When it comes to vehicle design, the Jeep brand, despite being a part of the now global car industry, has always been fairly unique. In other words, large or small, Jeep’s are easily recognisable among the roaming herds of mainstream SUV’s. Now there’s another one and guess what? That’s right; the Avenger is all electric.
On the plus side, this new model has been picking up the plaudits from the many international car awards around the world for 2023. It has so far been cited as the ‘best small car’, the ‘best electric car’ and the ‘best family SUV’. There it is in our images and yes, it is still recognisably a Jeep and the company are making some bold claims about the Avenger.
On The Outside
The Avenger offers a modern interpretation of Jeep design in a compact package. The front of the vehicle displays the usual 7-slot grille, an authentic Jeep brand signature which has evolved from a vertical to a more horizontal pattern for functional efficiency, we learn. The bent-over grille is positioned in front of the headlamps to protect them in the case of impact. The bulging bumpers (fenders), another classic Jeep design element, suggest a sense of strength and robustness while communicating a solid and imposing presence on and off-road.
The side view is marked by the classic trapezoidal wheel arches, designed to optimize wheel travel for maximum articulation. The vehicle features imposing 18 inch wheels, with a diamond cut finish. The silhouette was carefully crafted to maximize the aero efficiency reinforced by a floating “C” pillar, which is a familiar trait within the current Jeep line-up.
At the back of the Avenger, signature-lights have the classic X pattern. This “X” is a recurring theme inside and outside. In order to reduce any damage caused by low-speed impacts, which make up around 70% of cases in Europe at least, the new Avenger is equipped with skid plates, 360-degree cladding and encased protected headlights.
On The Inside
The interior of the all-new Jeep Avenger offers up a clean and robust interior design, which is anchored by a slim dashboard.
Once inside the vehicle, the eyes are immediately drawn to the upper part of the dashboard where a single horizontal function includes all the air vents, ambient lighting and a centrally located 10.25 inch touch screen, which can be seen by both the driver and passenger. The lower side of the dashboard is marked by a wide-open storage compartment.
The central console has also been developed to maximize available usable space for driver and passenger, totalling 34 litres of frontal storage, which is an impressive figure considering the 15 litre average in the segment.
The new Avenger has unique details for this vehicle class such as leather seats which are electronically adjustable with a massage function, multicolour ambient light which reduces the strain on eyes during night driving and a wide sunroof (optionally and may not be offered until later in the production cycle). The vehicle’s side lights remain visible when the rear hatch opens for greater protection and safety.
Design to function rules have also been applied to the boot (trunk). Its volume is among the best in the segment at 380 litres and its functionality can be seen in the sill height of the boot loading which has been lowered while the rear hatch width has been increased to over one metre with the added benefit of a hands-free power lift-gate, not usual in the small SUV segment, as standard.
Made for “always connected” customers, the new Jeep Avenger ensures a completely digital on-board experience. State-of-the-art infotainment is present on all versions, equipped with a 10.25 inch radio screen ‘Uconnect Infotainment’ combined with full digital cluster available in two variants (7 and 10.25 inches). In addition, the system offers the possibility to physically mirror one’s own device on the radio via wireless Android Auto and Car Play; mix and match content to build your own interface. Embedded navigation by TomTom join enhanced natural voice recognition and over-the-air updates.
Thanks to the Jeep Mobile App, users can locate the location of their cars directly from their smartphones. Users can even lock and unlock their doors, check the battery level, set the climate functions and recharge the vehicle, as well interact directly with the Avenger through a vocal assistant.
Safety is to the fore in this car. It boasts Level 2 autonomous driving, which automatically adjusts speed and trajectory, and makes use of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering. In this way, the vehicle remains in the centre of the lane and at a safe distance from the vehicle preceding it in order to provide a serene driving experience. Plus, the Level 2 autonomous driving includes Traffic Jam Assist, for a relaxed and comfortable drive even in case of heavy traffic.
In addition, the new model also offers Traffic Sign Recognition, Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, which slows the vehicle down to a halt to avoid (or mitigate) possible accidents; Drowsy Driver Alert, which alerts the driver when a moment of drowsiness affects attention; Blind Spot Monitoring which monitors a driver’s blind spot; Lane Keeping Assist, which alerts the driver when the car has gone out of the lane; 360° parking sensors with Active Park Assist; and 180° rear camera with drone view. Jeep certainly have all the bases covered here.
The Electric Question
The Jeep Avenger has a new generation electric propulsion system which combines a new electric motor and a new battery. Thanks to the high power and torque, in addition to a specific e-power-train calibration, the new Avenger offers uncompromised driving enjoyment on- and off-road.
The second-generation 400 Volt electric power-train supplies 115 kW, corresponding to 156 horsepower, and 260 Nm of maximum torque. The new in-house 54 kWh battery, offers a high energy density and an excellent ratio between nominal and usable energy. A Lithium-Ion pack delivers 248 miles (400km) of range in the measured cycle, which becomes 341 miles (550km) in the urban cycle. Now, we all know about real world driving but it does seem that, for most users, public charging not be required for most normal day-to-day journeys.
The battery, which was tested for over two million kilometres, is extremely compact, non-intrusive, they say, and is found under the front and rear seats and the central tunnel. Furthermore, it is protected by a high ground clearance and underbody skid plates during off-road driving. Recharging is extremely simple in the manner of the latest generation of EV’s.
On The Road
Smaller than the current range of cars, buyers can nevertheless expect the new Jeep Avenger a similar drive to the other models. This car is the first from the brand to come with front-wheel drive and equipped with standard Selec-Terrain and Hill Descent Control which, together with the impressive approach and departure angles and the vehicle’s ground clearance, make it a benchmark in the small SUV segment.
The Selec-Terrain® system offers six modes: “Normal” for everyday driving; “Eco” to enhance range; “Sport” for more driving fun; “Snow” for maximum traction on icy roads or trails; “Mud” to optimise mud performance and to enhance grip; and “Sand” to limit the risk of becoming stuck on sandy soil. That just about covers most surfaces.
The new Avenger is only just over four metres long, 16 centimetres shorter than the Renegade. It has short front and rear overhangs which enhance its proportions. Additionally, its on-the-road presence is enhanced by larger wheels than would be expected from a vehicle of this size. Thanks to the combination of short overhangs and large wheels, the premium Avenger offers the best ground clearance in the category as well as outstanding approach, break-over and departure angles, which are essential for a little light off-road driving.
It will be interesting to see how well this FWD set-up manages when the going gets sticky. Mind you, when we think about off-roading, it is the name Jeep that gets conjured up so we suspect that this clever drive system will work rather well. In the meantime, why not get in touch with us here at MHH International and find out how, using our comprehensive and well established service, you can import Jeep vehicles from the UK to other global destinations.
