Jeep has revealed the Avenger, the American automaker’s first-ever fully-electric SUV.
The newcomer was built as a compact model specifically for the European market slotting in below the Renegade, while still offering above-average off-road capabilities for which the brand is known.
“[The Avenger] will be the new entry point to the Jeep range and will allow us to complete our SUV coverage, and we expect it to become the bestselling model in our portfolio by 2024,” said Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep Europe in Stellantis.
What you need to know
The electric Avenger boasts a new-generation propulsion system developed by Emotors, a joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding.
The 400-volt system generates a total output of 115kW and 260Nm, and is paired with a 54kWh battery that delivers up to 400km of range in combined conditions.
Driving exclusively in an urban setting, the Avenger will do a maximum of 550km on a single charge.
It also supports a 100kW DC charging speed, seeing the battery fill up from 20% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes. Three minutes on the same plug adds around 24km of range, which the manufacturer said should be enough for most Europeans’ daily needs.
“Considering that European users travel 30km on an average per day, it is likely that the vehicle can be driven for days before recharging,” said Jeep.
Despite the unfamiliar powertrain, the Avenger is at the top of its segment when it comes to off-road performance, according to the automaker.
It is the first front-wheel-drive Jeep to be equipped, as standard, with the Selec-Terrain and hill descent control programmes that bring Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Sand driving modes.
Short overhangs, coupled with a 200mm ground clearance, also result in steep approach and departure angles “which are essential for off-road driving but also useful in city life, for example when driving up a steep parking ramp,” said Jeep.
Polymer skid plates, 360-degree protective cladding, and encased headlamps are further installed to reduce any damages caused by low-speed impacts, “which make up around 70% of cases in Europe.”
Moving inside, the centerpiece of the cabin is the single, horizontal dash that houses all the aircon vents, multi-colour ambient lighting, as well as the 10.25-inch media screen.
The fixture has been designed to “maximum available usable space” thereby providing 34 litres of front storage, “which is an impressive figure considering the 15-litres average in the segment,” said Jeep.
Moreover, the electric SUV sees electronically-adjustable seats with leather inserts and massaging functions, a wide sunroof, a wireless charger, as well as a fully-digital driver’s cluster ranging between 7 to 10.25 inches, depending on the trim.
Thanks to the latest Uconnect software, the Avenger also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, onboard TomTom navigation, and support for the Jeep Mobile App allowing owners to locate the vehicle, lock and unlock the doors, check the battery level, and set climate functions directly from their smartphone.
A variety of active and passive safety systems are included, too, such as traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, all-round parking sensors with active park assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring – altogether lending the new Jeep “Level 2 autonomous driving” capabilities.
The Jeep Avenger is arriving in European dealerships in early 2023. Its South African availability is yet to be confirmed.
Jeep Avenger
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