It is a sports coupe, after all, and people buy sporty cars for two reasons--looks and power. The 2-door Dodge Avenger already had great style and a body that drew comments and envious stares. So why would any model of Dodge Avenger ever come with just a four-cylinder engine?

Sure to make driving enthusiasts happy, the 1999 Dodge Avenger makes amends by throwing out the 4-cylinder in mid-year models and making the V6, 163-horsepower engine standard in both the base and ES versions. Previously, the V6 was only offered as an option on the base model as part of its Sport Package.

The Sports Package still exists, adding ES standard features, such as air conditioning, rear spoiler, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and power windows and locks, to the base version. Aside from some new colors and next-generation dual air bags, the standard V6 is the only major change for 1999.