Some people want a flashy car with huge rims, a killer sound system, tinted windows, lots of horsepower and more. Some people want the exact opposite.

The Avenger's styling is low-key, but in a muscular kind of way. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

And for those individuals who want a vehicle right-in-the-middle, there's the 2009 Dodge Avenger SXT. While it’s not an ostentatious car by any means, it does have some distinct styling features, decent horsepower and a nice set of rims. Translation: it’s a good middle-of-the-road kind of sedan!

Redesigned for the 2008 model year, the ’09 Avenger SXT only has a few minor changes in regards to standard features. Included in the SXT’s updates are standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/60R tires. Okay, so these aren’t huge rims, but they’re pretty good looking!

Pick your power: The Avenger can be ordered with a 2.4L inline-4, a 2.7L V6 or a more powerful 3.5L V6. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

What’s great about the Avenger is the ability to customize it under the hood to match your needs. There are three available engine sizes that one can choose from: First is the standard 2.4-litre four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC engine connecting through to a four-speed automatic transmission, on the SXT model. But if power is your thing, the SXT can be outfitted with an optional, flexible-fuel 2.7-litre V6 with a four-speed automatic. Then there's the 3.5-litre V6 with a six-speed automatic and manual shift mode offered for the R/T. All are front-drive, with the R/T's optional AWD no longer offered. Even with 177 horses and 166 lb-ft of torque, I felt the base Avenger needed a little bit more zing. It felt like it needed to work pretty hard to get up and go, but I have no doubt either one of the V6 options would really spice things up. I’m a horsepower kind of girl so if there is an option to upgrade, I’ll usually take it!

Weighing in at 1,572 kilos (3,465 lbs) the Avenger is a good, solid vehicle. But its heft is likely why I noticed the four-cylinder engine working a little harder to get going. That said, when it does get going, especially at highway speeds,

Chrome accents and some useful features brighten up the functional interior. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the Avenger is stable and sturdy thanks to its MacPherson strut front and independent multilink rear suspension. At slower speeds, its cornering ability is pretty good — not the best I’ve driven but it can definitely hold its own in tight turns. I wouldn’t go so far to say it's a “sporty” kind of sedan, but it's a good everyday, to-and-from work or errands vehicle.

The interior of the Avenger is comfortable enough for touring around in, but it's not what I would call fancy. In fact, it’s quite plain with only a few chrome accents here and there. But it works for this car: like the exterior, it's not an interior that I would say makes a loud statement. Yes, it has some neat angles and lines — a common thread that's seen throughout the Dodge vehicle lineup — but nothing crazily exotic. Chrome accents aside, there are some useful features offered, including a new stain repellent fabric, a new fold-flat passenger seat and a new eight-way power driver’s seat. I also enjoyed listening to the optional Sirius satellite radio ($250) on the 6-speaker stereo system. It made city driving just that much more enjoyable.

The high trunk makes parallel parking challenging, but offers a roomy 377L (13.3 cu-ft) of cargo space.  (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

What wasn’t enjoyable about city driving was parallel parking. Visibility isn’t all that great from the driver’s seat. Due to the shallow windows and higher rear end, the blind spots are more challenging to see around and the parking distances are a little harder to judge. Luckily the dead pedal was quite functional because I could prop myself up to see a little better. It’s not impossible to park with the Avenger, it’s just not that easy. But I guess a good challenge is something I’m always up for!

Filling up the SXT didn’t cost an arm and a leg, which is always a bonus. Sure, it doesn’t get hybrid-like fuel results, but with the four-cylinder engine it only uses an estimated 9.7L/100km in the city and 6.6L/100kms on the highway. That’s not bad for a five-passenger sedan with 377-litre (13.3 cu-ft) of trunk space.

Affordable, dependable and not bad looking. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

And speaking of arms and legs, it won’t cost you your appendages to buy one of these either! The base SE starts at an MSRP of $19,745, before discount. The SXT starts at $24,295 and the R/T at $27,645. Plus, the financing rates for these sedans are pretty amazing. According to Dodge's website (www.dodge.ca) you can put $0 down and finance at 0-percent for 36 or 48 months. That’s a pretty darn good deal. Throw in a 5-year 100,000 km powertrain warranty and we’re talking.

But is the mere opportunity to get a good deal reason enough to buy a car? Well, if affordable and dependable transportation is what you are looking for, why not? The 2009 Dodge Avenger SXT, while not the most exciting to drive, is a good commuter car with some neat features. I’m a sucker for a good deal!

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(AWS) Smoker's Group

(BNB) Electronic Strability Program

(WFJ) 17" Aluminum Wheels

(AYL) Hands-Free Convenience Group