1996 Dodge Avenger Review
Price Estimate: -$51 - -$80
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Dodge's sporty coupe gets a panic mode for the remote keyless entry system and a HomeLink transmitter that will open your garage door. ES models get new seat fabric, and three new colors are on the roster.
For sale near Castle Rock, CO
Vehicle overview
Nobody misses the Dodge Daytona. You will recall that the Daytona was a front-wheel drive sports coupe based on the K-Car chassis. After a decade on the market with minimal changes, Chrysler mercifully pulled the plug on the Daytona, replacing it with the Mitsubishi Galant-based Avenger sports coupe last year.
Avenger competes with the Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Monte Carlo; whereas the Daytona was marketed as an alternative to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Smaller, lighter and less powerful than the Bird or the Monte, Dodge has managed to squeeze nearly as much interior space and as much performance ability into the smoothly styled Avenger.
Based on the Mitsubishi Galant underpinnings, the Avenger comes in base and ES flavors. The base engine is the 2.0-liter four cylinder found in the Neon, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The five-speed makes the Avenger quite fun to drive, offering sprightly acceleration. Formerly available on base models only, for 1996 Dodge has included this powerteam as an option on the uplevel ES. Also new this year is a 16-inch aluminum wheel option for the base Avenger, which greatly improves the car's appearance. New on base and ES models is a panic feature that has been added to the remote keyless entry system, and a HomeLink Transmitter that opens up your garage door. Three new colors are on-board for 1996.
The ES comes standard with a 2.5-liter V6 hooked up to a four-speed automatic. No manual is available with the V6, and that's a shame. The ES is slower than the four-cylinder, five-speed model, and is woefully inadequate in comparison to the Thunderbird LX V8 and Monte Carlo Z34. To redeem the Avenger ES, Dodge has priced it between base editions of the Ford and Chevy. ES models get new seat fabrics for 1996.
Overall, the Avenger pleasantly surprises. An accommodating sporty coupe, the Avenger's only shortcoming is weak engine choices, though we've heard rumors about a 200-horsepower plus test mule sporting R/T badging. With prices for the top-of-the-line Avenger ES on par with base editions of competing products, the Avenger is a tempting piece indeed.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Colorado
$184/mo for Avenger ES
Avenger ES
vs
$156/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Dodge Avenger Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
KING OF '96
4.75 out of 5 starsWDunn2807, 05/12/2006
1996 Dodge Avenger ES 2dr Coupe
This car is my baby. My real only problem is the engine went out. Something in the cam and instead of finding the problem just had it replaced. That was a hefty $1400. And there really isn't much wrong with this car. If you want proof go and drive another car that is a '96. There you go thats all you need. For a 1996 car this thing owns the road.
My baby!!!!
5 out of 5 starsSouthsyde4eva, 03/09/2003
1996 Dodge Avenger ES 2dr Coupe
I bought my Avenger a little over a
year ago and I haven't stopped loving
her yet! I have kept regular
maintenance on her and the only repair
I've had to do was to replace the
alternator and a/c belts. If they were
to bring back the Avenger I might
consider trading mine in for a new one
but other than that---I wouldn't give
her up for anything!!!
What I Think
5 out of 5 starskobels avenger, 01/08/2008
1996 Dodge Avenger ES 2dr Coupe
On my 96' Avenger I've got 17" Riax, spoiler, graphics, cold air intake, 10" subs, 260 watt amp. I'm savin my money to get a new paint job with metalic flakes in the paint. My car hugs corners really good, and has a good top speed
Great sexy fun car
5 out of 5 starsGreat sexy car, 09/12/2008
1996 Dodge Avenger ES 2dr Coupe
Love the sleek sporty look of car; fun to drive; at 134,000 miles have little more than normal maintenance. Reliable. Well built and beefy enough to feel save on cross-country driving as well as crowded freeway driving. Bright red, decked out with spoiler, moon roof, leather interior - always gets admiring looks even tho now 12 years old.
1996 Avenger Highlights
ES
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $184/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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