Jeep Avenger review

Avenger? This was the name used on Hillman’s Cortina rival in the 1960s. It appeared on the rump of various Rootes Group models before ending up in the hands of Stellantis, which numbers Jeep amongst its brands.

That’s how the Avenger name found its way onto the first-ever all-electric Jeep, which goes on sale in the UK next summer priced from £34,000 to £39,000.

Before you imagine picking your way across the Great American West in the new Avenger let me explain… First this is a B-segment SUV (Europe’s fastest growing market), so it’s small, just 4084mm long. It’s also only front-wheel drive (4×4 is on the way) and has a range of just 249 miles from its 54kWh lithium-ion battery. Oh, and it isn’t going to be sold in the US…

This baby battery Jeep is the acme of style with lots of design nods to the original Willys including the distinctive seven-slot grille. It sits on Stellantis’ eCMP 2 platform and uses its 2nd generation battery chassis, while the AC electric motor is a new 154bhp/184lb ft unit. Top speed is 93mph with 0-62mph in 9sec. It takes 24 minutes for an 80 per cent battery fill on a 100kW DC fast charger and eight hours on a 7.4kW home wall box.

All that grey plastic on the outside makes it supermarket proof and Jeep reckons that’ll save £1000 in paint and dent repair during the car’s life. The cabin feels intimate, but far from cramped. There’s room for a couple of six footers on the well-stuffed rear bench and the boot is 380 litres big and a metre across, though it’s also 720mm off the ground, so old dogs beware.

And it drives well, with good damping control, well-weighted steering and a half-reasonable ride quality. It feels comfortable and a bit special in this class of identical jacked-up superminis. There’s a full undertray and a hill descent control, so while you’d draw the line at mud plugging, if there’s a track there, the Avenger will most likely get through. I quite liked it and considering it’s the first in a series of four new EV Jeeps arriving before 2025, it’s a good portent.

Jeep Avenger

Powertrain: single motor, 54kWh lithium-ion battery

Transmission: single-speed, FWD

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 184lb ft

Weight: 1536kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 100bhp/tonne

0-62mph: 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 93mph

Range: 249 miles (WLTP)

Price: from £34,000

Ti rating 7/10