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The Dodge Avenger replaced all models of the old Dodge Stratus cab-forward front-drive sedan for 2008, with an all-new chassis, body, suspension, and powertrain lineup. The Avenger competes at the heart of the American market with the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Pontiac G6, among others.

The Dodge Avenger shares all of its major mechanical systems and components with the Chrysler Sebring, although it is by no means just a clone. The Avenger chassis shared with the Sebring was designed from the beginning for a convertible as well as a sedan, and that means that it is extraordinarily stiff and strong compared to the old Stratus sedans, 1.7 times stiffer in twisting and 1.6 times stronger in bending. It's also designed to meet all of the coming crash regulations aimed at pedestrian safety and get multiple five-star crash ratings, too.

The sibling entry, the Chrysler Sebring, although it starts at about the same price, is a rounder, more traditional design for a different customer. The Dodge Avenger reaches out to those buyers looking for something different in a huge part of the market that offers a lot of sameness: front-wheel drive, four-cylinder or V6 engines, around 100 cubic feet of interior space, navigation, satellite radio, and lots of interior storage spaces. Almost 2 million cars are sold each year in this, the largest single passenger-car market segment, and very few of them have the combination of style, features, and options that the Dodge Avenger offers.

Those features include a drink cooler in the dashboard, an optional beverage cooling/heating system in the center console, an optional rear-seat entertainment system in a sedan body (most are found in minivans and SUVs), and a 20-gigabyte hard-drive option for navigation, audio, and photo storage.

The proposition here is a simple one: a scaled-down Dodge Charger four-door coupe for those family sedan buyers who would really like to have a car that looks like a big Charger, but operate their lives on a four-cylinder or V6 budget and sensibility, not a 5.7-liter Hemi budget.

The Dodge Avenger SXT come with the 2.4-liter VVT inline four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmissions. The Avenger R/T is optionally available with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a six-speed overdrive automatic transaxle. The Dodge Avenger is front-wheel drive.

For 2009, the SE trim is dropped from the lineup and effectively replaced by the SXT, which now features the same standard equipment as the SE in 2008 - including rear drum brakes and a lack of ABS. The 2009 SXT is available only with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, while last year's 2.7-liter V6 is not available anymore.

Replacing the 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT trim, the 2009 R/T now comes standard with the 4-cylinder and offers the V6 as an option. All-wheel-drive is not available for 2009.

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The Dodge Avenger comes in two models: the base SXT, replacing last year's SE, and the R/T. Both trims are powered by a 2.4-liter Inline-4 engine producing 173 hp. A 235 hp V6 is available for R/T models.

The Dodge Avenger SXT ($20,515) comes standard with cloth seats; cruise control; air conditioning; six-way manual driver's seat; power windows, door locks, and mirrors; keyfob remote keyless entry; SIRIUS satellite radio; tilting and telescoping sport steering-wheel; a Tire Pressure Monitoring Stystem; six airbags; and a refrigerated two-level Chill Zone glove box. ABS is not available.

The Dodge Avenger R/T ($22,050) adds rear disc brakes, ABS, fog lights, heated door mirrors, chrome interior door handles, front reading lights, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, leather shift knob and steering-wheel, eight-way power driver's seat, an upgraded audio system with six-disc changer and 6 speakers; and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Option packages for the R/T include the Power Sun Roof Group including rear passenger assist handles and reading lights. The Navigation & Sound Group adds uconnect gps, uconnect phone, and a Boston Acoustics 276-watt premium sound system. The Premium Convenience Group includes an air conditioned cupholder, automatic headlamps, single-zone automatic temperature control, automatic-dimming rearview mirror, windows down on key fob, one-touch open/close power windows, premium headliner, EVIC, travel computer, compass and TPM display, HomeLink universal home security system transceiver, cargo organizer, and Remote vehicle starter. Also optional on the R/T is electonic stability control (ESC).

The R/T is also available with a V6 engine ($24,995) and a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 includes premium cloth seat upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels.