The 2007 Avenger concept car is the latest offering from Dodge into the family sedan segment. The three main engine types –two of petrol and one of diesel –come in two trim levels, SE and SXT; these have been built keeping in mind those car buyers who want real value for money –be it fuel economy, durability or style. It signals a departure from the stereotype of mid size cars existing for only utility and from which not much else is to be expected. It is aimed at being what is called the D-segment, further reinforcing Dodge’s image as a sturdy, tough vehicle that can handle any condition with panache. In summary, it is a mid size sedan that goes much beyond being just that, offering the comfort of a sedan and the utility of an SUV with a dash of abundantly added muscle, while showing clear signs of being a harbinger of models to come in the future. The 2007 model is rooted in the 2003 concept that the manufacturer unveiled at the North American International Auto Show that year.

The 2007 Dodge Avenger fulfills, in many ways, what its counterpart from Chrysler, the 300 should have, in terms of noise, alacrity, and smoothness. To those car lovers and model watchers who had this plausible expectation, the Avenger delivers. It does not let down on any of these counts. The manufacturers hope that this model can take the company miles, making it a benchmark vehicle in the D-segment. This belief is borne out of the roaring success the Caliber gave it in the C-segment, which is the platform they hope to build upon.

The Dodge Avenger comes in these standard trims –the 2.0 liter, 154 hp petrol with 140 lb-ft of torque, the 2.4 liter petrol that delivers 168 hp for 162 lb-ft of torque, and the 2.0 liter, 138 hp diesel that has the best torque at 229 lb-ft. Then, there is also the 3.5 liter, six-speed automatic, which is a well-behaved buddy on a good, long ride. Acceleration is smooth, with all three 2.0 engines reaching 62 mph in around 10 seconds, while the 3.5 races to 60 mph in seven winks. The engine is designed by Volkswagen; what this means is that one can rest assured that it would have to be driven on solid rock for ages or do zillions of kilometers before it shows the first signs of exhaustion. The Volkswagen engine is ipso facto enough assurance that no matter what you want to do on your Avenger, letting you down is the remotest idea in its mind. The interior quality though, is a big letdown. Even a charitable assessment would rate the interior plastic and metal quality as inferior. It needs several coats of polish to be brought on par with even those of average quality. This stands in stark contrast to the unshakeable toughness of the engine. The brittleness of the material used disallows even such a small luxury as slamming the door. The 3.5 liter lets you down on mileage, too. Its 16/26 hwy mileage is certainly low for its class and power, which is likely to make this trim an expensive proposition.

The front bears the unmistakable hallmark of the unique Dodge finish –carved to perfection like a piece of sculpture. The sides are what can be expected of the Dodge –crisp and sharp. Huge and trendy quad headlamps couched in black housings give the Dodge just the look it deserves –wild and ferocious. Fog lamps and diamond mesh texture that surround the front fascia complement its features. While the lower fascia is spattered with two fairings, what the manufacturers have given is a vertical, stamped line running across the grille. When viewed from the side, the rear door appliqués on the sides make the car appear like it is ready for a good leap forward even when it is static. Obviously, this is a great way of making the car speak about its true quality. The rear is also well filled up, with the large tail lamps sitting neatly along the body-color spoiler. Five satin silver-painted spokes complete the charming looks of this sedan

Several features have been packed into the 2007 Avenger to make it a comfortable vehicle. The seats are comfortable by any standards, with more than enough space in the rear. Legroom is abundant, while the boot space is sprawling. The air-conditioned air-top box is cozy enough to hold no fewer than four 500 ml bottles with enough space to spare. Two cup holders are standard, as are the air conditioner, an MP3-compatible audio system with four speakers and fold-flat front passenger seat. The combined sat-nav, remote starter, trip computer which has a host of high utility displays, and hard disc-based infotainment are optional. There is a whole list of optional features that come at an extra price, such as leather trimmed seats, stability and traction control, chrome wheels and so on. However, the control is a little below average, indicating a vehicle that is not fully rounded in its qualities. The tendency for the vehicle to understeer is pronounced, making it a vehicle that is not particularly to be treasured for safety, especially while turning at high speeds.

Pick up and launch are smooth and well balanced; shifting of gears poses no problems, nor does it produce undesirable sounds. Visibility, neatly done mirrors and bright headlights augment the smooth run of the engine. The cruise control is easy, but one feature Dodge could have done away with is the bright daytime running light. This is clearly anachronistic, since most cars are reducing the brightness of this daytime light these days. Dash lights are bright though, and are a necessary feature. Suspensions stand out for their quality, and make potholes known only when you sight them. At speeds, the Avenger is quiet and smooth. It shows no shuddering sensations, mainly because of the ultra-robust Volkswagen engine.

The Avenger has been worked well for its safety aspects. Six airbags, ABS brakes and three- point seatbelts for all passengers are the standard fare, as are an alarm and immobilizer with remote central locking.