The 2012 Dodge Avenger is available with two engines: the 173
horsepower 4-cylinder and the 283 horsepower Pentastar V6. Getting the 3.6L Pentastar V6 has typically
meant picking one of the more expensive trimlines but that has changed with yesterday’s
introduced of the 2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6 – an entry level Avenger packing
Pentastar power.
The Dodge Avenger SE carries a base price of $18,995 and
that includes the 2.4L 4-cylinder with 173 horsepower.To get the Pentastar V6, buyers previously
had to skip the Avenger SE and SXT, picking the SXT Plus with a price of $23,995
for the more powerful engine option but the new Avenger SE V6 package offers
the 283 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque combined with the amenities of the
entry level Avenger for just $21,495.
For that price, 2012 Avenger buyers from
now on can consider either the 4-cylinder powered SXT trimline with more “goodies”
or the more powerful SE V6 with less gadgets but a significant increase in both
horsepower and torque.
In addition to adding the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 2012 Dodge
Avenger SE V6 package adds a set of 18″ aluminum wheels, a body colored rear
spoiler and the dual exhaust package with bright chrome exhaust tips that is
included with other Pentastar powered packages. All included, the Avenger SE V6 package becomes, dollar for dollar, the
most powerful midsized sedan in the American industry.
2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6 – 283hp – $21,495
2012 Honda Accord EX V6 – 271hp – $27,280
2012 Nissan Altima 3.5 SR – 270hp- $25,570
2012 Toyota Camry SE – 268hp – $27,400
2012 Ford Fusion Sport – 263hp – $27,225
2012 Chevrolet Malibu 3LT – 252hp – $28,300
For more on the 2012 Dodge Avenger, check out NewCarTestDrive for all of your information on the newest models!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
The 2012 Dodge Avenger is available with two engines: the 173