Test drive of the Jeep Avenger: petrol, hybrid or electric? We know exactly which one we'd pick

Jeep, didn’t want to fall behind with a car set to be a bestseller, and for Spain and Italy, where electric cars never quite took off (and still haven’t), it made a petrol version. That version worked out so well that people in neighbouring countries were crossing the border to buy the Avenger with a combustion engine. And they did so for good reasons and solid grounds: it’s cheaper, more classic, with a six-speed manual gearbox and more range. Exactly what Jeep considered necessary to make this model a more affordable option, positioning it as the entry point to the Jeep range.

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The Jeep Avenger is an urban SUV, positioned as the smallest model in the brand’s line-up, even behind the Compass or Renegade in size. We already saw how they presented its fully electric version last year and now, a few weeks ago, its hybrid version with the same engine as the petrol version: a turbocharged three-cylinder that, for just 2,000 euros more, offers that reduction in consumption and the ECO label instead of the C of the petrol version.

The Jeep Avenger was launched in 2023 and has become the brand’s best-selling model on the Spanish market, accounting for around 50% of Jeep sales, compared with 25% for the Renegade and 22% for the Compass, models that use the 1.5 Turbo 4-cylinder combustion engine, which delivers 130 CV.

There’s also another version available, making three in total: the Avenger Electric, with a ZERO label and a range of up to 400 km on the WLTP cycle, thanks to a 54 kWh battery and a motor with a power output of 115 kW (156 CV). This same year, the Avenger 4xe will join these three versions. We already know it’s based on the Avenger e-Hybrid, but in this case with a 136 CV combustion engine and an additional electric motor on the rear axle. Its price starts at around 15,300 and 16,300 euros, respectively, more than the petrol version.

Exterior design

The Avenger is truly a Jeep, yet different too. It keeps the seven-slot front grille, like the original 1941 Willys, slots that on models such as the Compass are fitted with ventilation grilles. They’ve created a model with a very attractive, muscular exterior look, with well-defined wheel arches and clean lines to match the two-tone paintwork. The bodywork is available in seven colours, three pastel and four metallic, plus two-tone trim with a Volcano roof on the higher versions.

It was developed on the basis of the e-CMP2 platform of the Stellantis group, the same one used by other cars such as the DS 3, the Peugeot 2008 and the Opel Mokka. It measures 4.08 metres long, 1.78 wide and 1.53 tall, which is 15.2, 2.9 and 16.4 centimetres less than a Jeep Renegade. The boot has electric opening. Boot capacity varies by engine: the petrol Avenger has 380 litres and the electric Avenger has 355. The rear seats split 60:40 and it has two false floors with a small compartment about 8 centimetres high.

There are numerous storage spaces, 34 litres in total, spread across different areas. Equipment can include things like leather-upholstered seats with heating and ventilation. The 10.25-inch instrument cluster screen is standard (pictured), except on the base trim (Longitude), where it is only available as an option (the base car comes with a smaller 7-inch unit). The multimedia system screen is standard, touch-sensitive and 10.1 inches, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The headlights use LED technology for low beam only, not high beam, except on the most expensive version, which has LEDs for both functions as well as the tail lights.

Test and opinion: petrol or hybrid?

The entry-level Avenger uses the PureTech 1.2 Turbo 3-cylinder with 100 CV, and is only available with a manual gearbox. It’s a model that performs its duties well both on the road and in town, and is pleasant to drive. It comes with Goodyear tyres that grip very well, with fairly well-contained body roll. As mentioned, the hybrid version is also available, for just 2,000€ more. This 101 CV e-Hybrid has a 29 CV electric motor coupled to the dual-clutch automatic gearbox, a combination that improves consumption and comfort.

It is not a conventional hybrid like the Kia Niro HEV or Toyota Yaris Cross, which have greater capacity to run in electric mode because their batteries are larger and/or their motors more powerful. Nor is it a mild hybrid like the Ford Puma MHEV or Kia Stonic MHEV, whose electric motors cannot move the car independently. Here, the electric motor can power the vehicle on its own in certain circumstances, as well as assist the combustion engine when starting off or accelerating hard. Either way, we found it very pleasant to use, and we tell you about it in our magazine in case you want to take a look.

Besides the Eco, Normal and Sport modes, there are three others called Snow, Mud and Sand, which make progress easier when the car is not on tarmac. Remember that the Jeep Avenger is a front-wheel-drive vehicle, so these modes only affect the throttle response and the operation of the traction control. The system that switches automatically between low and high beams is slow to react, and it’s not unusual to dazzle other drivers. If you have any consideration for others, you’ll end up switching it off and changing manually.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadJeep Avenger10 versions · from 25,700 €