Jeep’s first electric car has made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, and will also be available with petrol and plug-in hybrid power
- Range of up to 249 miles (300 in the city)
- Electric, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid powertrains
- Due on sale early in 2023
The Jeep Avenger – the American brand’s first electric SUV – has made its public debut at the 2022 Paris Motor Show. Sitting below the ageing Renegade in the Jeep lineup, the Avenger will be available with frugal mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as well as full electric power.
Pricing for the new Jeep Avenger is yet to be announced, but we expect electric models of the compact crossover to start from just over £30,000 when they go on sale in early 2023 – petrol-powered cars will cost slightly less. However, eager UK customers can register their interest now on Jeep’s website. When it arrives in showrooms, the Avenger will be a rival for both petrol and electric versions of the Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot 2008.
The Jeep Avenger adopts a much squatter, chunkier shape than other small SUVs, such as the Hyundai Kona. At the front, the Avenger gets a similar look to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. This comprises a set of slim, rectangular headlights and a narrow version of Jeep’s iconic slatted grille – although, this will be blocked off for the sake of improving efficiency on fully-electric models.
At the rear, the Jeep Avenger wears a set of LED cross-shaped tail lights, similar to those seen on the full-sized Jeep Wrangler 4×4. Minus the blocked off grille and a handful of badges, the only way onlookers will be able to tell the difference between hybrid petrol and pure electric versions of the Avenger will be the presence of a small exhaust pipe at the rear.
Stepping inside, the Avenger already appears to be much more modern than the larger Jeep Renegade. Perched on the centre of the dashboard is a 10.25-inch touchscreen; this comes as standard on all cars and runs the brand’s latest UConnect software, which can also be found in the new Grand Cherokee. Entry-level cars also get another seven-inch display behind the steering wheel for the driver, while higher-end models get a larger and more configurable 10.25-inch screen. Other optional features include massaging, heated leather seats and Level 2 autonomous driving capability.
Despite being the smallest model in the range, Jeep says the Avenger will still continue the brand’s reputation for practicality and versatility; the glove box and centre console together offer 34 litres of storage, while the latter can be removed to free up more space in the cabin. The boot measures 380 litres in capacity, which is similar to the larger Renault Captur. As standard, all cars also get a powered bootlid – something that’s usually reserved for larger and more luxurious SUVs.
All versions of the fully-electric Avenger EV are fitted with a 54kWh battery, offering a range of up to 249 miles on the combined WLTP test cycle– 35 miles more than what is possible in the equivalent Peugeot e-2008 or Vauxhall Mokka Electric, which both use similar Stellantis group technology. However, Jeep says the Avenger can travel over 300 miles when driving around town, which should make the tiny SUV even more appealing to those living in the city. All cars get access to 100kW rapid charging, meaning a 20-80% charger will take as little as 24 minutes when connected to a compatible public charger.
At this stage, very little is known about the upcoming plug-in hybrid model; however, we expect the entry-level mild-hybrid car to utilise parent company Stellantis’ 1.2-litre ‘Puretech’ three-cylinder engine. This is the same engine that appears in the Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa, however here it should have a boost to fuel economy thanks to 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.
What does this mean for car buyers?
Jeep has pledged to become an all-electric brand in Europe by 2030, and the Avenger is its first step towards that goal. Over the next few years, Jeep has promised to introduce another three EVs to its lineup, including a retro-styled SUV called the Recon and a range-topping Jeep Wagoneer S.
For now, the Avenger seems to be a tempting proposition bringing a more rugged flavour to the small SUV class. Electric alternatives from Peugeot and Vauxhall can’t quite match the Jeep in terms of range, which gives it a further edge. However, to succeed, Jeep will need to ensure the new car starts as close to £30,000 as possible, due to the larger, 289-mile Kia Niro EV costing only slightly more.
Keyword: New Jeep Avenger SUV has a maximum range of 249 miles