Let’s begin with three crucial issues value mentioning about Jeep’s Avenger. One, that is Jeep’s very first absolutely electrical automobile. Two, it has already been named European Automotive of the Yr for 2023. Three—and considerably staggeringly, contemplating these first two important particulars—it is not happening sale within the US.
Why? Jeep thinks it is not large enough for the Individuals. “Whereas the B phase, wherein the Jeep Avenger competes, is widespread in markets comparable to Europe, the US client tends to favor automobiles within the midsize and huge SUV segments,” a Jeep model spokesperson tells WIRED. “Because of this we’re launching different all-electric automobiles, comparable to Wagoneer S and Jeep Recon, which is able to compete within the midsize phase globally, together with the US.”
This would possibly go some option to explaining why the Avenger is a Jeep, however not as you recognize 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 first rate 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’ll 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 unhealthy factor. In actual fact, one in all WIRED’s favourite issues in regards to the Jeep Avenger is that it’s a small automobile. At 4,084 millimeters lengthy and 1,776 millimeters huge, it’s not a lot greater than a VW Polo, even when the bluff styling and better experience top give extra presence on the highway.
And, regardless of the city-friendly dimensions, it’s received first rate sufficient room within the again seats for an average-size grownup to comfortably sit behind one other within the entrance. The shortage of a middle rear armrest may be very annoying, sure, however the greatest difficulty is with the rear seats. That door aperture is slim, and the sill you need to step over is excessive, so it’s straightforward 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 probably be as much as lugging most households’ on a regular basis stuff round, although it’s value declaring that the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born are greater and fairly a bit extra spacious (if not as nicely geared up) regardless of being the same value.
We should always level out that Jeep is a part of the huge constellation of Stellantis manufacturers, which implies 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. Referred to as, predictably, the eCMP2, this platform holds a much bigger, 54-kWh NMC lithium-ion battery that delivers 51-kWh usable capability and has the cells arrayed in a different way (largely beneath the entrance and rear seats) to supposedly permit 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 commonplace—reward be, as it is 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 urged 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 unhealthy.