Dodge Nitro review: Looks are Everything

Dodge Nitro: Looks are Everything

By The Car Family

For more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

And http://thecarfamily.blogspot.com/

In your face styling, an attractive price, and a lengthy list of options make this SUV with attitude an interesting ride. First of all if you don’t like that snow plow grill and upright styling you aren’t going to be reading this review anyway so let’s leave opinions on looks out of this review and stick to the facts.

Number one this vehicle gets a lot of attention and is very versatile while still returning good gas mileage. You have a high seating position giving you good visibility to the front and sides, but the high back window reduces rear visibility.

Dodge has made the suspension fairly firm, but not jolty, and the brakes are adequate, but not exceptional. It feels like Dodge spent more on the styling than the handling and so you have a good vehicle for the base $20,000 (US) price, but not one as smooth as some of the competition. Of course, they don’t get the looks the Nitro does either. Indeed, this Dodge has DUB written all over it. Just add large rims and blacked out windows.

Dodge has placed the Nitro at the lower end of its Durango and Liberty lineup in terms of size, cost, and fuel mileage. You have your choice of the standard 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 or the optional 255-hp 4.0-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the base models with the upscale R/T version getting a five speed automatic. You can order all wheel or four wheel drive, but there isn’t a low speed transfer case available. Look for gas mileage around 20 mpg with little difference in town or on the highway due to the exterior shape.

Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. The more expensive models get a Load ‘n Go cargo floor that slides rearward 18 inches to form a table surface that holds up to 400 lb. It makes loading heavy objects easier and we have only seen it on the much more expensive BMW wagons before. Other major options are a navigation system, DVD entertainment, and a wireless cell phone link.

Mom’s view: Only a mother could love this face. And, to be frank, it is the face that is going to sell the Nitro. The suspension that includes an independent front set-up and a solid rear axle with stabilizers and coil springs is basic. You can get larger rims, but we have learned from past experiences that these are frequent targets of thieves and do little to improve handling on stock vehicles and add braking distances while reducing fuel mileage in around town driving and commuting.

The ride is such that you aren’t going to be alarmed going over most road surfaces, but it isn’t going to put you to sleep either. I didn’t mind it until the road became heavily pock marked when it reminded me of how important seat belts are. I recommend the two-wheel d rive model for a better ride.

The main gauges are large, easy to read and the controls uncomplicated to master, but not really ergonomically satisfying. The cabin plastic and trim are off-road in nature meaning they aren’t at all luxurious. It has an open feel, especially with the high roofline, but the cabin storage is very limited with only a small glove box and center console being significant.

Taking corners at a modest speed isn’t recommended since the rack and pinion steering is off-road vague and the body does lean a fair amount. If you just drive as a mature adult the Nitro is a good friend. If you insist on pushing it you might have to remind yourself why it is called a Nitro.

Overall, this really isn’t a bad vehicle once you learn to duck your head while entering, can live with some ergonomic irregularities, and don’t mind being stared at by men who worship at the overpriced alter of Hummer ownership. It is easy to park, has good visibility in all directions but to the rear, and was frugal for what it is.

Dad’s view: This is a 4000 pound SUV and so accelerating with base engine takes some patience, especially considering the fact that the 210 horsepower does not come on until 5200 rpm. We got about 20 mpg, which is darn good considering the block shaped front that is being forced into the wind. You can expect four to five miles per gallon less with all wheel drive and the optional 235 horsepower engine. I found the base engine adequate except going uphill with the family onboard. Look for 0 to 80 times in the mid 7 to 8 second range. The transmission is not always willing to kick down without coaxing, but when it does the response is good. Be warned that any frivolity is going to take that 20-mpg average down into the mid-teen area in a hurry.

On the road you quickly get a grip on why the Nitro is probably going to be a good seller and that is the fact that is doesn’t offer any surprises. It has good interior space, acts politely in daily use, and outside of a soft feel to the brake pedal, is a nice place to be. The three-pod gauge cluster gets your attention and is easy to read and the controls are simple to master. The interior isn’t offensive, but it isn’t a show place either. There is a
115V power outlet and useable cupholders.

You can get five adults into the Nitro and the rear seats can be folded with a 60/40-split. The back seats can also recline. I found the front bucket seats comfortable, but they could use a bit more firmness for long hauls. On the other hand for some reason the front wheel wheels are very slender making those with large shoes a bit uncomfortable, as they have to put their feet nearly under the brake pedal. There is an abundance of headroom for all, but more storage areas would have been a nice touch.

Our base model tester had 16-inch tires, but the SLT has 17-inch tires and the more expensive R/T rides on 20s. I had no problem with the smaller ties and thought they did a better job over badly pitted roads. Larger rims and tires seldom provide better ride quality and usually result in longer stopping distances and less fuel economy in mixed driving. They are better for cornering, but if the road is wet are more prone to hydroplaning. We have found ordering tires and rims that are one size larger than stock is a great way to improve vehicle behavior. Anything more is subject to vehicle dynamic reactions to a larger degress. We know people with large 20-22 inch rims that have had these stolen on several occasions as well. You must tell your insurance carrier when ever you modify your vehicle with more expensive add on from stereos to rims.

The Nitro is not a heavy-duty vehicle and if you need to tow order the optional Trailer Tow Group with better cooling and a full sized spare. You can tow 5000 pounds with a special hitch and this package. Be aware that the soft brake pedal feel may be exasperated while towing. I found the Nitro quite a good value. However, I like the Liberty better.

Working woman’s view: Safety wise the Nitro appears to do well, but make sure you always order all the safety options. The long stopping distances of large SUVS with their high front bumpers and poor handling always make this a good idea for more environmentally aware drivers. Remember that the Nitro is not light on its feet so avoidance and anticipating other driver’s actions is essential to a safe drive.

There is 32 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats and 65 with the rear seats folded flat. This places the Nitro in the same ballpark as the RAV4, but I doubt people will cross shop these two vehicles or any other crossover SUV. They are going to want the Nitro because of the way it looks. Case closed.

The SXT models have a reversible cargo floor with a molded-in tray to help provide order for smaller objects, but it does not appear to be well-made or very useful for large packages or grocery bags. The upscale SLT and R/T trim lines have the Load ‘N Go cargo floor that pulls out 18 inches to make loading heavy objects much easier. I really didn’t like the look or feel of the small plastic clamps that held these panels in place.

For some reason the high roofed Nitro has low door openings. So be prepared when entering and wearing a head covering. As well, I did not find the seat adjustments adequate, as the pedal positioning appeared to be too far away unless I moved the seat close to the steering wheel making it uncomfortable to place my arms out in the recommended 10 and 2 o’clock positions. If I had longer legs this wouldn’t have been a problem, but that is why I never played basketball in school either. While wearing even modest heels finding a comfortable position for your left leg is difficult.

As for my business sense, I cannot ignore the Nitro. It is less expensive than the Liberty and even the competition in the form of the Nissan Xterra. The RAV, and CR-X are thousands more for just a touch more performance, styling, and room. I would say that the Nissan is probably going to lose sales to the Nitro, but the others are just more roadable and the extra money they demand is made up in higher resale.

College going male’s view: You can get the Nitro with the MyGIG navigation system that integrates Satellite Radio and a Bluetooth-based UConnect cell phone system while offering a 20GB hard drive to hold music and images. The 6.5-inch screen is a good size and you can use a USB flash drive. Real time traffic reports can reroute you using the GPS. Also available is a 7-inch overhead screen for those in the backseat with remote headsets. Dodge is really doing its best to get into the technology and entertainment market and it shows. The sound system in stock form is not adequate and I highly recommend upgrading to take advantage of the potential the cave shaped interior represents.

There is plenty of rear legroom and passengers have excellent visibility as well. If you fold the split seats you get more cargo room, but it is not generous compared to others in this class. There is a small storage area under the rear floor as the spare tire is mounted under the Nitro.

My take on the Nitro is that it is a good value, but isn’t going to attract attention from the more meek. Certainly worth a test drive, but perhaps too many people aren’t even going to do this due to its snow plow looks. There loss.

Family conference: The Nitro is neither fish nor fowl. It is adequate in fuel mileage, acceleration, and braking, but offers little outside of its distinct shape to make it worthy of purchase over the much more off roadable Liberty. It is not equipped to be a true offroader and not as polished onroad as some of the competition. Its forte is cargo space, versatility, looks, and pricing. It is easy to live with and, if you like its looks, fun to own. We think it is a winner and long overdue from Dodge. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Best cars under $15,000: Mileage and Room

The Best Cars Under $15,000: Mileage and Room
By The Car Family
For more reviews go to
http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

for a list of all vehicle websites go to
http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Okay, we let a few cars in that were a tad more than $15,000 but the reality is that with some good bargaining you can get all of these cars under MSRP. On the other hand the new Toyota Corolla is due out next year and is the 800-pound gorilla in the room and cannot be ignored. Indeed, even the existing version would have done very well in our battle at the bottom of the suggest retail price ladder.

We tried to make this a test of the newer vehicles and so the Ford Focus, PT Cruiser, Chevrolet Cobalt, the Scions, and others of that ilk were left out. All of these are good vehicles, well priced, and offering a great many family amenities, but we wanted to limit ourselves to the newest kinders on the block.

Thus we tested both the Nissan Versa hatchback and sedan with manual transmission and automatic respectively. Add to that the Dodge Caliber, the Suzuki SX4, Chevrolet Aveo, the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Kia Spectra, and the Hyundai Accent. Neither the Hyundai Elantra nor was the Pontiac G5 was available for the testing. The Jeep Compass would have made our test, but the only vehicle available was priced at $21,000 even though they list just under $15,000. The Mitsubishi Lancer was also unavailable.
Where to start? Well, the Nissan Sentra was sensational with the CVT, but the price as tested pushed it close to $19,000. Is it a great car with excellent brakes, above average handling, superior gas mileage, and plenty of storage room? But you just can’t compare it to the huddled hatchbacks that make up the bulk of the under $15,000 crowd. So out it went.

Next up was the controversial Suzuki SX4 starting at $15,000 with all wheel drive. It was a great ride, but the all wheel drive unit sapped its power and fuel mileage. However, we decided to leave it in anyway because it shows how much technology you can get for the price of four-year-old Toyota Camry XLE. Besides, that Suzuki warranty is very family friendly extending to 100,000 miles.
We liked the handling of the Volkswagen Rabbit, but if you option it with anything it is over the price range. Besides, the fuel mileage and performance just weren’t up to the others even though the quality and handling were excellent. We think that Rabbit is a good car, but the pricing of our test model put it at $19,000 well loaded. As such we dropped it from the test where it would have finished mid-pack based on our emphasis on operating economy, cargo space, and value. If we wanted to run a road race we would take the Rabbit. As for fit and finish, the Rabbit would place well there, too.
To save you time here is a list of our favorites and why:
Exceptional
For versatility and price the Nissan Versa is an easy winner. It gets well over 30 mpg, costs under $13,000 and never feels small. On the down side it does not handle well and the seats catch every bit of hair and hold on to it tenaciously. The seat covers look like velour and grabs like a drunken sailor. By the way, the seats are very comfortable and the car never feels small. We must warn you not to judge this car by its looks. This is easily the car of the year for the frugal.
Second place goes to the Honda Civic. It is fun to drive, has a fold down rear seat and gives excellent fuel mileage. It ranks up there with the Mazda 3 for handling, but its manual transmission isn’t as good as the Mazda’s. It is more expensive than the Versa and you never forget you are in a small car while driving one with its low seating position and reduced side visibility.
Next was the Dodge Caliber which had a vast and trendy interior, but the large blind spots and the in your face interior were a bit much. Fun is fun, but bright red and white upholstering and painted metal interior require a more youthful slant. That being said, you aren’t going to get more car for less money. It is the best Dodge product at this time outside of their minivans/
Fourth place was the Honda Fit. The reason is simple it is just plain fun with a fine combination of handling, economy, room, and spirit. It does feel small and rough roads aren’t’ its forte. It cost considerable less than the Civic, but it less of a car. If Honda would just put their hybrid unit in the Fit it would be the best such vehicle made. As it is this is a terrific vehicle, but too closely priced to the base Civic.
The Mazda 3 is next in line for appreciation. Along with the Volkswagen Rabbit it is the best handler of the group and quite enjoyable to romp with. However, its fuel mileage isn’t up to snuff and you don’t get as much with the base model as others moves it to the fifth spot. It isn’t as much a family friendly car as a family fun car. It loves to romp, but the torque steer can get your attention in a hurry. Easily a better vehicle than the much more pricey Audi 3. The best choice is you really like to drive.
Good
A nasty spat occurred with the Suzuki SX4 based around the unfairness of comparing an all wheel drive vehicle with front wheel drive economy cars. Anyway, the result was a fifth place finish for the nicely prepared and versatile SX4. Its busy engine and aforementioned fuel mileage relegated it to this placement. If Suzuki would make this an all wheel drive model and cut the cost it would be a much stouter competitor. As it stands, it is the low cost all wheel drive champion.
Needs improvement
The Kia Spectra and Chevrolet Aveo just aren’t as much car as the others. We also believe that the resale will not be as strong. They are price cars that deliver, but they never make you feel special or offer anything other than a compact ride and feel. If you are a good shopped get the vastly better Chevrolet Cobalt that is eager to please, gives nearly as good fuel mileage and with some good bargaining can be only slightly more expensive than the small Aveo. As for the Spectra, the same could be said, as the Kia Optima is a great car with some exceptional lease deals being offered. Like the Cobalt it offers the same excellent fuel economy of the Spectra, but is more spacious and family oriented although it does cost more.
Mom’s view: I like a small car that doesn’t feel like a small car. So, it’s the Versa all the way. It just does what you ask, holds plenty of everything, and if you opt for the CVT you get exceptional drivability and easily surpass 32 mpg without having to shift. I wouldn’t get the manual transmission simply because it was so difficult to shift in a hurry and the high clutch take up made it difficult to modulate wearing shoes with just one inch heels. The interior fabric is a bit grabby and difficult to clean and the stereo volume control is a bear to operate with fingernails that haven’t been bitten down. Overall a great bargain of the car. Forget the sedan and get the hatchback even with its gawky looks. The head and legroom is remarkable and the 122 horsepower 1.8 liter engine is much more potent than one would think. Get the optional CVT and relax with the welcoming seats, good visibility and plenty of standard features. Unfortunately, the low price tag means common sense items such as anti lock brakes are options.
I liked the Suzuki, too. It was cute and comfortable. But, its 2.0 liter four cylinder engine provides just 143 horsepower to move the 2800 pounder around. Although it is eager to please and can be frisky with the five speed manual you have to work that transmission hard to get to 60 miles an hour in under ten seconds. The interior isn’t badly done and there were a number of useful storage areas, but I found it rather bland. Mind you this is a very nice car and one that would have been my first choice if it was a tad less costly and didn’t have the all wheel drive unit to hamper performance. As it now stands this is an underrated vehicle that has plenty of visual appeal and a lot of useable storage area. Quite good and certainly a strong consideration if you drive where inclement weather is a concern, the SX4 carries a warranty that is as good as it gets.
Of the others, the Honda Fit didn’t fit me, the Mazda was just too boy racer, the Dodge was too stiff legged, and the Aveo didn’t have enough perkiness. The Yaris was a disappointment from every aspect except visual appeal. Too low and too slow. Give me that Corolla.
Dad’s view: I liked the Civic, but the Honda Fit grabbed my attention. It was so easy to maneuver and the fold flat rear hatch area was simple and honest in its operation. Both vehicles offer the best fuel mileage with an easy 32-mpg with a manual transmission, but the Fit just was more to my frugal tastes. However, if I had long distances to commute the short wheelbase of the Fit would give way to the more relaxed fit of the Civic. Either way these are good value.
Call it a manly compact, but the Caliber is a whole lot of vehicle for the money. Keep to the standard 148 horsepower 1.8 liter four cylinder engine and the CVT and you are going to get 25 mpg. If you want to throw out the $15,000 or so mandate, order more powerful engines and get yourself a wicked wagon. The versatility of the Caliber is everything as the handling isn’t really up to its husky stance. If you like the look of the interior with its body colored plastic and loud color pallet, this is a very worthy buy. However, the Fit and the Versa felt more connected to the road. A good family car with a high seating position and lots of funky features such as fold down rear speakers. Fun, but not frisky.
I don’t like to kick a company when its down, but the Chevrolet Aveo isn’t the best General Motors can do. The Cobalt is much better and not that much more money. The Aveo gets good fuel mileage with about 28 mpg with the automatic, but it always feels underpowered. The 1.6 liter four cylinder has but 107 horsepower and getting to 60 miles per hour is going to take you about 11 seconds. If you have a family onboard it takes much longer. Obviously, this is a commuter car and does that job well. It looks nice, has plenty of storage spaces, and getting in and out is easy. The brakes are not up to the competition and the car is a bit noisy on the road. If you just need basic transportation consider the Aveo, if you want a car that handles and is better pay a bit more and get the very good Chevrolet Cobalt and pay the extra few dollars a month.
Let me make this as simple to understand as possible. The Yaris isn’t what Toyota is about. We were unimpressed in every way. It was small inside, the 1.5-liter engine and its 106 horsepower weren’t enough, and the whole car felt cheap. The only plus was the exceptional fuel mileage of 35 mpg in mixed driving. Buy the Scion or wait for the all-new Corolla pricing before getting involved with this Camryish looking sedan.
Working woman’s view: The Mazda has snap even though it costs you at the fuel pump. Indeed the all wheel drive Suzuki nearly returned the same fuel mileage as the Mazda with 24 for the SX4 and the Mazda giving us 25 mpg. It was the handling, looks, and personality of the Mazda that won me over. Although a bit boy racer for my tastes, the interior was well done and the engine always on call. The Mazda 3 is a lot of car for under $15,000 and the equal to the much more expensive Audi 3.
College going male’s view: The brakes on the Chevrolet Aveo were weak and the pedal feedback was soft and not reassuring. Perhaps that was because this was a very new model, but I just couldn’t help but feeling that it could have been improved. The feel of the interior controls and the way the seat backs fold down also weren’t as good as I wanted. There is no question that the Aveo is a price leader and there is also no question you get what you pay for. If you want an economical car that returns over 30 miles per gallon with the manual transmission and costs about $13,000 the Aveo is your best answer. But for me the Chevrolet Cobalt is much better. I think it is one of Chevrolet’s best vehicles. As for the Honda Fit, it just was too small for me. The Civic was terrific, but it is priced well above even the price of a base Honda Accord. My favorite was the Dodge Caliber. It had everything and was a huge bargain. There was plenty of room, great interior design, and enough engine to provide good fuel efficiency and not intrude on acceleration and performance. However, you need to get the standard transmission with the base engine. If you want an automatic get the six-cylinder engine. You’ll need it as the Caliber’s energy is drained dramatically with a full family onboard.
Second would be the Mazda 3, but only because I felt the ride was too sporty for those who use their vehicles mainly for commuting on crowded roads. It was edgy and fun in the open spaces, but in town it was tiring to drive.
Family conference: This is easily the second best category of family friendly vehicles that is expanding. The first is the cross over SUV where the Toyota RAV 4 rules. As such every car is worth considering and it is a good idea to seriously shop only you have driven each one on a rough road, in heavy traffic where visibility can be a problem, and at night. Sadly, some of these vehicles have less than terrific night lighting with low cost headlights and only a small dome light for the interior. None of these models even came close to our lighting standards set by the big Cadillac. Don’t just take these for a zip around the block. At highway speeds the engine noise can be a distraction and you need to do at least one fast lane change and fast braking test where it is safe. Since these vehicles are new they have not gone through the government safety-testing program. Thus it is best to order as many safety features as you can afford on these vehicles. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Review: Dodge Avenger: Electronic Show Place on Wheels

2007 Dodge Avenger: Electronic show place on wheels

Posted by carfamily under car buying , fuel mileage , Avenger , Car Reviews , consumer , technology , dodge , automobile , Uncategorized(edit this)No Comments

Dodge Avenger: Easy Going
By The Car Family

For more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

If ever a car was misnamed it is the Dodge Avenger. By definition avenger implies inflicting pain or harm to retaliate for real or fancied wrongs. There is nothing in this passive sedan that can come anywhere close to inflicting pain or righting a wrong. It is a calm, relaxing, vehicle that just wants to do your bidding without an assault on anyone or anything, least of all your wallet. In essence it is easy going. Priced at $19.000 and similar under the skin to its less aggressive looking sister, the Chrysler Sebring, this is clearly a model dedicated to those who are looking for an attractive and all American alternative to the Toyota Camry/Honda Accord/Ford Fusion/ Nissan Altima buyers.
What is most noteworthy about the Avenger, outside of its bargain pricing and roomy interior, is the Chill Zone. This is literally a beverage cooler in the area around the glove compartment that can hold several containers and works well. There is also the
MyGig option which is a hard drive and audio, navigation, and entertainment center that enables you to download music and even photos. No one else comes close to offering these distinct features in a vehicle in this price range.
Mom’s view: The standard 2.4-liter four lets you know it is hard at work and is noisy at all speeds. On the other hand it moves the vehicle fast enough to not be a burden on the onramp and also returns over 26 mpg. The four-speed automatic does its best to keep the engine on task, but there is no doubt that a larger engine would make it a “newer” vehicle. Personally, it they could get that Hemi engine in this chassis they would have the rebirth of the muscle car.
Of note are the seat coverings. They don’t look trendy, but are said to be soil repellant and be made of a fabric that protects from stains, orders, and is antic-micobialic. You can also get heated seats, which I always like. The heater takes a while to get going in the Avenger and the air conditioner is equally slow to respond to urgent requests. Once underway the heating and air work fine. The Avenger has LED interior lighting and it is directional, which is very useful when you drop your keys between the seats or have trouble reading a road map.
The dash and instrument are a little difficult to read with their fine fonts, but the night lighting is good. I always would like it if the side view mirror controls were lighted, too. The layout is simple and everything is easy to reach. The seats could use more padding and the color selections are a bit dark for my tastes. We didn’t get a vehicle with the My GIG audio system combined with the navigation unit, but it shouldn’t be difficult to figure out if you have done your homework.
The rear seat is fine for two adults, tight for more and is really best for youngsters. The head restraints can’t be moved which does impact on rear visibility, especially with the small mirror and high trunk. You can fold down the rear seats to expand the relatively small, 13.4-cubic-foot trunk. The seats have a 60/40-split. You can also fold down the passenger seat should you need to haul a long item.
Safetywise you have multi-stage front air bags, full side-curtain air bags, a tire pressure monitor, front-seat-mounted side air bags and optional ABS, and a stability program that works with brake assist and traction control. This feature is very worthwhile in any vehicle and a must in any family car. This feature is standard on the more expensive Avenger models.
Stopping the Dodge relies on a front disc/rear drum brakes in the base models and all discs for the upscale SXT models with the V6 and all R/T models. Our test car didn’t have great brake pedal feel, but it wasn’t offensive. I like a progressive feel and the Avenger was more of a softer initial reaction followed by an aggressive braking action.
The ride is smooth and there are plenty of interesting options to make any trip more interesting. However, the bottom line is that the interesting exterior, exceptionally roomy interior, and great fuel mileage are offset by a smallish trunk, rather inexpensive feeling seat fabrics, and soft brake feel. Is it better than the Status it replaces? No question about it, but for a little more I would go with the Dodge Charger. As it now stands, the Avenger could appeal to a young family that wants a functional sedan with a little style.
Dad’s view: I really wanted to like the Dodge Avenger more and after a week with it I began to appreciate it more. The front wheel drive sedan is rated as a midsize and comes with a four or six cylinder. I didn’t like the noisy four-cylinder engine, but I would still go with it unless I felt the need for speed. The 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder just takes a while to get up to speed, but once you are there the satisfaction of over 30 mpg on the highway offsets any negatives you might have. A flex-fuel 2.7-liter V-6 engine and an available 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a new six-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick are options. Chrysler is one of the few manufacturers offering flex fuel vehicles.
The Avenger R/T model has a more potent engine and better handling, but it costs several thousand dollars more. The choice buyers are going to have to make is whether or not to consider the Avenger a bargain priced sedan or a sporty one. It certainly looks sporty, but you need to drive both to make your decision, as the handling on the R/T is very different than the other models. I think the braking wasn’t up to the looks of the car, but is adequate for a car in this price range.
Overall, the Avenger is the best Dodge sedan of this size ever. It can be ordered in a variety of disguises and gives you a fair return on your investment. I happen to like the Dodge Caliber and Dodge Charger a lot more, but they are far different than the Avenger.
College going males’ view: The Avenger has the most unique electronic components of any car. It is a must see. First, it has a rear-seat entertainment system, which is very unusual for a car in this price range. The Saturn sedan was the only one I remember that had a similar set up. This system allows Dodge Avenger’s rear-seat passengers to watch movies listen to music or play video games using the 7-inch screen. It plays DVDs, WMAs, MP3s and audio and video CDs. Additionally, auxiliary input jacks on the faceplate show video directly from a video camera, so Avenger’s rear-seat passengers can play games from a video-game console or listen to music directly from a portable MP3 player. This is truly state of the automotive electronic art. And, when the entertainment system is not in video mode it can display information in a split screen format, with two channels. The headphones enable listeners to tap into either channel by use of the switch located on the right ear cup. And, if that isn’t enough, this feature could enable the rear seat crowd to listen to two audio casts at the same time. Don’t ask who thought of that feature and be heard through the Avenger’s stereo. The headphones are wireless.
There is also a Harman Kardon navigation system and audio unit with a built in 20GB hard drive that is truly a novelty. The MyGIG combines an entertainment and navigation audio system with a 6.5-inch display touch display panel. Combined with satellite radio you can get traffic rerouting, There are also bird’s eye and regular map viewing modes and the display panel can be turned 180 degrees to make it easier to read and reduce glare.
The system is voice activated, too, and recognizes 100,000 words and can be taught new ones. Really interesting and worth a trip to the dealership just to see it in action. This is easily the most unique audiovisual piece of equipment in any car I have tested. Where else can you see a display panel that is supposed to give you 65,000 colors?
You can also order a satellite radio connection and get a stereo that has a MP3 connection as well as holding six CD or DVD discs. The USB is based on the MP3’s connectivity and puts WMA, MP3, and JPEGs into the unit’s hard drive. The Avenger also offers Gracenote with its song, composer, and artist displays, a play list creator, voice memo recording with a microphone that it tucked into the rearview mirror. The Gracenote music file management program can hold up to 1600 songs should you plan a 100-hour trip and not want to repeat the same music.
The front radio screen can even play videos when the car is in Park, which essentially makes every lover’s lookout a drive-in theater.
As well, there is an Uconnect Hands-free Communication System that has the phone buttons in the radio control panel. This devise can hold 128 phone numbers, has call transfer, can be programmed in English, French, and Spanish, has a mute and microphone, and recognizes up to seven phones as it uses Bluetooth.
All of this is terrific to play with and enjoy, but the Avenger just didn’t light my fire. Perhaps it was the base engine’s moan at practically all speeds, but I wanted a tad more grunt and glamour. Perhaps with the more expensive optional packages such as the R/T I would have been smitten. But to me the base vehicle just wasn’t a fun place to be. As it is the Avenger is basic transportation in a nice dress and she doesn’t ask you to take her to expensive places such as gas stations very often. Fun, but not playful.
Young working woman’s view: The seating position is quite high for a sedan and the low hood gives exceptional front visibility. The high trunk and small rear view mirror make that view a little more difficult. The interior has generous room capable of even handling even an old “bee hive” hair do, but the trunk is a tad small with just over 13 cubic feet.
We always question the need for an all wheel drive system with a vehicle that does not have an abundance of power or ground clearance, but it is going to be an option for those who feel it would be of benefit. The Dodge system sends power to the front wheels until the computers detect slippage and transfer power at that time to the rear wheels. It is not a viscous-coupling system and is thus less demanding of the engine and more economical to operate.
The Avenger was also meant to be fun to drive. Unfortunately, unless you order the larger engine this car is not fun on the road. It is a good driver, but lacks the spirit under the hood. Of course, with a starting price under $19,00 and with a lot of standard features, it is certainly priced right. You even get power windows, doors and locks, an electroluminescent cluster with outside temperature display, sport steering wheel, tilt/telescoping steering column, driver seat with lumbar with manual height adjuster, AM/FM/CD radio with MP3 connectivity and play capability, an upper and lower bin in the center console, 60/40 folding rear-seat with center arm rest, rear door map pockets with bottle holders and driver’s side front-seat-back map pocket, remote keyless illuminated entry, Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer and theft alarm with the base model, according to Dodge.
No question that the Avenger has a cute look and the pricing isn’t bad either. It certainly is better to look at than the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, but it still lacks that special flavor that would push it ahead of the competition. Designed for the 30-45-years-old, married couple it was meant to be both youthful and a lifestyle vehicle. Something that is unique, well priced, and stylish.
Family conference: There is a great value, but you get what you pay for. The electronic options are marvelous, the standard features a bargain, but you have to decide whether or not you want basic transportation or a fun ride. The difference is over $5000. Either way, it is much better priced than the competition and far more interesting to look at. We recommend the bigger Dodge Charger, or our favorite, the remarkable Dodge Caliber. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html