New Jeep Avenger electric SUV can travel for up to 248 miles between charges and top up from 20-80% in 24 minutes. Here’s everything you need to know, including the price, specs and release date...
On sale June 2023 | Price from £32,000 (est)
Not so long ago, the very idea of the new Jeep Avenger would have had you laughed out of its maker’s online forum. You see, as an electric SUV, it’s unlike anything the car brand has made before.
Based on the same underpinnings as the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka-e – all of which come from Jeep’s owner, Stellantis – the Avenger is the brand’s first electric car. It precedes the introduction of two other new electric Jeeps – the Wagoneer S and Recon – which are due in 2024.
Powering the Avenger is a single electric motor that produces 154bhp and 192lb ft – the same as you’ll find on the upcoming Peugeot e-308 electric hatchback. With the motor mounted on the front axle, the Avenger is front-wheel drive.
While this factor might upset some Jeep purists, most Avenger owners are not likely to take their car off road. However, if the need does ever arise, there are three off-road driving modes – Sand, Mud and Snow, as well as hill descent control – which are standard on all models.
As previewed by the Jeep Avenger 4×4 concept that has been revealed alongside the Avenger, a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive version will arrive further down the line. While full details on this are yet to be confirmed, it’s likely to produce around 300bhp, with the second motor mounted on the rear axle.
Energy comes from a battery with a 51kWh usable capacity that gives it an official range of 248 miles. That’s slightly less than the MG ZS EV Long Range can travel with its 68.3kWh (usable) battery and 273-mile official range. With the four-wheel-drive version, we can expect the range to drop to around 200 miles.
With 100kW charging capability, the battery can top up from 20-80% in 24 minutes if you can find a suitably powerful charging point. In comparison, the ZS EV Long Range can accept up to 94kW of power, giving a 10-80% charge in around 37 minutes.
The Avenger features classic Jeep styling cues, including the same X-shaped LED rear lights seen on the Renegade and larger Jeep Wrangler, as well as a bold, blanked-off front grille. The Avenger 4×4 concept takes these Jeep styling cues a step further with the addition of wider wheelarches, tow hooks, off-road tyres and a roof rack.
Inside, the Avenger gets a simple yet rugged-looking interior, and all cars come standard with a 10.25in infotainment display that houses Jeep’s latest Android-based UConnect infotainment system. For the driver, a 7.0in digital driver’s display is standard on lower trims, and a 10.0in configurable screen on upper trims.
The Avenger’s interior also comes with plenty of space to store your everyday paraphernalia. In total, there’s 34 litres of space, made up of a huge central storage bin, enormous door pockets and a shelf that spans the width of the dashboard.
Less impressive, though, is the interior quality. We’ve had the chance to sit in the Avenger and we struggled to find any soft-touch plastics anywhere. Almost every surface is covered with hard, scratchy plastic – including on the door tops and central dashboard.
However, getting comfortable is very easy. There’s plenty of adjustment in the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel adjusts for both reach and rake. What’s more, the climate controls are operated via physical buttons rather than the touchscreen – something that should help to minimise distraction while driving.
In the back seats, space is tight. While head room is pretty good (thanks to the car’s boxy shape), leg room is poor – particularly if you’re more than six feet tall. And because the car’s underpinnings are not bespoke for an electric car (combustion-powered versions of the Avenger will be offered in Europe), there’s no flat floor – so leg room for the middle passenger is tight.
On the other hand, the boot is a good, square shape and comes with underfloor storage. In total, there’s 380 litres of capacity – a fair bit more than in the Hyundai Kona Electric’s 332-litre boot. However, it’s significantly smaller than the ZS EV’s 470 litres.
Four versions of the Avenger will be available from launch: Sport, Longitude, Limited and a Launch Edition. While full UK specifications for these models are yet to be confirmed, all Avengers will have multiple customisation options, with seven body colours, body stickers and bonnet stripes available.
Prices for the Avenger are expected to start from around £32,000. At that price, the Avenger will be more expensive than the entry-level ZS EV, but cheaper than the e-2008 and Kia Niro EV.
Keyword: 2023 Jeep Avenger electric SUV revealed