Jeep Avenger Officially Debuts as Small Electric SUV Not for Canada
Announced together with the fully electric Recon and Wagoneer S last month, the all-new Jeep Avenger officially made its global debut today at the 2022 Paris Motor Show. The brand chose this venue for a simple reason: the Avenger will not be sold on our side of the Atlantic.
Why are we writing about it, then? Well, you’re looking at the first-ever production EV from Jeep to hit the market.
- Also: Fully Electric Jeep Recon, Wagoneer Revealed Ahead of 2024 Launch
- Also: We Drove Jeep’s All-Electric Magneto 2.0 All Over Moab
The Avenger features a 54kWh battery that is said to enable up to 400 km of range based on the WLTP standard used overseas—likely less than 350 km if it were offered in Canada. When plugged into a 100kW DC fast charger, the battery can go from a 20-80 percent charge in 24 minutes, Jeep claims.
There’s just one electric motor at work here, and it generates a modest 154 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. While Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system allows drivers to choose from various modes, even Mud, power is exclusively sent to the front wheels as the Avenger is mostly urban-oriented. That being said, a 4WD-equipped concept also debuted in Paris (the grey one on the pictures) and there’s a chance it will get the green light, as well.
We really like what designers have done on the outside. The Avenger looks sharp and a bit adventurous at the same time. Notice the short overhangs, lower body cladding and fake skid plates in scratch-resistant polymer. However, this little SUV is 16 cm shorter than the Renegade and the trunk barely fits 380 litres of cargo.
The cabin itself is arguably quite attractive and versatile, not to mention nicely equipped. Leather seats with a massage function are available, while the 10.25-inch centre touchscreen is paired with a 7- or 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster on a body-coloured dash panel.
When you combine the large centre console with the many different compartments, you get as much as 34 litres of storage space up front—more than double the average in the small-SUV segment. A panoramic roof is optional, by the way.
The Jeep Avenger will go on sale in Europe in 2023 and later in other markets including Japan and South Korea. As for the North American-bound Recon and electric Wagoneer S, customers will be able to make a reservation in early 2023, but production won’t start until 2024.
