While an off-road brand at heart, Jeep has produced its fair share of compact SUVs over the years with the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee offering good value off-road-capable alternatives to the softer options on the market. It makes sense then that the brand would unveil its first fully electric vehicle, not as a Wrangler or Rubicon, but as a vehicle smaller SUV suited to everyday tasks like grocery shopping and school drop-off.
What they’ve created is the new Jeep Avenger. Designed and built in Europe, it’s set to arrive in Australia in Q4 of this year, priced from $53,990 plus on-road costs. It will take on the likes of the Renault Megane E-Tech and the plethora of Chinese-made EVs now in Australia, think MG 4 and BYD Atto 3.
Boiler-plate items start with an electric range of up to 396km (WLTP) from a 54 kWh battery that supports fast charging at up to 100 kW DC (20 to 80% charge takes 24 minutes). Power is sent to the front wheels only and is marked at 115 kW and 260 Nm of torque. These numbers are competitive, but they’re in no way class-leading, at least on paper. We’ll reserve our judgment for when we drive the vehicle.
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The cabin is now typical of what you find in the competitors on the market. It starts with a large touchscreen that measures 10.25 inches and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is paired with a standard full digital cluster available in two variants (7 and 10.25 inches) depending on the model grade. We love the pop of colour across the upper dashboard and the simplicity of the centre console.
While it’s a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the Avenger comes with Selec-Terrain and Hill Descent Control, which, combined with 200mm ground clearance, 20 degrees of approach angle, and 32 degrees departure angle, is said to make a vehicle with ‘unexpected off-road capability’ for the segment.
Although, it seems Jeep is pulling at heartstrings with that suggestion and we wouldn’t be taking it anywhere near off-road tracks ourselves. That is until the all-wheel-drive, 48V Mild-hybrid powered, Jeep Avenger 4xe is brought to the global market. However, nothing has been confirmed for the Australian market for that vehicle.
What’s more impressive than any off-road ability (or inability) is the efficiency of the electric motors and powertrain. The range might be below average for this price point, but it’s an efficient 396km (WLTP) as it’s capable of achieving that figure with a small 54 kWh battery. For reference, the Chinese-made MG 4 can only manage 350 kilometres with a 51 kWh battery.
The energy consumption at 15.6 kWh per 100 km in the WLTP cycle is impressive, mostly due to the overall weight of the vehicle, which is listed at 1,520 kilograms, but it’s also aerodynamic for a box with a drag coefficient as low as 0.33. We’d expect realistic range numbers, even at highway speeds.
You can have your Jeep Avenger (from $53,990 plus on-road costs) in a range of fun colours: Ruby (red), Volcano (black), Stone (sand grey), Lake (light blue) Sun, Granite, and Snow. All of which can be combined with a black roof on certain trim levels.
Click the link below to build your own Avenger, or continue reading for a full list of trim levels and grades in Australia.
Jeep Avenger Model Range in Australia
Longitude – Entry Level
- 17” Silver Gloss Alloy Wheels
- “Digital Jane” Cloth Seats
- TechnoLeather steering wheel
- 10.25” Infotainment Display
- 7” Full Digital Cluster
- Keyless Go
- 6-Way Manual Driver Seat Adjustment
- 4-Way Passenger Seat Adjustment
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Lane Keep Assist
- Driver Attention Assist
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Rear View Camera with Dynamic Guide Lines
- Frameless Auto Dimming Mirror
- Automatic High Beam
- Hill Descent Control
- Selec-Terrain
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Jeep Connected Services
- Mode 3 Charge Cable
- 7kW AC Onboard Charger
Limited – Mid-Level
- 17” Silver Gloss Alloy Wheels
- Cloth & TechnoLeather Seats
- 10.25” Full Digital Cluster
- Wireless Charging Pad
- 2nd Row USB
- Traffic Sign Information
- Satellite Navigation
- Hands-Free Power Liftgate
- Passive Entry
- 11kW AC Onboard Charger
- Power & Heated Exterior Mirrors with Auto Folding Function and Puddle Lamp
- Front, Side & Rear Parking Sensors
- Height Adjustable Cargo Floor
Summit – Top of the Range
- 18” Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels
- Leather Accented Seats
- 6-Way Power Driver Seat Adjustment with 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
- Massaging Driver Seat
- 6-Way Manual Passenger Seat Adjustment
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Windshield
- Privacy Glass
- LED Projector Headlamps
- LED Taillamps
- LED Foglamps with Cornering Function
- Glossy Black 7 Slot Grille
- Bi-Colour Roof
- Sunroof
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