What took the place of the Dodge Avenger?
The Dodge Avenger, a mid-size sedan produced by Dodge, was discontinued after the 2014 model year, and there is no direct one-for-one replacement in Dodge’s current lineup.
In practice, Dodge shifted its strategy away from mid-size sedans and toward SUVs, trucks, and performance cars. The closest fit in size and market was the Dodge Charger, while the compact Dodge Dart briefly occupied a smaller-segment role before being discontinued. This reflects a broader industry trend toward crossovers and profitability rather than a direct successor to the Avenger.
Was there a direct replacement?
There was no single model introduced to replace the Avenger in Dodge’s lineup. The brand’s mid-size sedan slot effectively disappeared as Dodge refocused on other segments.
Timeline of related Dodge sedans
Before outlining the main points, here is a quick timeline of the models most often mentioned in connection with the Avenger's absence.
- 2007–2014: Dodge Avenger serves as the mid-size sedan.
- 2013–2016: Dodge Dart briefly fills the compact sedan niche but is discontinued.
- Post-2010s: Dodge emphasizes the Charger, Challenger, and SUVs like the Durango, rather than mid-size sedans.
In short, there was no direct successor; the lineup pivoted away from the mid-size sedan category.
The actual lineup shift after the Avenger
Here's how Dodge reorganized its offerings in the years following the Avenger’s discontinuation.
- The Dodge Charger remains the main four-door sedan, delivering size, practicality, and performance variants.
- The Dodge Dart was introduced to fill a smaller-segment gap but was discontinued in 2016 as Dodge shifted focus toward SUVs and high-margin vehicles.
- Other core products—such as the Durango SUV and the Challenger—became central to Dodge’s identity, further reducing emphasis on mid-size sedans.
Overall, Dodge did not appoint a single direct replacement for the Avenger; instead, the brand reoriented toward larger, more profitable vehicles and sportier offerings.
Summary
There is no current Dodge model that directly replaced the Avenger. The closest match in size was the Charger, and the compact Dart briefly filled a smaller-segment role before being retired. Since then, Dodge has prioritized SUVs and performance cars, marking a deliberate shift away from mid-size sedans.
Why was the Avenger discontinued?
The Dodge Avenger was discontinued primarily because it was causing sales cannibalism with the newer Dodge Dart and because the brand wanted to reduce model overlap with the Chrysler 200. While the Avenger sold reasonably well, its existence hurt the Dart's sales, and the company decided to eliminate the Avenger to clear the path for the Dart and focus on its midsize sedan lineup with the Chrysler 200. The model's eventual cancellation also followed a period of declining sales compared to other midsize competitors, even after a 2011 refresh.
This video explains the history of the Dodge Avenger, including the reasons for its discontinuation: 1mMarspeedYouTube · Mar 27, 2019
Reasons for discontinuation
- Product overlap: The Avenger and Dart were seen as competing products, with the Avenger often outselling the Dart and taking sales away from it.
- Focus on the Dart and Chrysler 200: To boost sales for the newer Dodge Dart and to avoid having two similar midsize sedans in the Chrysler group's lineup, the Avenger was discontinued.
- Declining sales: Although not the primary reason, the Avenger's sales lagged behind other competitors in its segment, making the decision to cut it easier.
- Platform strategy: The decision was part of a larger strategy to consolidate platforms within the company. The second-generation Chrysler 200 used the same platform as the Dart, and the Avenger was phased out as part of this consolidation.
What replaced the Dodge Avenger?
The 2014 model year marked the end of Avenger production as the mid-sized models for both the Dodge and Chrysler brands were consolidated into the new Chrysler 200 introduced for the 2015 model year while Dodge received the new compact Dart.
Are the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 the same?
When comparing the Chrysler 200's and the Dodge Avenger's specifications and ratings, the Chrysler 200 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Dodge Avenger has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency.
What car is similar to the Dodge Avenger?
The Dodge Avenger and the Toyota Camry are both mid-sized sedans that are affordable and come with the latest and greatest technological features.
