Let’s begin with three crucial issues price mentioning about Jeep’s Avenger. One, that is Jeep’s very first absolutely electric car. Two, it has already been named European Car of the Year for 2023. Three—and considerably staggeringly, contemplating these first two important particulars—it isn’t happening sale within the US.
Why? Jeep thinks it isn’t large enough for the People. “Whereas the B segment, by which the Jeep Avenger competes, is standard in markets reminiscent of Europe, the US client tends to favor automobiles within the midsize and huge SUV segments,” a Jeep model spokesperson tells WIRED. “This is the reason we’re launching different all-electric automobiles, reminiscent of Wagoneer S and Jeep Recon, which is able to compete within the midsize section globally, together with the US.”
This may go some solution to explaining why the Avenger is a Jeep, however not as you realize it. For a begin, it is front-wheel drive. Whereas Jeep will rush to show the EV’s rugged expertise by pointing on the Selec-Terrain traction management system—with its sand, mud, and snow modes—and speaking about hill-descent management and a surprisingly respectable break-over angle afforded by stubby overhangs, even the corporate will ultimately admit that that is an on-road, urban-oriented EV. The Rubicon path isn’t the place it is at for the Avenger, however it is going to mountain-goat over any school-side curb and pace bump that you just care to throw at it.
This about-town focus isn’t any dangerous factor. Actually, one in all WIRED’s favourite issues concerning the Jeep Avenger is that it’s a small automotive. At 4,084 millimeters lengthy and 1,776 millimeters vast, it’s not a lot greater than a VW Polo, even when the bluff styling and better trip peak give extra presence on the highway.
And, regardless of the city-friendly dimensions, it’s obtained respectable sufficient room within the again seats for an average-size grownup to comfortably sit behind one other within the entrance. The dearth of a middle rear armrest could be very annoying, sure, however the largest subject is with the rear seats. That door aperture is slim, and the sill you need to step over is excessive, so it’s simple to journey as you get in.
Area Out
Entry niggles apart, the Avenger’s inside roominess is healthier than within the Vauxhall Mokka-e, and is roughly on par with alternate options just like the MG4. Even the Jeep’s 355-liter boot, with shallow underfloor cable storage, will likely be as much as lugging most households’ on a regular basis stuff round, although it’s price stating that the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born are greater and fairly a bit extra spacious (if not as effectively outfitted) regardless of being an identical worth.
We should always level out that Jeep is a part of the huge constellation of Stellantis manufacturers, which suggests it parts-shares with Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, DS, and extra. Many of those additionally make compact, electrical household SUVs just like the Jeep. So isn’t it simply the identical because the e-2008, DS-3 e-Tense, and Mokka?
Sure and no. The Avenger is among the first Stellantis fashions to get a brand new, closely up to date model of the corporate’s eCMP platform. Known as, predictably, the eCMP2, this platform holds an even bigger, 54-kWh NMC lithium-ion battery that delivers 51-kWh usable capability and has the cells arrayed in another way (largely below the entrance and rear seats) to supposedly enable for higher packaging.
The Avenger additionally will get a brand new, 154-bhp everlasting magnet electrical motor. Dubbed the M3 motor, it’s extra environment friendly than these utilized in earlier eCMP automobiles, plus there’s a warmth pump as customary—reward be, as this can be a dear choice on some rivals.
Actual-World Energy
{Photograph}: Jeep
All of this combines to provide the Avenger a WLTP vary of 249 miles, and my day’s testing advised that it’ll get near that in summertime real-world driving. Over quite a lot of free-flowing nation roads and a few clogged-up city stuff, I managed 4.4 m/kWh, even with a spot of spirited Sport mode utilization thrown in. Good for a real-world vary of 224 miles, so not dangerous.
