DODGE Avenger Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Dodge refreshed the Avenger lineup for the 2011 model-year and brought it in no less than nine trim levels, ranging from the SE to the HEAT.

After the world financial crisis, the automotive market was still shattered, and automakers tried to get back on their feet. Dodge already had the Avenger as a competitor in the mid-size sedan segment and knew that in order to keep it alive, it had to be refreshed. It was more than just a bumper and a sticker for the "Most American Made" sedan.

The car's front featured the revised grille with the cross-hair chromed trim on it and without the proverbial ram badge in the middle. Depending on the trim level, the car came fitted with a new and improved front bumper that sported a lower apron with a broad center grille flanked by a pair of side scoops for the fog lamps. From its profile, the car still featured the shoulders over the rear wheels reminded of the muscle car era. At the same time, the back of the vehicle could've been adorned with a wing on the trunk and a dual exhaust under the bumper.

Inside, the Avenger offered plenty of features that provided everything from a tilt-steering wheel to leather upholstery, a touch-screen infotainment system, and a sunroof. Its front high-bolstered bucket seats were designed mostly for speed cornering. Dodge still boasts about its racing past. That's why it was also available in an R/T (Road/Track) grade, which was the performance-oriented version.

Under the hood, Dodge installed the newly developed 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine paired as standard with a six-speed automatic. The lesser versions had to rely on a 2.4-liter inline-four powerplant mated to a four-speed automatic.

The 2007 Dodge Avenger was sold in the U.S., Europe, and other countries but it had a hard time convincing buyers. In Europe, it had one of the most fuel-efficient diesel engines on the market. But it still, didn't make it.

It was designed to look like a shrunk Dodge Charger, with the same cues on the headlights and powerful shoulders over the rear wheels. A small wing on the trunk-lid was often seen on the cars but it was just for the look. It sure looked different than other vehicles in its class, such as the Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Honda Accord or Toyota Avensis. In the U.S. its competitor list was longer, with names such as the Pontiac G6 added and others.

The idea behind the car was to build something affordable and if someone was ready to spend some extra bucks, something sporty inside a car that looked angry, but not scary. The Dodge Avenger, unlike the comics hero, wasn't so special unless it was the top-spec RT model with 3.5-liter V6 and an all-wheel-drive system. On the basic trim levels, it didn't offer anti-lock brakes, which was not a very good idea.

Inside, the layout was clean and nice, with a tilted and telescoping steering column. It had features such as navigation system and 20 Gb onboard hard-drive for music, a heated or cooled cup-holder for the front passengers, and a DVD-player for the rear seats.