Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2010 Dodge Avenger R/T. Avenger was introduced in 1995 and replaced the Daytona. Today Avenger gets its looks from its sibling muscle cars – Charger and Challenger. For many the trip down memory lane of muscle cars is filled with images of their ‘good old days’. Those were the experimental days that made today’s cars what they are. In those ‘good old days’ most all cars were little more than buckets of bolts and gear heads relished the experiences of just keeping them running so they could look cool cruising. That was how guys had ‘fun’ in the 1950s and 1960s.
I suspect that’s why Chrysler has done so well with ‘Retro’ cars today. When I first test drove the revisited Challenger for 2008 people nearly strained their necks doing double takes as we passed on the road. But it wasn’t the old guys but the young ‘dudes’ who surprised me most with their interest. That’s why these are special cars – there is something about them that is timeless. But you know what – they just get better and you don’t have to worry about keeping them running. But when it comes to being able to relive those days we owe Chrysler a debt of gratitude for having the huevo’s to bring them back.
Parts – US/Canadian – 85%
Assembly – Sterling Heights, MI, USA
Class: – Midsize Cars
Cars: – Avenger, Caliber, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Durango Hybrid, Grand Caravan, Journey, Nitro, Ram 15,25 & 3500, Sprinter Van & Wagon and Viper.
We all rely on Horsepower as a way to identify power relative to other cars on the road. Muscle cars of old that this Chrysler Avenger reminds me of defines our love for power and influence.
The technical description of horsepower is:
As the term implies it relates to how much work a horse can do over time. So it has stuck as a measure of what machines can do relative to the horse. SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standardized how it is calculated about a hundred years ago and unless the stated horsepower is certified by the SAE, you can’t place much trust in the accuracy of the number.
DIN horsepower is the German standard. The conditions of the test vary slightly, but the required equipment on the engine and the point of measurement (flywheel) remains the same. Because the test conditions are so similar, it is safe to divide DIN horsepower by 1.0139 to arrive at SAE net. This value is so close to equal that for all but the most technical purposes DIN and SAE net are interchangeable.
General Motors was the first manufacturer to certify an engine’s power and torque ratings using a newly adopted SAEstandard (J2723), James Queen, GM Vice President, Global Engineering, announced during his keynote address at the SAE World Congress and Exhibition in April 2005. The world’s largest automaker said it planed to certify all of its engines to the voluntary standard, and is encouraging its competitors to do the same.
At the end of the day, no matter how they calculate it, we know what fast is and what isn’t just by driving the car and pushing the pedal to the metal, as they say. That validation is pretty easy and when you drive a Corvette Z06 or newer you pretty much know that is as fast as you need to go to get your heart started. Me – I almost always do a 0-60 test and if you get there in 4-5 seconds you believe the horsepower rating or rather you really don’t care how real the number is.
Wanna race for pinks?
Handling & Performance:
Parochial. Handles well but it will leave you feeling it is underpowered. Another engine option is not available.
Styling:
Improved a lot since it was introduced in ’95.
Fit and Finish:
Good.
Cost:
Top of the heap in price point that will attract a lot of buyers.
Conveniences and comfort:
Quite good.
Recognized Competition:
Dodge Avenger $20-22,000, Chevrolet Malibu $22-27,000, Ford Fusion $20-28,000, Honda Accord $21-31,000, Hyundai Sonata$19-25,000, Kia Optima $18-23,000, Mazda 6 $19-29,000, Mercury Milan $22-28,000, Mitsubishi Galant $22-24,000, Nissan Altima $20-30,000, Saturn Aura $23-27,000, Subaru Legacy $20-30,000, Suzuki Kizashi $19-27,000, Toyota Camry $20-29,000 and Volkswagen Jetta $19-25,000.
Good News:
Very well priced in class.
Bad News:
Poor rating among most reviewers who say power is sluggish and JD Powers says reliability rating is ‘mediocre’.
Standard Equipment:
2.4 liter 173 horsepower Inline 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, front side and side curtain airbags, LATCH system child safety, rear door child protection locks, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, remote keyless entry, theft deterrent system, security alarm, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, power door locks, air conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 8-way driver heated power seat, front passenger fold forward flat seat, 60/40 folding rear seat, audio with CD/DVD/MP3 & SIRIUS satellite radio – 6 speakers, power windows, fog lights and power heated mirrors / manual fold away.
Gas Stats:
$3.00/ Gal avg. May 23 ‘10
for more information.
21 City and 30 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $21,730.
