The new 2009 Dodge Avenger is a piecemeal upgrade from the 2008 version of the same car. Though the wonderfully punchy styling remains and certain refinements are apparent, the 2009 Dodge Avenger remains a silent witness to dodges failure to build a competitive midsized sedan.

Don’t get me wrong, the Avenger is extremely competitively priced, but a careful buyer can certainly do better for their money in this hotly contested market. This is Altima, Accord and Camry country, and try as Dodge might, they won’t fit in until they shake down that loose handling and noisy engine.

Under the bonnet, the 173-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is everything it should be, and while the list of optional extras like a media drive for storing digital music and video to enjoy on the move is persuasive, it’s simply not enough to commend this car for the average sedan buyer.

When all is said and done, the 2009 Dodge Avenger makes a reasonable, if flawed, entry to the midsize sedan market. While that Dodge styling and meaty engine might make some swoon, it’s not enough to sell this car on its own, and that’s really all it’s got. Perhaps Dodge can find a better balance with their next iteration.