Jeep Avenger

It seems a long time ago now that the Avenger was launched in EV-only form.

The EV version continues of course, unchanged from before, but with this update, the main news is that the two combustion hybrid models are now joined by an all-new un-electrified 'Turbo 100' pure petrol variant.

This entry-level derivative has a completely different powerplant from the 1.2-litre base PureTech 110hp model that was offered earlier in the production cycle, this replacement starter Avenger variant using a 98bhp 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol unit not previously seen.

It offers 205Nm of torque, is mated to 6-speed manual transmission, uses a new turbocharger, has a higher compression ratio with more efficient Miller cycle operation and offers a more robust timing chain system. Elsewhere in the line-up, the engineering is unchanged.

We'll start with the EV version, which continues to use a single 154bhp electric motor with 260Nm of torque mounted on the front axle and powered by a 54kWh battery.

When fully charged, this offers a range of 249 miles. The mainstream alternative is the combustion e-Hybrid, which pairs a familiar three cylinder 1.2-litre Stellantis-sourced 110hp petrol engine with a 28hp electric motor integrated into a bespoke 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The top AWD 4xe variant uses that 1.2-litre unit and dual clutch auto package once again, but in 136hp form mated to a pair of 28bhp motors on each axle. Despite the fact that the Avenger is primarily a front-driven design, Jeep is continuing to position it as the off-road champion of the EV market's growing SUV B segment.

There's a higher ride height (minimum 200mm) than is normal in the class and, thanks to short overhangs that mean better approach and departure angles, it should be more capable off piste than a comparable Renegade 4xe Plug-in Hybrid.

There are 20-degree breakover and approach angles and a 32-degree departure angle.

All of which might sound irrelevant for an urban SUV but which, Jeep says, will make it better suited for dealing with speed humps, high kerbs and steep multi-storey car park ramps; yeah right.

An Avenger though, might give you more confidence than its rivals in a snowy snap.

This was the first front-driven Jeep fitted with standard Hill Descent Control and 'Selec-Terrain' driving modes: there are six settings - 'Normal', 'Eco', 'Sport', 'Snow' and 'Mud & Sand'.

You'd have to know the Avenger pretty well to spot the visual changes made to this updated version.

As part of this light facelift, there's more prominent plastic cladding and skid plates; and redesigned 17 or 18-inch wheels.

Stretch to plush 'Summit' trim and your Avenger will come with new Matrix LED headlights and a restyled de-chromed illuminated version of the brand's iconic seven-slot front grille.

The top 4xe versions now stand out a bit more with red exterior accents. Otherwise, the design is as before.

This was the first Jeep to be designed outside the US (and isn't sold there), built in Poland and aimed almost entirely at the European market.

Despite that, classic brand design cues are everywhere to convince you otherwise; the trapezoidal wheel arches and the shoulder line reference the Willys Jeep of 1941, while the 'floating' C-pillar is from the Compass and Grand Cherokee.

At only just over 4-metres in length (16cm shorter than a Renegade), this is the shortest Jeep ever, but there's plenty of pavement presence thanks to at least 200mm of ground clearance, short overhangs and large wheels of up to 18-inches in size. Inside with this updated model, Jeep claims to have improved cabin quality, adding smarter soft-touch surfaces on the doors and lower dashboard.

The drive mode selector is now rubber-finished to make it easier to find by touch; and with top spec, there's a new 360-degree camera system.

The screen tech gets new software, but looks the same as before, focused around a central 10.25-inch Uconnect infotainment monitor.

Inevitably, another display resides in the instrument binnacle, of either 7.0 or 10.25-inches in size depending on spec. Otherwise, all is as before.

The lower side of the dash features a wide open storage shell which contributes generously to the 34-litre stowage space total in the cabin - over double the segment average.

The centre tunnel can be moved to fit the sizes of various items - or even removed entirely to accommodate larger objects like a handbag.

The battery's 17 modules sit beneath both front and rear seats in space designed to improve rear seat legroom, though that's on the tight side as usual in a small B-segment SUV.

Out back, the 380-litre boot is reasonably large by class standards and has a low 720mm loading height, a one-metre rear hatch width and the option of hands-free powered tailgate.

There are three trim levels in the mainstream range - 'Longitude', 'Altitude' and 'Summit'.

Ther base petrol version is priced from around £27,000, while the e-Hybrid costs from just under £28,000 and the 4XE Hybrid from just under £32,000.

For the Electric version, prices start from just over £30,000. Even base 'Longitude' spec gets you quite a lot: 16-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlamps and grey skid plates.

Inside, there's a 7-inch full digital cluster and cruise control.

Safety kit includes features like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keep Assist and Driver Attention Assist. Mid-level 'Altitude'-spec adds 17-inch alloy wheels and silver skid plates.

Inside, it gets cloth/vinyl premium seats, a height-adjustable cargo floor and a silver dashboard with interior inserts, complemented by a synthetic leather steering wheel.

Additional features such as 10.25-inch full digital cluster, single-zone automatic air conditioning and adaptive cruise control further justify the price premium.

Top-spec 'Summit' trim features 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED front projector headlights, keyless entry, rear privacy glass, 360 degree parking sensors, automatic high beam control, power-foldable mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, blind-spot monitoring and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities.

Inside at this level, you get an electrochromic 'frameless' rear-view mirror, a wireless charger and a 180 degree rear camera with a 'drone view'. Across the Avenger range, there's a choice of seven paint colours and available alloy wheels range in size between 16 and 18-inches.

Around 100 accessories are available, including graphics for the roof and flanks.

This should mean that it'll be easily possible to ensure that your Avenger looks like no other.

We gave you the driving range figure from the EV model's 54kWh battery (51kWh usable) in our driving section - 249 miles - though Jeep claims that this could rise to as much as 342 miles in urban driving conditions.

The battery can recharge from 20-80% in 24 minutes via a 100kW cable when hooked up to a suitably rapid charger.

Just 3 minutes on such a fast charger would add 80 miles of range and 24 minutes could get the battery from 20 to 80%.

Energy efficiency is rated at 5.0 miles per kWh.

Under the Jeep brand's 'Freedom to Choose' initiative that allows the customer to find the most suitable charging solution, customers here can choose a wall box for domestic charging and/or an RFID card for public charging. As for the combustion versions, well the conventional 1.2-litre petrol model should return up to around 50mpg and about 130g/km of CO2.

For the e-Hybrid model, think 57.6mpg and 111g/km.

The 4xe e-Hybrid model is rated at 52.3mpg on the combined cycle and 122g/km of CO2. Away from powertrain efficiency, Jeep has also given some thought about how to reduce damage caused by low speed impacts, which make up around 70% of accident cases in Europe.

With that in mind, the Avenger's headlamps are encased and positioned high up away from low speed impacts.

And the skid plates are made of a polymer mould which doesn't show visible scratches.

In exposed areas like the doors, cladding is set high to offer extra protection.

Thanks to these additions, the brand estimates the customer could reduce potential accident damage costs by up to around £1,000.

Like other Jeep models, this one comes with a dedicated Jeep Customer Care service where a team of expertly trained agents will be available 24/7 to answer any questions about your journey. Models fitted with the new Turbo 100 petrol engine will benefit from an optimised maintenance schedule, with a single service every 2 years/15,500 miles (previously every 1 year/ 12,500 miles) and an annual interim check.

We can see why the Avenger has sold quite well for its maker.

The brief here - to create a fun, boxy Jeep that can be all-electric - has been delivered with the kind of flair likely customers will be looking for.

And if you don't want an EV, the various combustion versions offer sensible alternatives.

Either way, the Avenger's 'Selec-Terrain' system delivers the kind of poor weather driving confidence that most of this car's competitors lack. The fact is though that this attribute isn't one usually prioritised by on-trend customers in this growing segment.

People more likely to want space and practicality; and a comfortable on-tarmac driving experience.

These are both areas in which, to be frank, the Avenger still falls short in comparison to its most obvious segment rivals outside of competing Stellantis Group brand models.

If you're looking at the EV version, you can get a lot more power for this kind of outlay too. For all that though, there's plenty here you might like, especially in this updated model.

We can't help respecting the company for making at least some attempt to preserve traditional rough road brand virtues here - and in doing so, they've given the car a unique selling point in its segment, even if it's not a particularly significant one.

You could still argue of course that for all kinds of reasons, this isn't 'a real Jeep'.

But there's no question that it's really what the brand needs right now.