The New Avengers

Click here for more pictures of the Dodge Avenger

Dodge is one of the most ambitious car makers of the moment.

In the last few years, it has launched four all-new-for-the-UK models. The Caliber hatchback, Nitro SUV and SRT-10 supercar all pack aggressive looks, the likes of which are rarely seen on European roads.

The new Avenger's looks are just as bold, and is Dodge's first saloon for European drivers.

Dodge says the Avenger has the best entry-level price among its competitors, and will appeal to buyers looking for a car to stand out from the crowd.

That's something the Avenger manages to do with ease.

There are few half measures when it comes to the car's styling. Boldness was the buzzword when it came to sketching the Avenger – which traces its roots back to a concept first shown at the 2003 Detroit motor show.

Its front is dominated by a huge pair of headlights, with Dodge's trademark 'crosshair' grille and the sides by a 'kick-up' line along the back doors. It brings to mind the classic 'Coke bottle' styling from the Mk2 Ford Cortina – another throwback to 1970s motoring.

That line, although important to tie the low front end to the higher rear appears too extreme, is likely to be the topic of debate among car buyers.

The SXT model shown in our pictures features a set of 18-inch alloys, although the lower spec SE version comes with 17-inch steel wheels with plastic trims.

After the drama of the exterior, the interior proved to be a letdown. Acres of hard grey plastic are only broken up by shiny silver plastic in the SXT guise, while the SE models have only more grey.

And despite its Mondeo-like size, the interior feels smaller than a Focus; but still manages to offer decent leg, head and shoulder room for front and rear passengers.

Likewise, the boot appears huge, but a high floor limits space to 441 litres, and a saloon bodystyle means access is limited.

The interior materials feel durable, but the fit and finish is patchy. Several pieces of trim were loose; including the bezel around the rev counter and speedo, and the roof lining appeared to sag as we could push it upwards. I even managed to cut a finger on one sharp piece of plastic on the edge of the centre console.

Having said that, the Avenger was a comfortable place to sit, and we were surrounded by a decent level of kit. All models feature an excellent Boston Acoustics MP3-ready radio with auxiliary socket to attach a separate MP3 player, air-con, electric folding wing mirrors and a chilled compartment to keep drink cans cold.

The SXT model adds heated leather front seats, and a driver's seat which moves electrically, a trip computer, temperature and compass gauge, heated wing mirrors and an extra two speakers, making a total of six. The extra £2,000 for the range topper seems good value and Dodge say around 85 per cent of Avengers will carry the SXT moniker.

Our SXT test car featured the optional MyGig sound system. Costing £1,500 extra, it combines a touch-operated 6.5-inch colour screen with a 20GB hard drive to store sat-nav maps, photos or up to 1,600 songs. When the car is stationary, it doubles up as a TV screen which can play DVDs. It even incorporates software to include information about your songs and a USB connector to download files.

Things start to look up on the road. The Volkswagen-sourced 2-litre diesel we tested pulled hard in all of the Avenger's six gears and appeared more than enough for the wide variety of roads we sampled around the Northamptonshire countryside.

Grip levels were good and there was minimal bodyroll around bends. The steering can feel vague, but the Avenger is easy to thread along a twisty road, despite feeling bigger than it actually is.

The Avenger can reach 62mph from rest in 12 seconds, before reaching its 126mph top speed, thanks to 138bhp and 229lb/ft of pulling power between 1,750 and 2,500rpm – right where it needs to be for swift overtaking.

It produces 170g/km of CO2, placing it in tax Band E, which currently costs £165, while burning an official average of one gallon of diesel per 45.6 miles.

Dodge also offer 2-litre and 2.4-litre petrol versions, producing 154bhp and 167bhp respectively. But Dodge is the first to acknowledge the diesel engine will be the most popular choice among Brit buyers.

But will it become a popular choice among buyers of cars in what the industry calls the D Segment?

Dodge says it won't but won't be drawn on the numbers it predicts to shift. It's up against some talented rivals, including the new Ford Mondeo which is winning over all who drive it, and if early photos of the Mazda 6 are anything to go by, the Avenger will find it tough going.

But the Avenger's trump card is its price tag. The range starts at £16,000 for the well-specced 2-litre SE – about the same as an entry-level 1.6 Mondeo.

Ford can't match the Avenger's keen pricing elsewhere in the range – the top spec Dodge is around the same price as a mid-range Mondeo.

Some research Dodge produced showed the Avenger to be better value than the Mazda 6 and Toyota Avensis too.

The Dodge does have its shortcomings, but buyers looking for something different – and good value – will find plenty to interest them here.

Click here for more pictures of the Dodge Avenger

Rivals

Ford Mondeo
Skoda Octavia
Kia Magentis