JEEP AVENGER HATCHBACK 1.2 Altitude 5dr

Is this Avenger the car to save Jeep? Jonathan Crouch drives it and decides.

Ten Second Review

The Avenger is Jeep's first mainstream compact SUV model, a small, fashionable contender that unlike most of its competitors is a bit more SUV than Crossover. It sells mainly as an EV, but is also offered in conventional petrol and 48V Hybrid forms. Virtually all the Stellantis Group engineering here we've seen before, but it's been delivered with a distinctively Jeep vibe.

Background

The Avenger was the first-ever all-electric Jeep and at its launch in late 2022 represented a key milestone for the brand as it aimed to become a world leader in Zero Emissions SUVs. The Avenger name was one we hadn't seen since the Hillman and Chrysler saloons of the Seventies, a badge attached to the first of the brand's EVs, the smallest Jeep ever made and a fresh entry point into the company's product range. Two larger EVs will follow it - the luxury Wagoneer S and the off-road focused Recon - as part of what will be a four-strong line-up of Jeep EVs by 2025, with the whole range fully electric by 2030. Jeep still wants to sell you combustion models too though, so the Avenger range was broadened in late 2023 to include a conventional 1.2-litre petrol model and a 48V Hybrid. With an AWD 4xe 1.2-litre eHybrid version added in late 2024. Whatever their powertrains, all Avengers sit on the same ECMP2 platform as Stellantis Group crossover cousins like the Peugeot 2008, the DS3 and the Vauxhall Mokka, but here that chassis has been adapted for greater ground clearance and a little more off road prowess, even though the car will primarily be sold in front-driven form. It's built at the Group's high-efficiency plant in Tychy, Poland and is positioned just below the familiar Renegade in the Jeep line-up.

Driving Experience

If you're looking at an Avenger in EV form, forward motion comes from a single 154bhp electric motor with 260Nm of torque mounted on the front axle and powered by a 54kWh battery. When fully charged, this offers a range of 249 miles. Expect slightly less than that for the forthcoming 4WD version, which adds a further motor on the rear axle. If you want to stick with combustion power, Jeep will sell you an Avenger with three flavours of 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech petrol engine. One is conventional with 100PS and manual transmission. The other for the Hybrid model uses the same engine paired with a 28bhp electric motor integrated into a bespoke 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The third on the top AWD 4xe variant uses the 1.2-litre unit and dual clutch auto once again, but in 136bhp form mated to a pair of 28bhp motors on each axle. Despite the fact that the Avenger is primarily a front-driven design, Jeep is positioning it as the off-road champion of the EV market's growing SUV B segment. There's a higher ride height (minimum 200mm) than is normal in the class and, thanks to short overhangs that mean better approach and departure angles, it should be more capable off piste than a comparable Renegade 4xe Plug-in Hybrid - and certainly will be in 4xe form. Even with standard models, there are 20-degree breakover and approach angles and a 32-degree departure angle. All of which might sound irrelevant for an urban SUV but which, Jeep says, will make it better suited for dealing with speed humps, high kerbs and steep multi-storey car park ramps; yeah right. An Avenger though, might give you more confidence than its rivals in a snowy snap. This is the first front-driven Jeep fitted with standard Hill Descent Control and 'Selec-Terrain' driving modes: there are six settings - 'Normal', 'Eco', 'Sport', 'Snow' and 'Mud & Sand'.

Design and Build

For some time now, there's been very little indeed that's American about mainstream Jeep models and the Avenger follows that trend. It's the first Jeep to be designed outside the US and won't be sold there, built in Poland and aimed almost entirely at the European market. Despite that, classic brand design cues are everywhere to convince you otherwise; the trapezoidal wheel arches and the shoulder line reference the Willys Jeep of 1941, the 'floating' C-pillar is from the Compass and Grand Cherokee and of course there's the company's usual classic 7-slot front grille (though it's actually closed off, cooling air directed instead beneath the front bumper). At only just over 4-metres in length (16cm shorter than a Renegade), this is the shortest Jeep ever, but there's plenty of pavement presence thanks to at least 200mm of ground clearance, short overhangs and large wheels of up to 18-inches in size. Inside, there's a lean dashboard supposedly inspired by the Wrangler, with an upper part made up of a single horizontal 'function beam', which includes all the air vents, ambient lighting and a central 10.25-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen. Inevitably, another screen resides in the instrument binnacle, of either 7.0 or 10.25-inches in size depending on spec. The lower side of the dash features a wide open storage shell which contributes generously to the 34-litre stowage space total in the cabin - over double the segment average. The centre tunnel can be moved to fit the sizes of various items - or even removed entirely to accommodate larger objects like a handbag. The battery's 17 modules sit beneath both front and rear seats in space designed to improve rear seat legroom, though that's on the tight side as usual in a small B-segment SUV. Out back, the 380-litre boot is reasonably large by class standards (but drops to 355-litres in size with the EV model and the 4xe). It has a low 720mm loading height, a one-metre rear hatch width and the option of hands-free powered tailgate.

Market and Model

For the Hybrid and the EV, there are three trim levels in the mainstream range - 'Longitude', 'Altitude' and 'Summit'. The conventional petrol version is priced from around £24,000. The Hybrid prices from around £26,000, while you'll need from around £35,000 to get an EV version or the top Hybrid AWD 4xe. Even base 'Longitude' spec gets you quite a lot: 16-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlamps and grey skid plates. Inside, there's a 7-inch full digital cluster and cruise control. Safety kit includes features like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keep Assist and Driver Attention Assist. Mid-level 'Altitude'-spec adds 17-inch alloy wheels and silver skid plates. Inside, it gets cloth/vinyl premium seats, a height-adjustable cargo floor and a silver dashboard with interior inserts, complemented by a synthetic leather steering wheel. Additional features such as 10.25-inch full digital cluster, single-zone automatic air conditioning and adaptive cruise control further justify the price premium. Top-spec 'Summit' trim features 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED front projector headlights, keyless entry, rear privacy glass, 360 degree parking sensors, automatic high beam control, power-foldable mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, blind-spot monitoring and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. Inside at this level, you get an electrochromic 'frameless' rear-view mirror, a wireless charger and a 180 degree rear camera with a 'drone view'. Across the Avenger range, there's a choice of seven paint colours and available alloy wheels range in size between 16 and 18-inches. Around 100 accessories are available, including graphics for the roof and flanks. This should mean that it'll be easily possible to ensure that your Avenger looks like no other.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the driving range figure from the EV model's 54kWh battery (51kWh usable) in our driving section - 249 miles - though Jeep claims that this could rise to as much as 342 miles in urban driving conditions. The battery can recharge from 20-80% in 24 minutes via a 100kW cable when hooked up to a suitably rapid charger. Just 3 minutes on such a fast charger would add 80 miles of range and 24 minutes could get the battery from 20 to 80%. Energy efficiency is rated at 5.0 miles per kWh. Under the Jeep brand's 'Freedom to Choose' initiative that allows the customer to find the most suitable charging solution, customers here can choose a wall box for domestic charging and/or an RFID card for public charging. As for the combustion versions, well the conventional 1.2-litre petrol model should return up to 49.6mpg and 127g/km of CO2. For the Hybrid model, think 57.6mpg and 111g/km. Away from powertrain efficiency, Jeep has also given some thought about how to reduce damage caused by low speed impacts, which make up around 70% of accident cases in Europe. With that in mind, the Avenger's headlamps are encased and positioned high up away from low speed impacts. And the skid plates are made of a polymer mould which doesn't show visible scratches. In exposed areas like the doors, cladding is set high to offer extra protection. Thanks to these additions, the brand estimates the customer could reduce potential accident damage costs by up to around £1,000. Like other Jeep models, this one comes with a dedicated Jeep Customer Care service where a team of expertly trained agents will be available 24/7 to answer any questions about your journey.

Summary

For a brand that wants to lead the all-electric SUV market, Jeep has had a late start, but we can now expect full-battery models thick and fast from the marque for the rest of this decade. Few of which will be more significant than the Avenger. It competes in a segment now accounting for 20% of all European sales and the company hopes it will be key to correcting its lacklustre sales performance in markets such as ours. There's a chance that might happen. The brief here - to create a fun, boxy Jeep that can be all-electric - has been delivered with the kind of flair likely customers will be looking for. And if you don't want an EV, the Hybrid version's a potentially preferrable alternative. Either way, the Avenger's 'Selec-Terrain' system delivers the kind of poor weather driving confidence that most of this car's competitors lack. You could argue of course that for all kinds of reasons, it's not 'a real Jeep'. But there's no question that it's really what the brand needs right now.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

All power windows express Up/Down

Rear wiper

Brakes

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

ESC - Electronic Stability Control + traction control

Electric parking brake

Hill descent control

Communication

Telematic box and connected services

Apple Carplay/Android Auto with wireless mirroring

BSRF connectivity box

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Rear parking sensors

Rear view camera with dynamic grid lines

Warranty Booklet - UK

Quick Guide English

180 Degree rear camera with drone view

All-Terrain Mode Selector

(AEB) Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition

Power assisted steering

Lane keep assist

Adaptive cruise control

Traffic sign recognition

Driver Convenience

Keyless Start/Engine On Button

Driver Information

Odometer

10.25" Full TFT reconfigurable colour cluster

Connectivity services

Drowsy driver detection system

Driving Mirrors

Heated electric door mirrors

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Gloss black mirror caps

Heated and electrically folding outside mirrors

Engine

High efficiency alternator

Battery default

Entertainment

Rear USB port with type-C charging

Exterior Body Features

Silver skid plates

Body Colour Exterior Door Handles

Rear side wing doors

Exterior Lights

LED reflector headlamps

3rd brake light

Halogen rear lights

Automatic headlights

Automatic high/low beam

Day time running light

LED Fog lamps with cornering function

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic A/C (1 Zone)

Interior Features

Front passenger grab handle

Synthetic leather steering wheel

Front seat backrest pocket

Central console dividers x2

I am Jeep label

Height adjustable cargo floor

Front central armrest with storage

Safety

Child locks on rear doors

Kit fix and go predisposition/housing only

Three 3 point rear seatbelts

Rear seat ISOFIX

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Foldable second row seats 40/60 - Fix and Fold

Front passenger isofix child seat attachment

3 rear headrests

Single front passenger seat

Front head restraints

Security

Volumetric anti theft alarm

Towing

Wiring preperation for towing group by Mopar

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and front passenger sunvisor with vanity mirror

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 130

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 133

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 132

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 130

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 133

Engine and Drive Train

Gears: 6 SPEED

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 12

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Transmission: MANUAL

CC: 1199

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 49.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 48.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.7

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.8

General

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 70

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 23E

Service Interval Mileage: 16000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 62500

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: 72

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 79

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 59

NCAP Safety Assist %: 53

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 3

Badge Power: 100

Badge Engine CC: 1.2

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Coin Series: Altitude

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.6

Top Speed: 114

Engine Power - BHP: 100

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 74

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 151

Engine Torque - MKG: 20.9

Engine Torque - NM: 205

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 215/60 R17

Tyre Size Front: 215/50 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/50 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/60 R17

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 1981

Height: 1536

Width: 1776

Length: 4084

Wheelbase: 2557

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1180

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1680

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1200

Max. Loading Weight: 500

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 321

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1277

Exterior Body Features

Special solid paint

Metallic paint

Bicolour metallic paint

Bicolour solid paint

Open glass sunroof with manual velum

Packs

Infotainment and convenience pack - Avenger

Winter pack with heated front seats- Avenger

Leather and winter package - Avenger

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Granite

Metallic - Sun

Metallic - Stone

Paint - Solid

Solid - Ruby

Paint - Special

Bicolour solid - Storm grey with volcano roof

Special solid - Storm grey

Bicolour metallic - Granite grey with Volcano roof

Bicolour solid - Snow white with volcano roof

Bicolour solid - Ruby red with volcano roof

Special solid - Volcano black

Bicolour metallic - Sun yellow with Volcano roof

Bicolour metallic - Stone grey with volcano roof

Special solid - Snow white

Trim - Cloth

Cloth/Vinyl - Robin with grey fabric/vinyl scuba bolster and mic black dashboard

Trim - Leather

Leather and winter package - Black with grey stitching

Wheels - Alloy

17" Alloy wheel painted with all seasons chainable