Test Drive Dodge Avenger since 2007 coupe

Antipodes

Dodge Avenger. Price: from $ 30115. On sale: since 2007
Chrysler sebring. Price: from $ 36240. On sale: since 2006
Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger is the same platform, identical engines, similar suspension. Even born to the light they are on the same conveyor. And yet they are different, and not only externally
Chrysler sebring
Many elements of the design and design, which are now present on sebring, were first tested on Chrysler Airflite Concept. And although the latter was a coupe, nevertheless some ideas were not bad and on the serial sedan. In particular, SEBING got a radiator grille, front optics and a massive rear stand.
Driving
It is practically no different from what the Avenger demonstrates, unless the suspension feel softer, in connection with which it is comfortable.
Salon
It seems less, but it is just sensations, the dimensions of the cars are almost the same.
Comfort
The true American is everything and even more. Example? Yes, at least a cupboard with cooling or heating function. What is it, eh?
Security
At an acceptable level. In any case, unprotected you do not feel.
Price
Adequate.

Dodge Avenger.
Dividing the platform with Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger is still not a direct clone. However, it is quite difficult to call him a direct competitor. In the interior decoration there are much less high-quality materials, and the set of options is not so generous. However, and the price of him, in contrast to sebring, is not so high.
Driving
Surprisingly good on the track, and there is no special problems in the city, except that the suspension seemed to us unnecessarily tough.
Salon
Spacious and sufficiently convenient, perplexity, as before, causes only a huge amount of hard plastic.
Comfort
It is quite suitable for long-distance trips, except for the seat, contrary to the appropriate opinion, here do not resemble a homemade sofa.
Security
Not bad is equipped with both passive and active means.
Price
Intelligent.
With all the external difference, these cars have one element that unmistakably indicates their overall origin. This is a roof. Otherwise, they really differ much. Chrysler, appeared on the market a little earlier, is an example of a pure American car in the understanding of which we are accustomed. Well, or almost in that, because to truly American sizes, it clearly does not reach, but the rest is one hundred percent Yankees. It is also simple as a hot dog, with the only difference that instead of the mustard, all this simplicity is generously competed by different kind of design solutions. It is not necessary to walk far for example, it is enough to look at the combed hood or check out the powerful stepper, stretching from the wing to the wing. The latter became a kind of accelerator, because it added a silhouette of a car with greater dynamics. It almost exactly repeats the postponement, which Chiracleovtsy in 2003 endowed their concept airflite. True, there she looked more harmoniously, due to the fact that the concept was a coupe, and sebring still sedan. Although in the last, especially if you look at the car in three quarters, it is hard to believe. It is painfully insignificant, in relation to the whole car, it seems a trunk. And nevertheless it is.
But Dodge Avenger in this respect is a typical sedan: the trunk lid is well distinguishable from any angle. Although, perhaps, in his appearance more from the truck than from a passenger car. It is painfully chopped and simple it. But this does not interfere with the Avenger to be memorable, and on the background of Sebring, he also looks much more interesting. In any case, once seeing, you will not be confused with anything else with anything else. How not to forget and then disappointment, which will visit you, will be in the cabin of this car. Plastic, plastic and plastic again. In this car, he is everywhere, to which neither touch, for anything, anything does not give some low-cost and contrived practicality. It is clear that we wash off the suction hamburger or spilled cola from such materials is easier, but it is impossible to like the car's countertop salon with a kitchen countertop. There must be something spiritual soft to the touch the instrument panel or the door panels tightened by at least a cloth. After all, it is, in the end, the American car is not Chinese, not Korean, but American. There is also a feeling that the practicality and low cost of steel for Americans is synonymous, and now this is a delusion they, like many other, sometimes fisculated truths, impose peace.
And sorry, because otherwise it's the rest of this car, in general, and not to complain. The place is plentiful, the ergonomics is balanced. Only the algorithm for the work of the steering switches is somewhat unusual. As before, everything was made on them and everything, even light in the cabin turns on one of them. It is not bad for the interior itself. Seats for storing small things abound. One gloves only two pieces. Yes, and there are no problems in the salon. There are four people comfortable with comfort without difficulty. Now, if still the seats were slightly softer.
In sebring, they are also not very friendly to the saddle, and this rigidity, especially the backs, feel the spine, it is worth just getting driving a car. But, unlike Avenger, there is everything that we are accustomed to during communication with expensive cars. It is soft to the touch panel of instruments, and comfortable door handles, and high-quality music, and even what else about five years ago it was possible to dream. We are talking about an active cupboard, which, depending on the need, can either warm up the contents of the vessel, or cool. Yes, and noise insulation in a more expensive sebring much better than in Avenger. In any case, the pebbles flying from under wheels in it is not so clear as in Dodge. And the noise of the motor is not so phoney. In general, in sebring everything is fair.
By the nature of Avenger seemed more factory. But, most likely, such an impression is caused by a more meager Shumkov. After all, it is no secret that the more distinct the motor is heard, the more dynamic it seems the car. Meanwhile, according to the characteristics, these cars practically do not differ from each other. Is that sebring just above the maximum speed. Due to what? Apparently, due to more acceptable from the point of view of the aerodynamics of the form, because the engines and the boxes on the machines are identical. In both cases, this is a 175-strong 2.4-liter motor and a 4-step automaton. It is necessary to recognize such a power tandem quite well-selected, because by either the engine, nor to the operation of the gearbox, in the first car, there were no complaints about the test. Yes, and the cars were managed not bad, no worse than European classmates.
Finally, we note that, unlike sebring, Avenger to our market comes with a 2.0-liter engine and a mechanical 5-speed gearbox.
Our verdict
Despite the fact that both cars on the market have been present for more than a year, still they did not cause attractive attention from consumers. Chrysler sebring last year was sold about three hundred pieces, Dodge Avenger is altogether less than a hundred. Meanwhile, in our opinion, these cars deserve much more attention to their personnel. In any case, according to its ride characteristics, that sebring is that Avenger is not much inferior to the more popular with Europeans and Japanese.
 
Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [May 2008]