Dodge Durango vs Dodge Avenger

More commonly known for its minivans and performance cars, Dodge is not a name one would readily associate with the family sedan market. The American automaker seeks to change that with the midsize, five-passenger Avenger.

The name “Avenger” was originally used for a sleek Dodge coupe, sold from 1995 to 2000, but this Avenger arrives for the 2008 model year with muscle car-inspired styling and assures it will stand out in a crowded parking lot of cookie-cutter sedans. It is also one of the few family sedans for this model year to offer available all-wheel drive.

In production since 2011, the Durango exits stage left following the 2025 model year. For its final run down the Detroit assembly line, Dodge cuts the lineup in half, dropping the SXT, Citadel, and SRT 392 versions while retaining the GT, R/T, and SRT Hellcat. Dodge will sell the Durango in a series of special edition models, including an R/T 20th Anniversary Edition and three “Last Call” Hellcats: Silver Bullet, Hammerhead, and Brass Monkey.

Verdict: Though the Durango is now 15 years old, it has aged remarkably well and remains a likable if flawed midsize three-row SUV. However, time waits for no vehicle, and the Dodge Durango has reached the end of its road. For now.