Dodge had a strange 2011. The brand had just lost its trucks to the new Ram marque, Chrysler was working through a Fiat-backed restructuring, and yet the lineup got more real changes than it had in years. A new 3.6L Pentastar V6 spread across the range, the Charger and Durango were rebuilt from scratch, and the Journey and Avenger got new interiors.
Here’s every 2011 Dodge model, what was under the hood, what it cost new, and whether it’s a good used buy today.
Contents
- 2011 Dodge models at a glance
- Dodge Avenger
- Dodge Caliber
- Dodge Challenger
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Dakota
- Dodge Durango
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Dodge Journey
- Dodge Nitro
- What happened to the Viper and the trucks
- Buying a used 2011 Dodge
- Best 2011 Dodge by need
- FAQ
2011 Dodge models at a glance
Prices are approximate original base MSRPs, rounded. Horsepower figures are factory numbers for the engines listed.
| Model | Type | Engine options | Approx. base price new |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avenger | Midsize sedan | 2.4L I4 (173 hp), 3.6L V6 (283 hp) | $20,000 |
| Caliber | Compact hatchback | 2.0L I4 (148 hp), 2.4L I4 (172 hp) | $16,000 |
| Challenger | Muscle coupe | 3.6L V6 (305 hp), 5.7L Hemi (375 hp), 6.4L Hemi (470 hp) | $23,000 |
| Charger | Full-size sedan | 3.6L V6 (292 hp), 5.7L Hemi (370 hp), 6.4L Hemi (470 hp) | $26,000 |
| Dakota | Midsize pickup | 3.7L V6 (210 hp), 4.7L V8 (302 hp) | $22,000 |
| Durango | Three-row SUV | 3.6L V6 (290 hp), 5.7L Hemi (360 hp) | $30,000 |
| Grand Caravan | Minivan | 3.6L V6 (283 hp) | $25,000 |
| Journey | Crossover | 2.4L I4 (173 hp), 3.5L V6 (235 hp) | $22,000 |
| Nitro | Compact SUV | 3.7L V6 (about 210 hp) | $23,000 |
That’s nine models. Each gets its own section below.
Dodge Avenger
The Avenger was Dodge’s midsize sedan, built on an old Chrysler/Mitsubishi platform, and 2011 was the year it stopped being embarrassing. The interior was redone with softer materials and a better dash, and the suspension was retuned.
The big news was the V6. The old 2.7L was gone, replaced by the 3.6L Pentastar making 283 hp with a six-speed automatic. The 2.4L four-cylinder carried over at 173 hp with a four-speed auto, and it’s the one you should skip unless fuel cost is your only concern. Trims ran Express, Heat, Mainstreet and Lux.
Used, the V6 is the one to find. It’s quick for the price and cheap to buy. Expect low single-digit thousands today for most examples.
Dodge Caliber
The Caliber was the cheapest car in the showroom: a five-door compact hatchback, starting around $16,000. Engines were a 2.0L four (148 hp) and a 2.4L four (172 hp). Trims included Express, Mainstreet, Heat and Uptown. Some cars used a continuously variable transmission, and that gearbox is the part to worry about.
The Caliber wasn’t well reviewed when new for its cheap cabin and dull driving, and it hasn’t aged into a cult classic. It was also near the end of its run, finishing after 2012. Buy one only if the price is very low and the service history is documented.
Dodge Challenger
The Challenger is the 2011 Dodge most people actually want. The retro coupe came in three flavors, and the 2011 model year brought the first Challenger with the Pentastar.
- SE: 3.6L V6, 305 hp, five-speed automatic. It was quicker than the old 3.5L V6 and gets decent fuel economy for a coupe this size.
- R/T: 5.7L Hemi V8, 375 hp, six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. This is the classic one. The R/T Classic added retro styling touches.
- SRT8 392: 6.4L Hemi, 470 hp, with the Hemi’s cylinder deactivation removed and a proper performance suspension.
Base price started in the low $20,000s, with the SRT8 landing in the low-to-mid $40,000s. A Challenger R/T with the manual is the one enthusiasts hunt for. The SE is a better daily than it gets credit for.
If you’re weighing the V8 trims, the R/T vs SRT8 decision comes down to budget: the SRT8 is much faster and costs much more to buy and run.
Dodge Charger
The 2011 Charger was a full redesign. The previous car had been a boxy, cheap-feeling sedan. This one got a new body, a much better interior, and an updated version of the same rear-drive platform.
Engines:
- SE and Rallye: 3.6L Pentastar V6, 292 hp, five-speed automatic.
- R/T: 5.7L Hemi V8, 370 hp. Rear-drive, with an all-wheel-drive version available on some trims.
- SRT8: 6.4L Hemi, 470 hp, with a firmer suspension and Brembo brakes.
The base price was about $26,000, and the SRT8 was in the mid-$40,000s. There was also a police-spec version, so check carefully that a cheap Charger didn’t spend its life in a patrol fleet.
A used R/T is probably the best value muscle sedan from this era. It has four doors, a large trunk and a V8 for far less than a new equivalent.
Dodge Dakota
The Dakota was the last Dodge-badged truck. When Ram split off in 2010, the full-size trucks moved over, but the midsize Dakota stayed with Dodge. It was a short stay: production ended in August 2011.
Two engines were offered: a 3.7L V6 (210 hp) and a 4.7L V8 (302 hp). Body styles were extended and crew cab. Prices started in the low $20,000s.
It’s a dated truck with a cramped cabin and mediocre fuel economy, but it’s one of the last midsize pickups with a V8 option. Used examples are cheap and tow reasonably well.
Dodge Durango
The Durango was reborn for 2011. The old body-on-frame truck was replaced by a three-row unibody SUV that shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was larger, nicer inside and far better to drive.
Engines were the 3.6L V6 (290 hp) and 5.7L Hemi V8 (360 hp), both with five-speed automatics. Trims ran Express, Heat, Crew, R/T and Citadel. Starting price was around $30,000, and the Hemi can tow roughly 7,000 lb when properly equipped.
The V6 is the sensible choice. The Hemi is thirstier, but pulls hard and tows well. Look for the Citadel if you want leather and a better sound system.
Dodge Grand Caravan
The Grand Caravan was Dodge’s best seller in this lineup by a wide margin. In 2011 it also got the Pentastar V6, 283 hp, paired with a new six-speed automatic. That was a big step up from the older engines.
It still has the Stow ‘n Go seating that folds the second and third rows into the floor, which remains the main reason to buy one. Trims included Express, Mainstreet, Crew and R/T. The R/T added sport-tuned suspension and a darker look, and it was one of the five Dodge models that got an R/T badge at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show.
Prices started around $25,000. Used, it’s one of the cheapest ways to move seven people, but check the service history carefully.
Dodge Journey
The Journey was a five or seven-seat crossover and the 2011 model year brought a refreshed interior, a new look and mechanical changes. Engines were a 2.4L four (173 hp) and a 3.5L V6 (235 hp) with a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive was available on the V6.
Trims were Express, Mainstreet, Crew and R/T. Base price was around $22,000.
The four-cylinder is underpowered for the size, and the third row is tight. The V6 is the better engine, but the Journey was never a favorite for driving or reliability. It’s cheap, though.
Dodge Nitro
The Nitro was a boxy, angular compact SUV with a 3.7L V6 and four-speed automatic. It had a truck-like look and real off-road ability with the four-wheel-drive models. Trims included Heat, Detonator and Shock.
It was inexpensive, started around $23,000, and it was thirsty. It was also loud and the interior felt cheap, so buyers should be selective. The Nitro was discontinued after 2011, making this its last model year.
Used, it’s a cheap SUV with strong curb appeal and a mediocre ownership record.
What happened to the Viper and the trucks
Searching for 2011 Dodge models often turns up two items that aren’t on the list above.
The Viper. Production of the V10 Viper ended in 2010. Dealers sold leftover cars and some were titled later, but Dodge didn’t offer a new 2011 Viper. A new generation, badged SRT Viper, came back for 2013.
The trucks. Starting in 2010, Ram became a separate brand. The Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500, and the Ram Chassis Cab, are not 2011 Dodge models, even though many older articles and guides still list them under Dodge. The Dakota was the only truck left at Dodge.
Buying a used 2011 Dodge
A 2011 Dodge is now about 15 years old. Prices vary widely by mileage and region, but here’s roughly what to expect from private sellers and dealers:
- Caliber, Avenger, Journey, Nitro: a few thousand dollars, sometimes less.
- Grand Caravan, Durango, Dakota: roughly $3,000 to $10,000 depending on trim and condition.
- Charger R/T and Challenger R/T: often $10,000 to $18,000.
- SRT8 models: the most expensive, often well over $25,000 for a clean one.
Common issues to check:
- Pentastar V6 (2011 model year): early engines could develop cylinder head and valve-train problems, often first showing as a ticking noise. Ask for service records and listen at a cold start.
- Caliber CVT: a known weak point, as mentioned above. Have it inspected.
- Electrical: Chrysler’s power distribution module caused random electrical faults across several models of this era. Test every function in the car.
- Durango and Grand Caravan: transmissions and suspension wear are worth a pre-purchase inspection.
Before you buy, run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup. Open recalls are free to repair at a dealer. You can also compare crash-test results at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and check real-world mpg figures at fueleconomy.gov.
Best 2011 Dodge by need
- Best for a family: the Grand Caravan. Stow ‘n Go and the Pentastar make it the practical pick. The Durango is the pick if you need to tow.
- Best for performance: the Challenger R/T or Charger R/T. Both have the 5.7L Hemi and plenty of power. Move up to an SRT8 only if you can afford the fuel and tires.
- Best on a budget: an Avenger V6. It’s the cheapest way into the Pentastar engine, with a quieter, better-built cabin than the older cars.
- Best daily driver: a Charger SE or a Challenger SE, both with the V6. They’re quick enough and cheaper to run than the V8s.
- Best for work: the Dakota with the V8, if you can find a clean one.
FAQ
How many models did Dodge sell in 2011? Nine: Avenger, Caliber, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Grand Caravan, Journey and Nitro.
Is the Dodge Ram a 2011 Dodge model? No. Ram became its own brand in 2010. The Dakota was the only pickup that stayed under the Dodge name.
Did Dodge make a Viper in 2011? No. The last of the previous-generation Viper was built in 2010, and the car returned for the 2013 model year.
What’s the most reliable 2011 Dodge? There’s no clear winner, but the Grand Caravan and the Hemi V8 models are generally regarded as durable if maintained. The Caliber with the CVT is the one to be most careful with.
Which 2011 Dodge has the most power? The Challenger SRT8 392 and Charger SRT8, both at 470 hp from the 6.4L Hemi.
Marco Delantero
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