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The 2023 Dodge Avenger is a front-wheel drive mid-size sedan marketed by Dodge.

by Mattie Borden (2023-06-20)


Soon after, America's economy slid into recession. Early '90s saw the organization wow the public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a fresh standard for big-rig-like styling. Many years later, Dodge came to be section of DaimlerChrysler, a results of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler. The merger hardly ever really worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to a personal equity firm in 2007. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came in order of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge's entries have been roundly criticized for mediocre construction and unrefined performance.

ram1500limited_2019_01.jpgTwo-tone interior color combinations were available. Inside, the changes to the inside are far more noticeable with a completely redesigned dashboard and instrument panel featuring an available 6.5-inch navigation/media center screen. The seats receive better cushioning and higher-grade upholstery. Higher-quality soft-touch plastics for dashboard, door and trim panels replace the old materials, which were criticized because of their poor fit and finish quality, in addition to being unpleasant to the touch.

Perfect for families and in a position to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan. The organization was saved from extinction in the early '80s because of government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). Much like other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slide in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the annals books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan.

Dodge's muscle car was on the basis of the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Dodge was briefly owned by way of a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. That decade also saw the launch of one of Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 2023 Dodge Avenger 425-hp Hemi V8. From there, the brand slowly evolved in to the division in charge of trucks and performance-oriented cars. The business also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles such as the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; in addition, the manufacturer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning. Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the manufacturer in American driveways through the 1960s. Best of all, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop under the hood.

The Avenger made its North American debut in 1994 for the 1995 model year as a coupe which was produced until 2000. The 2023 Dodge Avenger is a front-wheel drive, mid-size sedan that was marketed by Dodge. The model name was reintroduced to the market as a four-door sports sedan starting in 2007 for the 2008 model year. The 2014 model year marked the conclusion of Avenger production while the mid-sized models for the Dodge and Chrysler brands were consolidated into the brand new Chrysler 200 introduced for the 2015 model year while Dodge received the new compact Dart. 

Much like other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slip in the '70s because of changing tastes and increased competition. Perfect for families and in a position to seat as much as seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan. But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the real history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. The organization was saved from extinction in the early '80s because of government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit).

In the roof strength evaluation, it earns a "Good" rating, along with its head restraints and seats. In the small overlap test, the vehicle received a general acceptable rating because of marginal dummy kinematics and slight intrusion to the passenger compartment. The Dodge Avenger also sold whilst the Chrysler Sebring, and the Chrysler 200, received a general good rating by the IIHS indicating no significant injuries. In the side test, the Avenger earns a "Good" rating, however, rib fractures would be feasible for the driver.

Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is. But make no mistake; Dodge remains considered Chrysler's performance division as a result of cars like the Challenger and Charger. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it a different Ram brand. More recent years have observed Dodge focus on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries.