Midsize Cars Improve in Side Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently concluded crash tests on seven midsize sedans and discovered that while they had improved in side crash tests, they still lacked enough head protection to earn top marks in rear crash tests.

Tested were the 2008 model year Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Infiniti G35, Kia Optima, Mitsubishi Galant (which was updated for the 2009 model year on sale now), Nissan Altima and Saturn Aura.

Only the Kia Optima did not earn the top score of “good” for side impact crash tests – it received the second highest nod, “acceptable.” However, the Optima was the only car in the test to receive a “good” score in rear crash tests.

The difficulty in scoring the top rank in rear tests involves head and neck protection for those rear-end collisions that produce whiplash. The IIHS claims that those types of accidents and injuries lead to losses of $8.5 billion annually. Most vehicles need to equip active head restraints to pass this test.

The Audi A3, A4, Honda Accord, Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy – with optional stability control – earned good ratings in all tests previously and earned the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick designation for midsize cars. 

A full chart of how the cars scored is below.

Recall Alert: 2007-08 Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring

Chrysler is recalling its two new midsize sedans, the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger, due to defective electrical connectors. Nearly 181,000 2007- and 2008-model-year cars are involved in the recall, but the company says there have been no accidents involving the faulty equipment.

The bad connectors are part of the tire pressure monitoring system and can corrode and short out, leading to various electrical problems, including stalled engines, dead batteries and failing cruise control systems.

Owners will receive a notice from Chrysler regarding the problem, and dealers will fix it.

Chrysler recalling 181,000 Avengers and Sebrings (Motor Trend)

It's Official: Chrysler Cuts Four Models

Chrysler announced today it will cut four models from its lineup: The Chrysler Crossfire, Pacifica and PT Cruiser convertible, and the Dodge Magnum. The automaker also announced plans to cut some 9,000 jobs at assembly plants that produce a number of other models: the Chrysler 300 and Sebring; Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Charger and Nitro; and the Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot. Though those 11 models – as well as the regular PT Cruiser – will still be sold, expect production to be scaled back. For shoppers, that likely translates to fewer cars with massive discounts clogging showroom floors.

The decision has been coming for several weeks now, with rumors brewing that Chrysler could cut up to five models. The Crossfire and Pacifica have trailed the competition for years, but it’s a shame to see the Magnum go. With the Hemi V-8, it was one fun cruiser. If they’d asked us, we probably would have advised canning the latest Sebring instead – or at the very least taking it back to the drawing board.

Chrysler spokesman David Barnas told us 2008 would be the last year for all four models. That means in about a year’s time there should be some steep discounts to clear the last of them off the lots.

Dodge Avenger Stormtrooper Concept

• Looks like: The fleet vehicle for the Galactic Empire
• Defining characteristics: A white-out of add-ons
• Ridiculous features: Um ... it’s named after a sci-fi institution
• Chance of being mass-produced: Zero, mainly because George Lucas would sue

Earlier today we promised we wouldn’t post about the wild tuner concepts from SEMA that had zero shot of making it to production. We lied. This custom job of a Dodge Avenger is just so over the top we had to share. The company did such a good job of whiting out a regular Avenger with just enough black highlights that we think any rank-and-file “Star Wars“ geek would have to be impressed.

The lone feature we don’t understand is the “blue magic” tint to the glass. Perhaps some fanboy out there can help us out. Luckily Dodge did provide a number of photos of this homage to a galaxy far, far away.

Recall Alert: 2007-08 Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger

No, this isn’t an update of last week’s recall. Chrysler is recalling 102,042 2007-08 model year Chrysler Sebring and 2008 Dodge Avenger sedans with 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines for potentially faulty cooling fan motors. The connectors in the motor could lead to fires; there have been reported incidents, but no accidents or injuries.

This news comes on the heels of two other recent recalls by Chrysler, but the company says this year’s recall numbers aren’t unusually high.

Concerned owners can call 800-853-1403 for more information. 

UPDATE: Chrysler To Recall 102,042 Sebrings, Avengers (CNNMoney.com)

Recall Alert: 2008 Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring

Chrysler will recall 72,333 Chrysler Sebring convertibles and Dodge Avenger sedans from the 2008 model year because of faulty door latches. The front doors of the two models can become stuck in the unlock position, leading to the doors opening in situations when they shouldn’t, namely, crashes. Dealers will install additional parts to ensure that even if the primary latch does fail, the doors will not open.

In a separate recall, the company is recalling 1,158 2008 Dodge Avenger all-wheel-drive models for faulty fuel tank straps. The straps could separate from the body of the car, leading to the tank potentially loosening.

Owners can call 800-853-1403 for more information.

Chrysler Recalls 77,233 Sebring Convertibles, Avengers (Autoblog)

Nearly 300,000 Dodge, Jeep SUVs Recalled

Chrysler announced today that it’s recalling almost 300,000 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years due to potential brake problems. This includes more than 156,000 2006 and 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs, more than 90,000 2007 Jeep Wranglers and almost 50,000 2007 Dodge Nitro SUVs.

There have been 20 complaints about the SUVs’ brakes, which suffer from a delay in braking while going uphill. Chrysler will reprogram the computer that controls the antilock braking system.

The company is also recalling more than 72,000 2008 Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring convertibles due to faulty front door latches and locks. There were no reported incidents from that recall.

Notices will be mailed out in coming weeks, but owners can call 800-853-1403 for more information.

Chrysler Recalls Nearly 300,000 SUVs to Fix Brake Problem (The Detroit News)

Suburban Dad: 2008 Dodge Avenger

As a Suburban Dad, sometimes the reality is we get a second car that’s only kinda sorta a family car. We often get sedans as that second ride, because they’re mainly used as a commuter yet can still fill in during a pinch when the minivan or SUV is in the shop, being borrowed by the in-laws, whatever. It was with that in mind that I test drove the new Dodge Avenger.

My wife was succinct when she sat in the new Avenger: “It’s like sitting in a 1980s car.” And she didn’t mean that as a compliment.

I’ve been a pretty big fan of the look of the most recent Dodge sedans and coupes, especially the Challenger concept and the Charger. I like the way the Avenger looks too — I like it a lot — but the driving experience left me a little cold.

Friday Fleet Notes: 6.29.07

We have a varied sampling this week, with a hybrid SUV, an aging retro cruiser and a somewhat-rare look at a full range of trim levels for two new sedans.

2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

I like the Mariner and Ford Escape Hybrids because they use hybridized four-cylinders instead of V-6 engines like the Toyota and Lexus hybrid SUVs. As for the Saturn Vue Green Line, it may be a four-cylinder, but the transmission is conventional and the engine doesn’t use the Atkinson cycle like the Fords do, so its mileage gains aren’t as great.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Dodge Avenger

Joe Wiesenfelder just posted his full review of the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger. He tested all three available engine options and details a number of the Avenger’s innovative features. Are they enough to make the Avenger a winner in the competitive midsize sedan market? You have to read the whole thing to find out.

2008 Dodge Avenger Review

Fires Spur Chrysler Recall of 489,000 SUVs

Things aren’t going well for the Chrysler Group these days. Falling quality scores aren’t being helped by a massive recall announced Friday of more than 489,000 Jeep Liberty and Dodge Durango SUVs. The news comes after dozens of fires were reported. There were two incidents of minor burns in the Liberty and none in the Durango. Surprisingly, no accidents were caused by the problems, and the fires were caused by different mechanical problems in each vehicle — a blower motor in the Liberty and instrument circuits in the Durango.

Chrysler also issued a recall of the new Dodge Avenger due to faulty door latches, but those numbers are miniscule compared with the Durango and Liberty. The recall covers the 2004 – 06 model years for the Durango — 328,424 vehicles — and 2006 – 07 model years for the Liberty — 149,605 vehicles.

Owners can call Chrysler at (800) 853-1403 regarding the recalls, but notices won’t be sent until April for the Durango and May for the Liberty.

[Chrysler Recalls SUVs After Dozens of Reported Fires, Reuters]

Dodge Offers $500 Cash Back on All-New Avenger

Evidence of an increasingly common trend, Dodge is offering a small incentive, $500 cash back, on the brand-new Avenger midsize sedan. The Avenger went on sale last month and is already selling well, despite the fact that national advertising hasn’t begun. Ford and Mazda recently offered similar incentives on new models that also looked to be popular. Usually, incentives are used to move unpopular or slow-selling models off the lots.

The incentive is good through April 2 and is available on all Avenger trims.

Related:
Hot Deals: New Mazda CX-9, Ford Edge Get Incentives

2008 Dodge Avenger Pricing is Here

Dodge announced the starting price of its all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger sedan at the Detroit auto show last week, but today we have word on the starting price of all three trim levels, including the top-of-the-line R/T with all-wheel drive.

The base SE trim level, with its 173-hp four-cylinder engine, starts at $18,220. The middle-range SXT comes standard with the same engine and features a few more cosmetic and interior options; it starts at $19,120. A 189-hp V-6 that runs on E85 or regular gasoline is optional on the SXT. The top-of-the-line R/T comes standard with a 235-hp V-6 and six-speed automatic and will start at $22,870. Adding all-wheel drive adds an additional $2,000, bringing the price to $24,870. None of the Avenger prices include the $675 destination charge.

Ford's similarly equipped all-wheel drive V-6 Fusion SEL — the Avenger's clear competition — starts slightly less at $23,885.

The Avenger should arrive at dealerships next month.

Related:
2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Avenger R/T
Dodge Avenger Arriving in February

2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Avenger R/T

Dodge is playing it smart with the introduction of the Avenger R/T. Because most of the world has already seen the concept, which looks identical to the real thing shown here, and has read about the new Chrysler Sebring, which shares the same mechanics as the Avenger, Dodge made sure to throw in some news: a starting price and fuel economy numbers.

There will be four trim levels: SE, SXT, R/T and R/T AWD. That’s right, Dodge is offering all-wheel drive to compete with the Ford Fusion in the midsize sedan segment. It’s also giving the base SE a four-cylinder engine that gets 32 mpg on the highway — calculated according to new, stricter EPA regulations — and starting it at $18,225, plus $675 destination. It arrives at dealerships in the next couple of months.

That’s what we like to see at an auto show: Real numbers, real figures and an arrival date that’s on this year’s calendar.

Dodge Avenger Arriving in February

Dodge just announced the all-new Dodge Avenger concept in Paris a few weeks back, and now Dodge dealers have spilled the beans to The Detroit News that a production vehicle will be on sale in February 2007. That’s the shortest time we’ve ever seen between a concept car debut and the production vehicle going on sale. That said, we pointed out how close to production the concept looked in Paris, and we’d guess the production version would have to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November in time to generate buzz leading up to February sales.

The Avenger will replace the Stratus in the Dodge lineup and is based on the all-new Chrysler Sebring. While the Sebring left us flat, perhaps the Avenger will lure people in with its more aggressive looks.

[Dealers: Dodge Avenger Coming in February, The Detroit News]

Related:
Dodge Avenger Concept Unveiled
All-New 2007 Chrysler Sebring Debuts