Electric Cars

How good is the 2023 European Car of the Year? We test the new £35,000 Jeep Avenger EV on UK roads

Fox News September 20, 2023

The word ‘Avenger’ will conjure up images of modern superheroes like Iron Man or Thor, or suave British bowler-hatted secret agent John Steed from TVs swinging 1960s.

But there is now a new Avenger on the block – the Jeep Avenger – the first all-electric vehicle from the US motor company which began life building rugged 4X4s for the military during World War 2.

It’s already picked up a slew of awards, including European Car of the Year 2023. But is it deserving of such gongs? We’ve driven one on UK roads to find out.

Depending on your age, the word ‘Avenger’ will conjure up in your mind one of two images. For the younger readers, it will be the series of hit superhero films (left), while for the slightly older ones amongst us will picture the 1960s hit TV series (right, pictured Diana Rigg as Emma Peel)

However, the Avenger we’re talking about here is the new Jeep. And it’s the brand’s first electric vehicle to hit showrooms

Apart from being fully electric, the new Jeep does also confound some other expectations. It’s certainly deceptive on the eye.

In photographs it looks quite large and chunky, though with a low-slung demeanour.

But in reality and in the metal it’s about the size of a compact hatchback – sharing some of the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric but with a completely different feel and measuring 4.08 metres long, 1.78m wide, 1.53m tall.

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Despite the links, there are still more than 600 unique Avenger components stresses Jeep.

Some 60 per cent of parts are NOT in other models from the parent Stellantis group, it hastily points out.

Also, despite being a very strongly American brand, the new Jeep Avenger was actually designed, developed and produced in Europe, for the European market, and is built in Tychy, Poland.

Jeep is also strongly associated with tough adventurous types heading out across American plains and rocky mountains.

Yet the new Avenger is more of an urban creature at heart, but with owners who after a week of commuting in town still want a leisure vehicle for relaxing in at weekends.

So far the 20,000-plus order bank for Avenger comprises mainly ‘young, active, connected and eco-conscious drivers’, says Jeep, further explaining: ‘Most live in urban areas and often travel to rural environments at weekends.’

Overall, one in five buyers are expected to be under 35 years of age, with one in three under 45. And four out of ten (40 per cent) are female.

Incredibly, nine out of ten will be new to the ‘Jeep family’, with the largest segment – 40 per cent – predicted to be existing B-segment SUV owners, and quarter likely to switch from B-segment hatchbacks.

While it might look large in these pictures, the Jeep Avenger is about the size of a compact hatchback – sharing some of the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric

Jeep dates back to WW2 when it produced off-road vehicles for the war effort. But this new Avenger can only do a limited amount of non-tarmac driving as it’s only available in front wheel drive

Also going against the grain is the fact it doesn’t – yet – have full all-wheel drive. It’s an odd sales pitch for a brand that’s synonymous with being a rugged, off-road vehicle maker.

Early models are front-wheel drive only, though a four-wheel drive version is promised in the pipeline.

Nevertheless, it boasts class-leading off-road capability thanks to 200mm ground clearance and a higher riding stance that allows a 20° approach angle, a 20° breakover angle, a 32° departure angle.

All-round 360° cladding covers bumpers, sills, headlamps and wheel arches to protect the vehicle both on- and off-road – and ironically, especially , especially in urban areas, where Jeep says 70 per cent of low-speed accidents occur.

Daily Mail Motoring Editor Ray Massey pictured with the Jeep Avenger, which is smaller in the flesh than images might portray

Is the Jeep Avenger quick? Power comes from a combination of a 54kWh battery and 115kW (156hp) electric motor. Zero to 62mph takes 9.6 seconds and the top speed is 93mph

What’s the Jeep Avenger like to drive…on UK roads?

The new zero-emissions Jeep is powered by a 54kWh battery pack which drives a 115kW (156hp) electric motor that allows the front-wheel drive vehicle to accelerate from rest to 62mph in 9.6 seconds up to a top speed and a 93mph.

And it is surprisingly fun to drive giving unexpected Jeep thrills.

Will it fit in my garage? New Avenger Jeep

On sale: now

Price: from £35,700

Length: 4,084mm

Height: 1,528mm

Width (incl mirrors): 1,981mm

Wheelbase: 2,562mm

Kerb weight: 1,615kg

Drive: electric motor/front-wheel drive

Power: 156hp (115kWh)

Battery: 54kWh

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.6 seconds

Top speed: 93mph

CO2 emissions: Zero

Charging times:

– 100kW DC to 80per cent: 24mins

– 11kW AC to 100per cent: 5h 34 mins

– 7.4kW AC to 100per cent: 7h 58 mins

Boot capacity, rear seats up: 341 litres

Boot capacity, rear seats down: 1,053 litres

On paper, acceleration is far from scintillating, yet out on the road it it feels much feistier.

The Avenger is very well fettled. It has a fair pace cruising on the motorway, is very responsive in town, and grippy on twisty country lanes. There’s a real hot-hatch feel.

But above all it feels energising, And simply fun. It puts a smile on your face.

I kept mine in the ‘B’ drive mode most of the time, allowing me to do one-pedal driving, which brakes when you take your foot off the accelerator and generates extra on-board regenerative electricity.

Also, it just looks different to much else out there and stands out from a sporty crowd. I love the vibrant colours.

There’s a protective ring of plastic around the exterior to help with inevitable bumps and scratches. But it doesn’t look out of place.

Jeep claims a fully-charged range of up to 248 miles – which should be enough to get you from London to the Yorkshire Dales.

The new Jeep Avenger comes in three trim levels – Longitude (costing from £35,700), Altitude (£37,400) and top of the range Summit (£39,600) which I drove.

My Jeep was in a fetching golden shade called ‘Sun’ with a dual-tone black roof, privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels. Depending on spec, other paint options include solid Graphite and Volcano, lake, Ruby Snow and Stone, plus some dual tone options.

For versatility and flexibility there are six drive modes: Sport, Normal, Eco, Sand, Mud, and Snow.

Both these and Hill Descent Control come as standard and both make their debuts on a front-wheel drive Jeep.

Standard driving aids and systems from entry-level Longitude trim includes intelligent speed assistant, lane departure warning, lane support system, automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, traffic sign recognition, drowsy driver detection.

Despite the relatively small size, the cabin for driver and front passenger is still pretty spacious

The Avenger boasts ‘best-in-class cubby storage’, totalling 34 litre of space. However, the room in the back is a little limited

Enough boot space for 2,443 rubber ducks…

Despite the relatively small size, the cabin for driver and front passenger is still pretty spacious.

It looks tighter in the back from rear passengers but clever seat design means there’s still decent – though not generous – legroom for those in the back.

It also boasts the ‘best-in-class cubby storage’ – totalling 34 litres – with a 341-litre boot.

‘That’s enough room for 2,443 rubber ducks’ says Jeep, which made a few of them available to inspect.

There’s a generous level of standard equipment.

Inside the smart easy-clean interior with sporty seats is a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system

‹ Slide me ›

Boot capacity is 341 litres. ‘That’s enough room for 2,443 rubber ducks’ says Jeep, which made a few of them available to inspect

Inside the smart easy-clean interior with sporty seats is a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, voice recognition, 360° parking sensors, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition, and intelligent speed assist.

One quirky twist is the tablet-style magnet foldable cover over the storage binnacle in the centre console.

Other features include a hands-free power liftgate.

Adding to consumer choice – and expense – are seven different option packs including for Winter, ADAS advanced driver assistance systems, Infotainment & Convenience, and Tech & Style. It can also be customised with a suite of Mopar brand accessories.

Fastest charging time is 24 minutes to 80% with a 100kW DC fast-charger. Charging to 100% with an 11kW AC charger takes 5h 34 mins, and 7h 58 mins with a domestic 7.4kW AC wallbox

Fastest charging time is 24 minutes to 80 per cent with a 100kW DC fast-charger.

Here a three minutes charge provides around 19 miles of range while 62 miles takes nine minutes.

Charging to 100 per cent with an 11kW AC charger takes 5h 34 mins, and 7h 58 mins with a domestic 7.4kW AC wallbox.

Where is Iron Man’s tiny portable electricity-generating nuclear ‘arc reactor’ when you need it, hey?

Is it a worthy winner of the European Car of the Year 2023 award? Ray Massey certainly thinks so…

Jeep Avenger: The Cars & Motoring verdict

The big question remains, is Jeep’s first EV effort a worthy winner of the European Car of the Year award for this term?

While it may not be ground breaking, it is a welcome break from the predictable. It dares to be different, and should be applauded for it.

The Avenger has presence, character and a touch of rugged swagger. And it really feels fun.

The creators of the original wartime Wilys Jeep would be amazed how far their battle-hardened military vehicle has come in more than eight decades.

Taking all this into account and having driven the Avenger on UK roads, I believe it really is a worthy winner of one of motoring’s biggest annual awards.

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