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Pros: Iconic good looks, comfortable, efficient.
Cons: Rear passenger space, drab interior in lower spec models.
Jeep Avenger Design
Jeep is famous for building tough off-road vehicles like the Wrangler but not so much for compact crossovers that will spend most of their time in town. Yet Jeep has managed to package much of its rugged design DNA into the Avenger’s dinky dimensions (it’s shorter than a Renegade) and the result is very good indeed.
At the front, the classic Jeep seven-slot grille helps the Avenger to stand out against rivals as something a bit more rugged and authentic, while the squared-off wheel arches and lashings of cladding add instant character, while also protecting the headlights and paintwork from bumps and scrapes. Short overhangs and the best ground clearance of the small crossover class mean the Avenger will have a go at taking on the urban jungle or something rougher with far more panache than rivals. It’s front wheel drive only for now but Jeep has included a hill descent control and a few driving modes for more grip on mud, snow and sand. There are three trim levels – Longitude, Altitude and Summit – with wheel sizes from 16- to 18-inch.
Jeep Avenger Interior
Jeep has gone with quite a simple and minimalist dashboard design for the new Avenger, punctuated by some impressive tech like a digital instrument cluster (7- or 10-inch depending on model) and slim 10-inch touchscreen that comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, voice control that responds to 'Hey Jeep' and over-the-air updates. Despite the minimal design, there is a panel of buttons below the screen to adjust the ventilation. The fit and finish feels good but there is quite a lot of hard black plastic on display in the dashboard and doors, which looks a little drab. Opt for the top of the range Summit model and a body-coloured dash panel does brighten it up. Cloth and vinyl seats come as standard with the option of full leather.
There is a huge amount of useful storage between the driver and passenger for such a small car. Standard features include climate control, keyless start, cruise control, drive modes and the hill descent control. Altitude adds wireless smartphone charging and a parking camera but you’ll need to go for the Summit model for heated front seats.
There’s good headroom in the back for such a small car but the rear bench is best suited to two and tall adults are likely to find legroom tight back there. The 355-litre boot is about average for the class but there is a small bit of underfloor storage for the charging cables.
Jeep Avenger Performance & Drive
The Avenger is available with a petrol engine in some markets but for now it’s electric only in Ireland. It uses a 54kWh battery with a range of up to 400 kilometres (WLTP). Built on the same Stellantis Group platform as the Peugeot 2008 and the Opel Mokka, Jeep has specifically tuned it for the Avenger with up to 60% Jeep-specific parts. The suspension has been tuned for more comfort in on- and off-road driving. The Avenger handles the road with some real sophistication offering excellent ride quality for a small electric crossover and not too much road and wind noise, even at speed on the motorway. It’s smooth and agile to drive with an efficient 156hp electric motor and heat pump as standard contributing to consumption as low as 15.4kWh per 100 kilometres. 0-100km/h is a leisurely enough 9 seconds but the performance will be more than fine for most.
Fast charging is possible up to 100kW so an 80% battery charge is possible in less than 30 minutes. AC charging is possible up to 11kW for a full charge in five hours or in seven hours from a 7kW wallbox.
Jeep Avenger Pricing
The entry level Longitude starts from €35,995. The mid-level Altitude is available from €39,495. The top-of-the-range Summit is priced from €42,495.
Carzone Verdict
The Avenger is a wonderful addition to the Jeep range, opening up the brand to a whole new audience of buyers seeking a fun, compact SUV. Electric power really suits the Avenger and makes this one of the brand’s most accomplished and competitive models on sale. It’s not the best for outright space for the money but nothing can really compare to the Avenger’s rugged, iconic charm.