When the Jeep Avenger was first revealed, it caused something of a stir. With its compact dimensions and fully electric drivetrain, the car marks a notable departure for the classic 4×4 brand.
Being part of the Stellantis global automotive empire means Jeep has access to the eCMP2 electric platform – an updated version of the architecture that underpins the Vauxhall Mokka-e and Peugeot e-2008.
Despite these shared origins, however, and being a compact EV aimed primarily at city drivers, the Avenger still looks like a Jeep. It has raised ground clearance and underbody protection, while the iconic seven-slot grille is present and correct – albeit blanked off due to reduced cooling requirements. There are even Mud and Sand settings for the drive mode selector, and Jeep has minimised the front and rear overhangs to improve off-road ability.
Engage Sport mode
Jeep has teased a four-wheel-drive version, but for now the Avenger is front-driven only. A 156hp electric motor lives beneath the bonnet, and sees the Avenger accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds. With a relatively low kerb weight (by EV standards) of 1,615kg, it does feel lively in Sport mode.
On the road, the Avenger is fairly firm over bumps and broken tarmac, not helped by this Summit model’s 18-inch alloy wheels. The setup does at least help the Avenger tackle corners neatly, albeit without much steering feel. A Smart #1 will be more entertaining to drive, if that matters to you.
Powering the Jeep Avenger is a 54kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with 51kWh of usable capacity. In the official WLTP tests, the Avenger proved itself capable of covering up to 249 miles on a full charge, or 342 miles on the city test cycle.
Feeling the chill
Despite our best efforts, though, it seemed impossible to get the Avenger to average more than 3.5 miles per kWh across a mixture of roads. This included limiting the Jeep to Eco mode, enabling regenerative braking and turning off the air conditioning.
Our test did coincide with a sudden cold snap, which naturally causes a reduction in battery performance. Nonetheless, according to our experience, the Avenger would only manage around 175 miles when fully charged. Jeep does say the Avenger has been tested to work in temperatures down to -30ºC, and warmer weather should improve its range.
At least charging the Jeep Avenger is a fairly painless task. The car is compatible with rapid chargers up to 100kWh, meaning its battery can go from 20-80 percent charge in 24 minutes using the right device. Plugging into a home wallbox should see a full charge completed in less than eight hours.
Fit for a family
Despite its modest footprint, the Avenger is relatively roomy inside for those in the front. Rear legroom is tighter, but the boot has a generous 355 litres of luggage space.
The interior itself has some neat touches, like a folding flap to cover your smartphone while it charges wirelessly, but there are also a lot of hard plastics. Although this arguably fits with Jeep’s rough-and-tumble image, it is harder to square with a list price that can easily exceed £40,000 in range-topping Summit specification.
We’re pleased to see physical buttons for the climate control, and the standard 10.25-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen is easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are included as standard, along with cruise control, hill-descent control and plenty of safety equipment.
Urban explorer
Since being launched, the Avenger has collected a slew of awards, including the 2023 European Car of the Year prize. Yet the Jeep also finds itself in a very competitive marketplace, with rivals including the Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Volvo EX30.
There is no denying the Avenger has plenty of charm, and will be more capable off-road than most electric crossovers. Even so, this particular Jeep feels most at home in the city. How times have changed.
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Rivals: Smart #1, Kia Niro EV, MG4 EV SE