The Avenger is Jeep’s first all-electric model, a small, fashionable contender that unlike most of its competitors is a bit more SUV than Crossover. Stellantis Group uses virtually the same engineering as before in the Avenger, but gives it a distinctively Jeep vibe.
Background
Jeep debuts its first all-electric vehicle, the Avenger, to become a leader in Zero Emissions SUVs. The Avenger is the first of the brand’s EV lineup, the smallest Jeep ever, and a new entry point into the company’s product range. Two larger EVs will follow, the luxury Wagoneer S and the off-road focused Recon, as part of a four-strong lineup of Jeep EVs by 2025. The whole range will be fully electric by 2030.
Stellantis Group builds the Avenger on the ECMP2 platform, which also underpins the Peugeot e-2008, the DS3 E-TENSE, and the Vauxhall Mokka-e. However, the company adapted the chassis for higher ground clearance and improved off-road capability. Despite these changes, the car will primarily be sold in front-wheel-drive form. The manufacturer assembles the Avenger at its high-efficiency plant in Tychy, Poland, and it sits below the Renegade in the Jeep lineup.
The Jeep Avenger Driving Experience
For most Avengers, forward motion comes from a single 154bhp electric motor with 260Nm of torque mounted on the front axle and powered by a 54kWh battery. When fully charged, this offers a range of 249 miles. Expect slightly less than that for the forthcoming 4WD version, which adds a further motor on the rear axle. Italy and Spain also get a 1.2-litre turbo petrol model, but unfortunately we won’t see that here.
Jeep positions the front-driven Avenger as the off-road champion of EV SUVs. It has higher ride height and better approach/departure angles than the Renegade 4xe Plug-in Hybrid.
There are 20-degree breakover and approach angles and a 32-degree departure angle. All of which might sound irrelevant for an urban SUV but which, Jeep says, will make it better suited for dealing with speed humps, high kerbs and steep multi-storey car park ramps; yeah right. An Avenger though, might give you more confidence than its rivals in a snowy snap. Jeep introduces the first front-driven Avenger with standard Hill Descent Control and ‘Selec-Terrain’ driving modes, which includes six settings – ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’, ‘Sport’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Mud & Sand’.
The Jeep Avenger Design and Build
For some time, mainstream Jeep models have had very little American influence, and the Avenger continues this trend. As the first Jeep designed outside of the US, it will not be sold there. Instead, the company manufactures it in Poland and targets it almost entirely at the European market. Despite this, classic brand design cues appear throughout the vehicle to create the illusion that it is American-made.
The Avenger’s designers reference the Willys Jeep of 1941 with its trapezoidal wheel arches and shoulder line, they use the ‘floating’ C-pillar from the Compass and Grand Cherokee, and of course, they include the company’s classic 7-slot front grille (though they actually close it off, directing cooling air beneath the front bumper).At just over 4 meters in length (16cm shorter than a Renegade), the Avenger is the shortest Jeep ever. However, it still has a strong presence on the road thanks to at least 200mm of ground clearance, short overhangs, and large wheels of up to 18 inches in size.
Inside, there’s a lean dashboard supposedly inspired by the Wrangler, with an upper part made up of a single horizontal ‘function beam’, which includes all the air vents, ambient lighting and a central 10.25-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen. Inevitably, another screen resides in the instrument binnacle, of either 7.0 or 10.25-inches in size depending on spec. The lower side of the dash features a wide open storage shell which contributes generously to the 34-litre stowage space total in the cabin – over double the segment average. The centre tunnel can be moved to fit the sizes of various items – or even removed entirely to accommodate larger objects like a handbag.
The battery’s 17 modules sit beneath both front and rear seats in space designed to improve rear seat legroom, though that’s on the tight side as usual in a small B-segment SUV. Out back, the 380-litre boot is reasonably large by class standards and has a low 720mm loading height, a one-metre rear hatch width and the option of hands-free powered tailgate.
The Jeep Avenger Market and Model
There are three trim levels in the mainstream range – ‘Sport’, ‘Longitude’ and ‘Limited’. Expect entry-level ‘Sport’-spec Avengers to cost from around £30,000. You’ll pay around £36,000 for the initial Avenger model to make it here, a full-specced ‘First Edition’ model, based on ‘Limited’-spec but with unique wheels and flashier interior trim. The ‘First Edition’ can be had in a special ‘Volano livery’ finish, or can be had with two-tone paintwork with a contrasting-colour roof. It includes rear privacy glass, 18-inch wheels, front and rear full-LED lights, power-folding mirrors and a powered tailgate. There are also 360-degree parking sensors and a rear view camera.
Avenger ‘First Edition’ comes with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic air conditioning, multi-color ambient lighting, heated windscreen, and yellow highlights. Media controlled by Uconnect 10.25-inch centre screen with wireless ‘Apple CarPlay’/’Android Auto’ smartphone-mirroring. Top variant includes blind spot alert and Level 2 ADAS driver assist systems for autonomous speed, distance, and lane keeping. Traffic Jam assist for autonomous driving in traffic.”
Across the Avenger range, there’s a choice of seven paint colours and available alloy wheels range in size between 16 and 18-inches. Around 100 accessories are available, including graphics for the roof and flanks. This should mean that it’ll be easily possible to ensure that your Avenger looks like no other.
The Cost of Driving a Jeep Avenger
249 miles driving range from the 54kWh battery (51kWh usable) in normal driving. Jeep claims up to 342 miles in urban driving. Battery recharges from 20-80% in 24 minutes via 100kW cable. 3 minutes on fast charger = 80 miles of range. Efficiency at 5.0 miles per kWh. Jeep’s “Freedom to Choose” allows customers to select charging solutions.
Away from the EV powertrain, Jeep has also given some thought about how to reduce damage caused by low speed impacts, which make up around 70% of accident cases in Europe. Keeping protection in mind, designers position the Avenger’s headlamps high and encase them to protect from low-speed impacts. They also make the skid plates from a polymer mold that does not show visible scratches. Additionally, they place cladding high on exposed areas like the doors for extra protection. Keeping protection in mind, designers position the Avenger’s headlamps high and encase them to protect from low-speed impacts. They also make the skid plates from a polymer mold that does not show visible scratches. Additionally, they place cladding high on exposed areas like the doors for extra protection.
Thanks to these additions, the brand estimates the customer could reduce potential accident damage costs by up to around £1,000. Like other Jeep models, this one comes with a dedicated Jeep Customer Care service where a team of expertly trained agents will be available 24/7 to answer any questions about your journey.
Summary
Jeep aims to lead all-electric SUV market, with many new full-battery models to come. The Avenger is significant, as it competes in a segment accounting for 20% of European sales. Company hopes it will improve sales performance in markets like Europe.
There’s a chance that might happen. The brief here – to create a fun, boxy Jeep that’s all- electric – has been delivered with the kind of flair likely customers will be looking for. And the Avenger’s ‘Selec-Terrain’ system delivers the kind of poor weather driving confidence that most of this car’s competitors lack. You could argue of course that for all kinds of reasons, it’s not ‘a real Jeep’. But there’s no question that it’s really what the brand needs right now. Get in touch to register your interest.
