Rental Review: Dodge Avenger

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

I always snicker at Chrysler’s choice of name for this car, because there’s no avenging the sin(s) of the Sebring. The Avenger I rented this week for a trip to Cleveland was beat up inside and out and showed every one of the 37,000 miles it had already survived. With a plasticky interior that’s a step down from the Caliber and exterior styling that’s several steps down from the Charger, you’d think I plan to pour some hate on this snub-nosed and ugly little runner. But you’d be wrong - many of the things I love to complain about in rentals were right in this one. Most importantly, the switchgear was easy to find and clearly labeled and I didn’t have to struggle to keep the car in line or worry about stopping. The Avenger was screwed together tightly and aside from poor rear visibility thanks to the fugly blackout panels on the rear doors, was easy to drive with a decent powertrain (rough in idle, but better than the G5). Add in a capacious trunk and modest-but-capable handling and brakes, and you have a decent pick for the one- or two-person road trip. Looks like Rob liked the Avenger he rented last summer, too.