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Dodge has dumped the Stratus in favor of the 2008 Dodge Avenger that looks like a baby Charger. The fastback roofline, accentuated hip flanks and the reverse curve in the rear door window all mimic the Charger’s popular sibling. Even the nose, with its cross-hair grille, large headlamps and vertical lines stamped into the hood, carries hints of muscle.

The Avenger may look like a muscle car, but it is available with a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine for those who value fuel economy over performance. The four-cylinder is rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway.

The Avenger is available in SE, SXT and R/T models. Pricing starts at $18,895, and that includes items such as side-curtain airbags, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, theft alarm and a clever Chill Zone soda cooler built into the dash above the glove box.

In place of the standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, buyers can choose a flex-fuel, 189-horsepower 2.7-liter V-6 engine or, in the R/T, a 3.5-liter V-6 engine coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle with AutoStick. The R/T has 235 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive will be offered as an option later in the year. Buyers can also select vehicle stability control and a sport-tuned suspension.

The test car from Dodge’s press fleet was an SXT whose sticker price was $19,795.

The Avenger rides on a 108.9-inch wheelbase and 61.8-inch track. It is 1.2 inches wider and 4 inches taller than the outgoing Stratus. The added size not only gives more space for occupants, but also adds to its athletic stance and improves ride quality and stability.

Compared to the Stratus, the Avenger has 2.5 more inches of headroom and 1.2 inches greater shoulder room. The driver sits 2.5 inches higher than in the previous vehicle, which improves entry and exit.

The Chill Zone is a neat storage compartment above the glove box that keeps four 12-ounce beverage cans cold. The front cup holder can be heated or cooled.

The front bucket seats have good lateral support and are covered in stain-resistant cloth fabric. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat gives room for carrying long objects, and the SXT’s passenger-side front seat also folds forward to expand the cargo space so you can throw in a stepladder or long boards for those Saturday home fix-it chores.

The three instruments are arranged in a handsome pod, and their white faces glow light blue at night. The instrument panel has a low-gloss surface and a nicely grained texture. The silver center stack has a V shape that directs the eye toward the gated shift lever on the console. The center armrest slides fore and aft so that it fits drivers of various sizes.

While the test car was equipped with the standard AM/FM/CD stereo, optional audio units include the MyGig multimedia navigation, entertainment and communication system. MyGig has a 20-gigabyte hard disc that can be used to store a music library, movies, photos and voice memo recordings. MyGig can play movies on the radio screen when the vehicle is not in motion. Sirius satellite radio and a Bluetooth telephone connection system are also offered.

The four-cylinder engine, developed in concert with Hyundai and Mitsubishi, moves away from a stop with reasonable vigor. Whereas this engine feels a bit lethargic in the Caliber when it is coupled to the CVT transmission, it felt more responsive in the Avenger because it drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Avenger was comfortable on the highway because the four-cylinder engine pushed the car along easily, the cabin was quiet and the ride was smooth.

Price

The base price of the SXT test car was $19,120. Destination charges brought the sticker price to $19,795.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.