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July 30, 2010
Some interior features I liked were the swivelling, overhead LED reading lights, the air conditioned upper glovebox on the passenger side with space for four pop cans; the USB and auxiliary jacks near the radio, the sliding centre armrest and dual level storage bin with 12 volt power outlet; and the standard fold-flat front passenger seatback.
   2010 Dodge Avenger R/T. Click image to enlarge |
I do miss the cupholders in the centre console that could be heated or cooled – that option was discontinued this year.
My test car had the optional Media Centre 430 CD/DVD/MP3 radio with the 6.5-inch touch-screen, 30-GB hard drive (up from 20-GB) with 6,700 song capacity allowing storage of music, photos, videos and other media – you can input them using the auxiliary jack or USB port. The CD/DVD player is located behind the screen which flips up with the press of a button. This excellent sound system includes a premium Boston Acoustics six-speaker sound system with 276 watts and a six-channel amplifier. An optional 730 media system ($1,300) includes a GPS navigation system.
My car also had the Sirius Satellite Radio system with 120 commercial-free channels. Inevitably, I end up listening to one of its many jazz, classics or popular standards stations, or sometimes the BBC world news. It’s nice to have that kind of choice. New Avengers come with a one-year free subscription.
Part of the same package is the U-connect hands-free phone with voice activation that links with your Bluetooth cell phone so you can make and receive calls on the fly without having to stop the car – gotta have this nowadays.
For passenger safety, front, side and curtain airbags are standard in the Avenger.
For carrying extra cargo, the split rear seatbacks flip down individually, however they aren’t lockable to deter thieves from breaking into the cabin and accessing the trunk. The trunk can be opened remotely with the key and the trunk is fully lined. It’s spacious at 385 litres (13.6 cu. ft.), but the top of the trunk has protrusions that limit the height of items to be transported.
With 235 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, the Avenger R/T is quick off the line and will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, and from 80 to 120 km/h in 6.6 seconds, according to acceleration tests conducted by Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). That’s comparable with other V6 sedans in its class and more than quick enough for a sub-$30,000 family sedan.
 2010 Dodge Avenger R/T. Click image to enlarge |
As mentioned, the 3.5 V6 is also a smooth, quiet engine that motors comfortably along on the highway at about 1,700 r.p.m. at 100 km/h in sixth gear. Official fuel economy numbers are 12.9 L/100km (22 mpg) City; 7.4 L/100 km (38 mpg) Highway, and in my week of driving, I averaged about 12 L/100 km (24 mpg) with more city than highway driving.
Equipped with standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, the Avenger R/T will brake from 100 km/h in 43.5 metres (142.7 ft.) according to AJAC, slightly more than the Malibu, Fusion and Camry, but within acceptable standards.
The V6 engine has enough torque to spin the front tires, so care should be taken in winter. The optional traction control and stability control is a highly recommended option.
The Avenger’s six-speed automatic shifts are well matched to the engine providing a non-intrusive experience, and there’s a choice of manual shifts when a more aggressive driving style is warranted or you just want to hold it in gear.
Though it has a “sport-tuned” suspension, the Avenger R/T’s front MacPherson struts with isolated front cradle and independent rear multilinks with isolated rear crossmember provide a comfortable, well-damped ride that soaks up road imperfections gracefully even with its low profile 215/55R-18 inch all-season performance radials.
 2010 Dodge Avenger R/T. Click image to enlarge |
Its power assisted rack and pinion steering has a surprisingly quick turning response which makes for a sportier (though not exciting) driving experience, and the car tracks straight at freeway speeds. However, the car is too heavy to be “nimble”.
Visibility to the front and sides is good but the “C” pillar (behind the rear side window) is a bit of a blind spot and the high trunklid with spoiler obscures the front of other cars when backing into a parking space. That’s a typical problem with sedans today.
The Avenger has received top marks in crash tests: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a Good rating in offset frontal, side and roof tests, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it five stars in frontal crash tests.
With its roomy, comfortable cabin, quiet, powerful performance, strong safety features, and a good warranty, the Avenger is a surprisingly attractive and somewhat underrated competitor in the mid-size family sedan category.
The V6-powered Dodge Avenger R/T is a roomy, comfortable and powerful family sedan with a reduced price for 2010 that makes it a good value for the money.
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- Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Dodge Avenger
- Used Vehicle Review: Dodge Avenger, 1995-1998
- Test Drive: 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT four-cylinder
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