2013 Dodge Avenger

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Rating7.5

Ranked #14 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$19,795 - $25,695
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Distinctive styling

Not so refined performance

No major changes

Polished V6

Less than average fuel economy

Simplistic interior layout

Cramped interior

Aggressive price tag

Lower than average trunk space

Specs & Features

$19,795

price

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

166 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

4-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.4L 4cyl FWD 4A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Dodge instantly reminds us of the incredible muscle cars and is also the maker of the most powerful people mover, the Durango Hellcat. The brand also gave the world the iconic Charger and the Challenger which are absolute starts in the car world. From the same brand, the Dodge Avenger is a mid-segment economy car introduced back in 1994 as a coupe while the sedan version arrived in 2007.

Buying Advice

The SE variant in our opinion offers the most value with a price of just $19,795. The R/T package is also a great choice for people who prioritize performance as it comes with a V6 that has enough grunt to have fun on weekends. Even though the SXT offers additional features, the SE still offers great value for people who would like an everyday car that can drive to school, the mall, and go on long drives over the weekends.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The Avenger is a sedan that has distinctive Dodge styling which makes it an interesting choice in the segment, which is flooded by foreign brands like Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, etc. In this review, we will find out whether the Avenger can provide a solid punch against the competitors – the 2013 Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima.

Features
9.0/10

The 2013 Dodge Avenger comes in three trims, namely the SE, SXT, and the R/T. The SE starts at $19,795 while the SXT and the R/T have MSRPs of $22,595 and $25,695 respectively. The base SE variant comes with ABS, traction control, air conditioning, keyless entry, AM/FM, and cruise control. This makes even the base variant a good package.

The SXT is more luxurious with leather seats, Sirius AM/Fm satellite radio, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and heated mirrors. The SXT also has dual-zone climate control at the front. The R/T feels like a different car with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 producing 283 horsepower. The top-of-the-line R/T model also has a front LCD monitor, heated seats and cushions, Bluetooth connectivity, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Trim

SE

SXT

R/T

MSRP 

$19,795

$22,595

$25,695

Key Features

ABS & Traction Control

In addition to or replaces

Base trim features with:

In addition to or replaces

Base trim features with:

 

Power windows

17” Aluminium wheels

Remote start

 

17” Steel wheels

Automatic climate control

18” Aluminium wheels

 

Manual front air conditioning

Sirius AM/FM Satellite radio

Front heated seats and cushions

 

AM/FM radio

Fog lamps

Front LCD monitor

 

Keyless entry

Heated mirrors

Bluetooth connectivity

 

Driver seat lumbar support

Leather trim

 
 

Cruise control

Electrically adjustable driver’s seats

 

We Recommend

The SE variant in our opinion offers the most value with a price of just $19,795. The R/T package is also a great choice for people who prioritize performance as it comes with a V6 that has enough grunt to have fun on weekends. Even though the SXT offers additional features, the SE still offers great value for people who would like an everyday car that can drive to school, the mall, and go on long drives over the weekends.

Engine and Performance
6.0/10

The 2013 Dodge Avenger engine is a 2.4L inline-4 engine that produces 173 horsepower at 6000 RPM and 166-pound feet of torque at 4400 RPM. The numbers definitely make the Avenger a competitive car but the 4-speed automatic transmission which comes standard is rough to use and does not perform as desired. The optional 6-speed automatic transmission is much better but still lacks refinement. The inline-4 engine also feels coarse when pushed hard, damping the experience when driving the car.

Models

2013 Dodge Avenger

2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Honda Accord

2013 Nissan Altima

MSRP

$19,795

$21,900

$21,680

$21,760

Engine

2.4L I4

2.5L I4

2.4L I4

2.5L I4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

4-speed Automatic

6-speed Automatic

6-speed manual

CVT

Power (HP @ RPM)

173 @ 6000

170 @ 5500

185 @ 6400

182 @ 6000

Torque (lb.-ft @ RPM)

166 @ 4400

170 @ 4000 

181 @ 3900

180 @ 4000

0-60 MPH (seconds)

8

8

6.1

8.4

Quarter Mile (seconds)

14.8

16.1

15.2

15.7

Top Speed (MPH)

115

118

126

129

The Dodge avenger still manages to perform well with a 0-60 mph time of 8 seconds and is decently quick as compared to the rivals. The Ford Fusion has a slightly lower horsepower rating than the Avenger while it generates more torque than the latter. The performance figures are similar for the 0-60mph sprint while the quarter-mile time is a lethargic 16.1 seconds. The Honda Accord offers the best performance here with the quickest 0-60mph and quarter-mile times along with impressive power and torque figures as well. The Nissan Altima also impresses with its power and torque figures but its CVT transmission bogs down the experience.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The 2013 Dodge Avenger gas mileage rating is perhaps the weakest area of the sedan. With a city mileage of 21 MPG and 29 MPG on the highway, the Avenger’s numbers are nowhere near the competitors. The fuel tank capacity of the Avenger is also average at 16.9-gallon.

The competition’s numbers are way better and outperform the fuel economy of the Avenger easily. Because of the average fuel tank capacity and low mileage, the range of the Avenger is nothing special as well with numbers for the highway, city, and combined being 354.9/490.1/405.6 respectively.

Models

2013 Dodge Avenger

2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Honda Accord

2013 Nissan Altima

MPG (City)

21

22

24

27

MPG (Highway)

29

34

34

38

MPG (Combined)

24

26

28

31

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

16.9

16.5

17.2

18

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

354.9/490.1/405.6

363/561/429

412.8/584.8/481.6

486/684/558

Overall, even though the Avenger does well in terms of performance, it is nowhere near its rivals when it comes to fuel economy. In comparison, the Altima provides 27 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway which is significantly more. The Honda Accord is the most fuel-efficient sedan here and also offers the best driving range numbers of 482 miles owing to its sizable gas tank. The Altima absolutely crushes the competition with its superior driving range numbers courtesy of its significantly sizable 18-gallon gas tank.

Interior
7.0/10

The 2013 Dodge Avenger interior is decent at the most. The front row has a headroom of 40 inches, shoulder room of 56.3 inches, and legroom of 42.4 inches which are great numbers in comparison. The rear has the same story with lots of headroom. The cabin feels like a nice place with contoured seats, leather trim in higher variants, and overall, nicely put together.

The problem with the Avenger’s interior is that it has plenty of cheap plastic bits all over the cabin and the all-black theme makes it look dull and cramped when compared to the rivals. 

Models

2013 Dodge Avenger

2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Honda Accord

2013 Nissan Altima

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

40/56.3/42.4

39.2/57.8/44.3

39.1/58.6/42.5

39.7/53.9/42.5

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

38.3/56/36.2

37.8/56.9/38.3

37.5/56.5.38.5

35.6/52.4/34.4

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

13.5

16

15.5

8.2

The trunk capacity of the Avenger is 13.5 cubic feet which is an average number but should be enough for family needs. The Ford Fusion offers the most cargo volume whereas the Altima offers the lowest space of 8.2 cu.-ft when it comes to cargo capacity. The Honda Accord is the most practical sedan here with a commendable amount of trunk space and a spacious cabin with great comfort levels.

Some of the key interior highlights are:

  • Cruise Control
  • Power steering
  • Front and Rear cup holders
  • Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel
  • Retained accessory power
  • Front and Rear Cupholders

How intuitive is the 2013 Dodge Avenger's infotainment unit?

The infotainment features of the 2013 Dodge Avenger are adequate for fulfilling all the entertainment and connectivity needs. It comes with AM/FM radio and USB as standard. The higher trims have Bluetooth connectivity and a hands-free interface via Bluetooth. Satellite navigation is also a feature offered on higher trim levels as an optional extra.

A Boston Acoustics premium sound system is also available on the Avenger which really makes for a better experience. The R/T also has a 6.5-inch display with twin USB ports and navigation with real-time traffic updates.

Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are:

  • Boston Acoustics premium audio system
  • AM/FM Radio
  • USB connectivity
  • Bluetooth connectivity in upper models
  • Navigation system (optional)

Exterior
7.0/10

The 2013 Dodge Avenger exterior takes some styling features from the Charger especially the rear fenders while the grill makes sure to portray it as a true Dodge. The styling really makes it look like a different car in the segment and the styling is not minimal at all with a big grille and chrome inserts.

The Avenger is not the lightest with a curb weight of 3400 pounds, but it certainly is a long car with the length being 192.6 inches which is the longest in our comparison. It is also the tallest with a height of 58.4 inches. The wheelbase of the Avenger is 108.9 inches which is right in between the competition.

Models

2013 Dodge Avenger

2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Honda Accord

2013 Nissan Altima

Curb Weight (lbs)

3400

3427

3129

3124

Length (inches)

192.6

191.7

191.4

180.9

Width (inches)

72.8

72.9

72.8

70.7

Height (inches)

58.4

58.1

57.7

55.9

Ground Clearance (inches)

5.2

5.3

5.8

5.4

Wheelbase (inches)

108.9

112.2

109.3

105.3

The Avenger is clearly the bulkiest of the lot, in fact, it also looks significantly bigger than other cars in the segment due to the way it's designed with muscular lines and curves. However, the Fusion has the longest wheelbase of all the cars here, thus, making it roomier on the inside as well. The Honda Accord has almost ideal dimensions for a perfect city car while the Nissan Altima sports the sleekest dimensions here.

Some key features of the exterior are:

  • Foglamps
  • A rear spoiler
  • Signature appearance packages
  • Chrome alloy wheels
  • Automatic headlamps

Safety
8.0/10

The 2013 Dodge Avenger secured the “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS which makes it a sedan that certainly checks the boxes for safety. Features like an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, active headrests, Traction Control, all come as standard in the Avenger. Sadly, the only thing missing is a rear-view parking camera.

Some of the key safety highlights include:

  • Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Dual front airbags
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
  • Traction control
  • Active headrests
  • Tire-Pressure Monitoring System

Final Verdict

The 2013 Dodge Avenger is a car that might be perfect for a small family or someone who is more performance-focused especially with the R/T trim which truly offers a commendable performance in the segment. However, some features like the four-speed automatic transmission and the sub-par fuel economy figures push the car towards the lower end amongst the competition. The Avenger, in the end, feels outperformed by the competition and needs a thorough refresh which can certainly make the car a near-perfect choice for all.

Trims

    SE
    $19,795 onwards
    • 17-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    SXT
    $22,595 onwards
    • 17-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Front automatic air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated mirrors
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Sirius AM/FM/Satellite
    R/T
    $25,695 onwards
    • 18-inch chrome aluminum Wheels

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,795- $25,695

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.53

Horsepower

283 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

260 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$29,015- $34,980

Gasoline

8.04

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,285- $39,240

Gasoline

8.14

303 hp @ 6800 rpm

264 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,760- $29,700

Gasoline

7.67

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,695- $33,020

Gasoline

8.41

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,900- $32,200

Gasoline

8.62

170 hp

175 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,680- $33,430

Gasoline

7.89

185 hp @ 6400 rpm

181 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,195- $27,595

Gasoline

8.08

190 hp @ 6300 rpm

179 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,250- $46,800

Gasoline

7.57

333 hp @ 6400 rpm

291 lb.-ft. @ 5100 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,250

Gasoline

8.29

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

2013 Dodge Avenger vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.8 sec17.1 sec-
    5.5 sec--
    6.3 sec14.8 sec-
    6.4 sec14.8 sec-
    7.2 sec--
    7.4 sec14.9 sec122 mph

    2013 Dodge Avenger vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      20 mpg29 mpg24 mpg16.9 gal.354.9/490.1 mi.
      27 mpg38 mpg31 mpg18 gal.486/684 mi.
      24 mpg35 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.444/647.5 mi.
      24 mpg35 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.444/647.5 mi.
      25 mpg35 mpg28 mpg17 gal.425/595 mi.
      24 mpg34 mpg28 mpg17.2 gal.412.8/584.8 mi.

      2013 Dodge Avenger vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        192.6 in.72.8 in.58.4 in.5.2 in.108.9 in.
        196.9 in.73.1 in.59.2 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        196.3 in.74.4 in.58.1 in.5.2 in.115.6 in.
        2013 Mazda 6

        Ranked #3

        193.7 in.72.4 in.57.9 in.5.1 in.109.8 in.
        193.3 in.73.2 in.57.9 in.5.4 in.112 in.
        191.7 in.72.9 in.58.1 in.6 in.112.2 in.

        2013 Dodge Avenger vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.5 cu.ft.100.2 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.
          16.4 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.165.6 cu.ft.
          65.7 cu.ft.98 cu.ft.120.1 cu.ft.
          14.2 cu.ft.95.8 cu.ft.100.2 cu.ft.
          13.3 cu.ft.100 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.118.8 cu.ft.57.4 cu.ft.

          2013 Dodge Avenger vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            83.1 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.76 ft.
            -15.8 cu.ft.-98 ft.
            75 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.75 cu.ft.-
            120.1 cu.ft.65.7 cu.ft.120.1 cu.ft.-
            165.6 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.165.6 cu.ft.-
            9.3 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.-

            2013 Dodge Avenger vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1000 lbs.1200 lbs.3400 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-4051 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1211 lbs.3402 lbs.
              -1080 lbs.3241 lbs.
              -1116 lbs.3108 lbs.
              -1100 lbs.3316 lbs.

              2013 Dodge Avenger Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              5

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              545

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              Horsepower : 173 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 9.8 sec

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              2013 Dodge Avenger User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              KK

              Kirill Krolikov

              2014 Dodge Avenger

              R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 29, 2024

              2014 Dodge avenger R/T v6 3.6l

              Pros - ["Fast and maneuverable", "Good amount of space available", "Overall a good car despite some negatives"]

              Cons - ["Some engendering decisions make no sense but just to complicate things. Biggest example is to change a battery you got to jack the car and remove front wheel to just get to it.", "Mopar parts overpriced but aftermarket parts are available pretty cheap", "Stereo system a bit on a quiet side but only if you are interested in overly loud sound. For normal use it is more than enough."]

              As a car that seems like it was made as a cross between regular road car and sport (aka charger/challenger) it is overall a good combination. It doesn't have that aggressive look as sport models do but it is a pleasant design that got a little hint of it being a sport inclined car. It is comfortable and does have adequate room. In my experience it is simple to keep up with maintenance doesn't see...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review