had the car in the shop at least 6 or 7 times for these issues (more than once on some issues). That is way too many times to have your car in the shop escpecially when it has had regular maintenance, been taken care of, and just barely has 40000 miles on it. Other design features I did not like are the plastic chrome ring around the shifter reflects sun in your eyes, the trunk lid/opening make it hard to get odd shaped items in there (I often find that things are just barely too long/tall/wide)and it is also sometimes hard to get things in the back seat as well, and sometimes if you get one drop of water on the seat it will make a stain. Other than that I loved how it drives and looks. However do to the issues I had I am in the process of getting rid of it."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Definitely worth the money!

By julie (CA) on Friday, May 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Virtually everything."

Cons: "The break lights looks like flowers."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought the avenger in february, and I can't be happier. This car is absolutely fantastic. It picks up speeds rapidly, does better on gas than my last car, is comfortable to drive, handles fantastically, and it looks incredible."

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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I love this car.

By Tiny (OR) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 14,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "sharp style, good quality for the price."

Cons: "only the lightness of the front end when passing."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Front end a little too light. When taking off to pass front end lifts up some and causes car to go to left and back to right. Need to keep control with steering wheel when this happens. The car is great overall. Just this one thing I believe needs to be changed."

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Warning

By IronMan (CO) on Monday, May 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"After only 2 years after the vehicle was manufactured the car has had 3 shifters. The shifter would not shift out of park, after replacing it the first time the recall finally came out and even though the car was recalled for the inability to shift out of park DODGE charged me for it! This car was my latest and last attempt to "buy American" sorry but back to HONDA I go. Oh yeah I almost forgot the motor for the window on the driver side blew out as well and at that time the car had around 75k miles on it."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Fun to drive. Killer Design. A proud American.

By Ron (MN) on Friday, May 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Fun to drive. Killer Design. A proud American."

Cons: "Weak acceleration."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This Avenger is a 2012 SXT. A roomy car for a tall guy like me which was one main reason why I bought it. Enough space also for grownups in the back seat. Ride is somewhat bumpy at low speeds on bad roads, but it pays well back at higher speeds. Surprisingly comfortable on longer roads trips where the somewhat hard seats show to be supportive when you best need it. Much better gas mileage that advertised, I am never fewer than 26, highway up to 35. The car is fairly quiet inside. Design, both exterior and interior is so cool, how could one not love it? Can only score 10/10. It is actually nice to ride a cool car, a feature not to underrate - I never thought about this before I bought the Avenger. Radio with big responsive touch screen; comes with one year Sirius XM. Good sound system. Dashboard is absolutely perfectly designed, clean, retro, and functional. Engine has a somewhat weak acceleration, this is perhaps the biggest con of the Avenger, but that doesn’t bother a laid back driver like me. If you need action when lights turn green, don’t buy it, then buy the 6-cylinder version instead. The transmissions is smooth, I barely feel its existence. All in all, nothing to complain about, everything works great. Fun to drive. I am a pleased owner, 20 000 miles now. I am an immigrant from Europe. I can’t understand how Americans have given up their heritage now driving those Camry and Civic. Be proud of American car design that once upon the time made this country so famous, take back you domains!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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See all 341 reviews