We tried the Jeep Avenger, the electric vehicle that allows Jeep to appeal to millennials while maintaining its brand identity

Although Jeep took longer than other brands in the Stellantis group to launch a fully electric car, it finally succeeded in introducing an urban SUV to the world of zero-emission mobility, with the Jeep Avenger . Despite the brand being known for its off-road capabilities, it opted for an urban SUV for this transition.

The Jeep Avenger is also available in a gasoline version, making it one of the cheapest models in its class.

The first electric Jeep

Jeep was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a B-segment SUV with the Renegade , but with the rise of urban SUVs over the past 10 years, the brand needs more options to stay competitive.

Although the Renegade is still on sale and offers PHEV variants with a ZERO label and another with micro-hybridization and an ECO label, Jeep needs a fully electric model to complete its line of urban SUVs.

However, Jeep's new B SUV , the Avenger , will share the category with the veteran Renegade . While the Avenger isn't all about electrification, it's available with a gasoline engine that makes it one of the cheapest options in its class.

However, this only applies to our market and a few other countries where the purchasing power and sales of electric cars are not as high as in the rest of Europe, such as Italy and the Portugal.

Although the gasoline version is selling particularly well, the big news about the Avenger is that it's the first all-electric Jeep . The brand used Stellantis technology to develop it and thus shares the platform, engine and battery with other urban SUVs of the group, such as the Opel Mokka and the Peugeot 2008 .

Although it is based on the CMP modular architecture, Jeep assures that 60% of the car has been modified for this version. The Avenger uses the same electric motor with 156 HP and 260 Nm of torque as the Peugeot e-208 GT, the recently presented Peugeot e-2008 and the Opel Astra Electric .

Urban, but Jeep

As for the battery, it is of the lithium-ion type and has a capacity of 54 kWh (51 useful kWh). This battery is shared with the recently updated Peugeot e-2008. The model in question is slightly smaller than the Jeep Renegade due to its dimensions, but its typically Jeep rugged design makes it difficult to distinguish from other models in its class. It is 4.08 meters long, 1.77 meters wide and 1.53 meters high.

In terms of off-road dimensions, it stands out from its competitors, including the Jeep Renegade, with a ground clearance of 20 cm and acceptable body angles for a model in this category: 20 degrees for entry, 32 degrees for the exit and 20 degrees for the ventral.

Although this is not enough for off-road driving, it allows less careful driving on roads and tracks. However, it does set Jeep apart from the many B-SUVs available and pass on its DNA to a car that shares many characteristics with its Stellantis cousins.

Recognizing this, Jeep used its branding and incorporated several references to the company's history into the Avenger, such as the Willys grille featured on the bumper and wheels.

In addition, Jeep chose to combine form and function by taking practicality into account when designing the Avenger, in addition to these aesthetic nods.

The American brand has added extra protection to the exterior of its SUV to protect the parts most vulnerable to bumps and scratches, such as the corners of the bumpers and the headlights.

In addition to offering extensive catalogs of colors and wheels, Jeep is committed to personalizing the Avenger by offering options such as vinyls, stickers for the grille and different moldings for the interior, which combine aesthetics and functionality.

Unlike the use of colored materials that quickly deteriorate, such as glossy black plastic, and the omission of traditional buttons in favor of touch controls, the interior of the cabin is equipped with hard plastics, physical buttons , numerous storage compartments and well thought-out ergonomics.

Well equipped, but there is not enough space

The Avenger's dash doesn't have the same soft texture as higher-end models, but that doesn't make it cheap. In fact, it seems to be designed to last over time. The whole car conveys a solid feel, although it's unclear how the tablet-like cover on the center stack will age over time. This feature is novel, but those who own a phone or tablet with a similar case know that they tend to wear out quickly.

Regarding ergonomics, everything is well thought out and easily accessible. Combining functionality and aesthetics is a real challenge for manufacturers today, but Jeep has managed to strike the right balance by paying equal attention to these two aspects.

Controls for adjusting the climate control and media volume feature physical buttons on the steering wheel, and key functions can also be accessed via the touchscreen. Drivers appreciate the ability not to control everything via the central display, which some brands don't understand. Furthermore, the interior offers plenty of storage space and the driving position is comfortable, thanks to a central armrest and pleasant seats, although they do not provide optimal body support.

Even so, the digital aspect is not neglected as the central screen measures 10.25 inches and the two most high-end versions have a customizable digital panel with different display modes, including a map of navigation.

The formula used for the Avenger is that of the other Stellantis B SUVs , with a combination of Jeep-specific features. However, when it comes to habitability, it does not surpass its larger counterparts and even fails to reach the level of the Renegade.

The trunk volume is average for this category, offering 380 liters in the petrol version and 355 liters in the electric version. The rear seats seem narrow in terms of width and legroom. Although they are quite high, their access is not optimal due to a rather low opening angle of the doors.

As in all cars in this segment, the rear center seat is used only for children or emergency situations. However, unlike other models

However, even though Jeep's design and philosophy encourage out-of-town travel, the vehicle is not designed for regular use as a travel car, as it has an urban orientation. Nevertheless, none of the proposed motors should pose a problem.

Although the version with a 1.2 turbo petrol engine, which develops 100 hp and 205 Nm of torque, may seem limited on paper, the Avenger weighs just over 1,250 kg, so its ride should be smooth.

Indeed, the gasoline version of the Avenger accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds, but it is necessary to drive the vehicle to assess its performance. So far, we've only driven the electric version of the Jeep Avenger.

Jeep isn't all about electrification

This variant offers higher performance than petrol with its 156 horsepower and 260 Nm torque, but it is important to note that it is heavier than the Avenger 1.2 turbo due to the presence of the battery and of the electric motor, which makes it slightly exceed 1,600 kg.

Although these 156 horsepower are enough to move with agility in all situations, they are more suited to urban driving than to the highway, due to the tuning of the engine. This variant has similarities to the Peugeot e-208 and e-2008 rather than the Renegade.

The suspension is quite soft and the steering is light, which is handy in town for driving and parking, but it can be less positive on the highway due to a lack of steering wheel information and level less cornering assistance, even with Sport mode activated.

Because of its soft suspensions, the Avenger is designed for a quiet ride. Although not as capable as the Citroën ë-C4 , it is also not comparable to the Opel Mokka-e. It is more agile than the latter, despite a platform shared with the Jeep and a lower power of 136 horsepower. The Jeep is similar to the Peugeot e-2008 and falls somewhere between the two models.

In addition, the Avenger, like its Stellantis cousins, benefits from good interior insulation, which makes it comfortable for passengers. The seats are comfortable, the driving position is good and the ergonomics are more than correct.

It's possible to drive the Avenger out of town, but like all electric cars, range has to be considered. It can travel up to 400 kilometers between charges, which is comparable to other electric vehicles of category B and C. In addition, it can be recharged with direct current up to 100 kW .

It would take just over 20 minutes to recover between 20-80% of your battery capacity using this charging method. When using alternating current, the maximum charging power is limited to 5.5 kW.

As for the question of whether you can travel with it, the answer is simple: if you plan your route carefully and know where to charge, you can certainly travel with an electric car, but obviously it will be easier to do it with a gasoline car.

On the other hand, the electric car stands out much more in the city, since it has a great autonomy that can cover the routes of most drivers without needing to be recharged for several days. It is also more comfortable and moves better.

Jeep is expanding its market by offering not only the 100% electric version of the Avenger , but also other options to reach a wider audience. The Avenger is an important product for Jeep, with a strong personality that should sell well, although a hybrid version could improve sales, like the 2008 Peugeot.

Gasoline sales are likely to outpace electric sales in the near term, as Jeep has yet to sell electric cars. However, the Avenger marks a step forward for the brand in the field of zero-emission vehicles, and other electric models of higher categories and an off-road version of the Avenger should follow.

It is already on sale from 23,300 euros

It's simple to make this prediction because, for many buyers, the determining factor is the price , whether it's an electric or gasoline-powered vehicle: the first costs 37,500 euros while the second costs 23,300 euros . .

The four available trim levels are Avenger , Longitude , Altitude and Summit , which are applicable in both cases. The base model comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, LED lights, rain sensor, large 10.25-inch center touchscreen, drive mode selector, descent control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, traffic signal recognition system and lane keeping assistant, among other features.

The Longitude gets an addition of 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear parking sensor. The Altitude, on the other hand, comes with premium seats, which are the same ones we tried on our first drive and are known for their comfort, as well as a 10.25-inch digital screen and a hands-free power tailgate.

Finally, the Summit has LED taillights, multi-color interior mood lighting, level 2 autonomous driving assistance (lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control), front parking sensors and rear, as well as a reversing camera with top view.