For our first in-depth test of the Jeep Avenger, Car of the Year 2023, we traveled to Italy, where everything began. The car from the American brand was designed in Turin and is produced in Poland along with its “cousins” that share the same platform.
The Jeep Avenger is available exclusively in electric for the Scandinavian markets, given the strong expansion of this powertrain, with prices starting from 279,990 DKK, 469,900 SEK, and 349,900 NOK.
Jeep Avenger: Our tops & flops
The Jeep Avenger is a small SUV designed for the city, featuring attractive design and good build quality. It may not be the most economical on the market, but it brings the Jeep DNA into an entirely new context for the first time. It lacks all-wheel drive, but there are various driving modes designed for light off-road use. The construction is robust, and the interior materials are quite good. Perhaps the rear space is not the most generous, but we are still talking about a compact car, and we hope for some increase in autonomy in the future.
What we like
- Robust construction;
- Interiors’ high quality;
- Good driving experience;
What we don’t like
- Backspace could be better;
- The range is not at the top;
- 360 camera is not at the best quality
Design rich in details
I will briefly touch on the design of the vehicle. Which, nevertheless, is convincing: in my opinion, it is the most successful, in terms of design, among the SUVs born on this platform.
A car that exudes robustness, well-crafted in terms of assembly and finishes, in line with what the brand has been offering lately, which is putting a lot of effort into improving the quality, both perceived and general, of its products.
A Jeep immediately recognizable, as shown by the 7 classic grilles, here closed as it is an EV, and with a very impactful front. Square and dark headlights, with slim LED daytime running lights, make the Avenger particularly recognizable. In the back, a more classic choice, with a curved tailgate, but still pleasant.
It’s the details that distinguish the car. For example, on the windshield, a stylized boy looking at the stars through a telescope appears. On the roof bars, there is a ladybug, on the wheels, the seven stylized Jeep grilles, which also appear on the lower honeycomb grille and inside. They may seem like small details, but in my opinion, they contribute to giving the car its identity.
Well-made interiors
Nothing to complain about the interiors – and given the price, I would have been surprised otherwise – which are very well done. I particularly like the tubular design dashboard, with the “Jeep” inscription in relief on the side in hard plastic, and “Avenger” on the colored part, with a matte and almost satin finish that visually elevates the quality of the car.
The leather seats in the Summit trim are not only comfortable but also very pleasant, as is the soft covering of the steering wheel. There are hard plastics, especially on the central tunnel and lower areas, but it’s normal for this car segment. I appreciate the storage capacity, both for the quite spacious trunk (355 liters) and the interior compartments, which add an extra 40 liters and are very useful.
The updated infotainment system is excellent, with dedicated graphics. In particular, the matte display behind the steering wheel is appreciated, while the central 10.25” one is glossy. It reflects some light and dust, but it’s not a big deal.
The system, on the other hand, is fluid and easy to use, with wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that connect quite quickly. Better, so we can use Waze or Google Maps as an alternative to the integrated TomTom navigator, which might work better.
It’s clear that it enjoys going out
The Jeep Avenger is designed primarily for the city. This is demonstrated by both its dimensions and technical features, with 156 horsepower from the single electric motor and a 54 kWh battery that provides 400 km of range on the WLTP cycle. In urban driving, in our test, we even exceeded this, and this is because the car is well-balanced in terms of weight and, in general, does not have a massive weight.
In mixed/highway driving, we reached around 300 km, making it ideal for day trips. However, its charging speed allows it to recover 80% in about 30 minutes, so you can plan longer routes if desired, but we are not talking about a car designed to cover too many kilometers all at once, not even in its gasoline version.
Despite not having all-wheel drive, the driving modes still allow you to slightly modify the suspension with Sand, Mud, and Gravel for light off-road, emphasizing the brand’s spirit. And besides, with the typical electric torque and its compact shape, it is quite suitable for occasional off-road excursions. Moreover, for extra-urban journeys, two people can travel comfortably with everything they need, just as four adults are always comfortable for a weekend getaway or during holidays.
The Sport mode is perhaps the most satisfying, as it allows for a sufficiently lively driving experience, taking advantage of a fairly responsive steering, and at the same time, a good road presence, thanks to the low center of gravity typical of this type of car, which is particularly enjoyable on hilly and mountainous curves. Satisfaction increases when descending from the mountains, where the car not only does not consume but also recovers much of what it has lost when climbing. One of the best aspects of electric power.
Also in terms of safety, the Avenger is among the best in its category, and for this reason, it has earned its title. It indeed features level 2 autonomous driving, with traffic jam assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Centering, but also some systems usually reserved for more off-road-oriented Jeeps, such as Hill Descent Control, useful even when it’s raining. There is also the Blind Spot Monitor, fog lights, and standard 360° parking sensors with a camera (the latter could be improved). All of these are standard on the Summit trim in the test.
