Test – New Avenger, what is the first 100% electric Jeep is worth

If some electric cars deprive their drivers of the pleasure of handling touches, this is not the case with the Jeep Avenger. Physical buttons are even used as a “PRND” walking selector and navigating the 10.25 inch central screen that looks like a large smartphone.

Video trial – Jeep Avenger: What is the first jeep electric SUV worth ?

Integrated into the Stellantis group, Jeep is now on the compact electric SUV market. Far from melting into the lot, the Jeep Avenger brings the group an amazing homemade adhesive spirit for a vehicle devoid of full motor skills. What does our Tyer Maxime Fontanier think ?

Shorter but more power

Distinguished last January by the very envied title of “Car of the Year” announced as part of the Brussels Automobile Fair, the American brand is rather in dimensions adapted to Europe.

For the same height of 1.53 m, it is even shorter with its 4.08 m (-22 cm) than the Peugeot E-2008 which lends it its E-CMP architecture. It is thus much closer to the E-208 (4.06 m). The width of the 2 SUVs is however almost identical, around 1.78 m. Curiously, the manufacturer’s site plays solo by crediting the Jeep Avenger, only 1.72 m wide.

The space under the hood is well filled, masking the permanent magnet synchronous engine that drives the front wheels. With the Jeep, the figures have improved, since its block develops a power of 115 kW (156 hp) against 100 kW (136 hp) on the E-2008 when it was released, for an unchanged torque of 260 Nm.

The engine is fueled by a lithium-ion battery NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) with a useful energy capacity of 51 kWh on a total of 54. It is made up of 102 cells distributed in 17 modules.

Jeep Avenger: for 4 passengers

In her golden golden dress with black volcano roof (+ € 1,250), and wearing 18 -inch standard alloy rims, the Avenger available to us benefit from the high -end finish Summit. At the rear, the windows are overtened and descend to the bottom.

Hidden by the tailgate which opens electrically from the remote control, the trunk offers a volume of 355 liters, extensible to 1,250 l by folding the file into two parts of the bench seat. Without a real double-end hold or fruit in front, the charging cables may often be condemned to drag behind the passengers.

Due to a relatively small width and the central service tunnel inherited from the thermal version unavailable in France, it will be better to limit the bench to the transport of 2 people. Too bad, because in the absence of a retractable armrest, the central place is almost as comfortable as the other 2.

Several elements do not argue for the jeep electric SUV: no holding handle or storage in the rigid offices, and the roof sky is rather bof-box. Adjustment defects have also been noticed, including outside between body parts.

Touches to everything

If some electric cars deprive their drivers of the pleasure of handling touches, this is not the case with the Jeep Avenger. Physical buttons are even used as a “PRND” walking selector and navigating the 10.25 inch central screen that looks like a large smartphone.

The € 500 navigation pack provides the small slab nevertheless tactile compatibility Bluetooth with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, GPS navigation and information on traffic panels read by the vehicle.

Sitting at the wheel, Maxime Fontanier is seduced by the interior design: ” The finish is really very friendly, typical of jeep »». It is however surrounded only with rigid plastics, also omnipresent on the dashboard: ” We find the quality of the Fiat 500E »». Thanks to the Summit finish, the 100 W sound system has 6 speakers, against 4 and 50 W at the entry level.

It also brings the digital combination of 10.25 inch instrumentation, against 7 inches with the lower levels: ” It is very well presented and very readable, there is everything you need before you »». Note the presence of an induction charger for smartphone, and many storage spaces, including under the sliding armrest.

First laps

Well wedged on seats whose settings its manuals but covered with a comfortable upholstery which ensures good support, we are ready to taste the bitumen with the Jeep Ave. A glance in the large interior mirror without framing makes it possible to obtain correct visibility on the back. So much the better, because the glass surface is not the most generous.

The maneuvers are facilitated by a rear view of 180 degrees, a summary representation from above and a robbery diameter at 10.5 m: ” This is the advantage of having a vehicle that is both short and narrow »».

In order to adapt to a maximum of coverings, the compact electric SUV offers driving modes not all common: normal, eco, sand, mud and snow. “” Even if it is a two -wheel drive, we have a reinforced motor skills system to be able to evolve on furniture surfaces »». Without going as far as complete stop, regenerative braking can intensify by selecting mode B (Brake).

The first slowders betray ” The rigid chassis with panhard bar at the back. However, it’s not too firm »». In addition, with noise of furniture, the tires with thick sides are “being” a bouncing hair »».

What test for the Avenger these winding roads !

In town, management appeared ” Soft, very pleasant, very precise and with a good natural reminder »». On winding roads, ” The front axle does not follow as well »». As soon as Maxime Fontanier forces a little when turns, he feels that the vehicle ” tends to widen the trajectory »». And even when you accelerate, the system ” finds it difficult to pass the couple to the ground, which tends to skate a little and to make traction control play »».

To this is added a ” accelerator pedal that is not super frank »». The best is to be sought on the side of that of the brakes: ” It is pleasant, with a precise dosage, which is not always the case on electric vehicles »».

Avenger is above all a jeep, who ” Privileges flexibility and ground clearance (20 cm) to climb on the sidewalks, more than support in turns »». Hence a roll of roll ” relatively marked “Compensated by” Good support in the seats »». The limits of manufacturing quality are also made here by noise of furniture when the road is degraded.

She likes when it climbs or getting down strongly

On a fairly steep stony path, the Jeep Avenger shows excellent climbing aptitude. Thanks to its various protections which will also be very useful in town, the bodywork does not fear such an exploitation too much.

The compact SUV has an aid to the descent which will be appreciated in difficult situations. By pressing 2 distant buttons, ” The car then goes down on its own, not very quickly, but at least it hooks well, rectifying when the system feels that it goes wrong »». It is still possible to press the accelerator. But as soon as you release it, the Jeep returns to a more prudent look: ” It’s really very nice as a system »».

This experience satisfied our trial journalist: ” Frankly, for a two -wheel drive, he manages this Avenger very well. Which proves his Jeep DNA. It’s not just marketing »».

Jeep Avenger: Not too bad on fast ways

The highway is undoubtedly not the privileged playground of the Avenger whose top speed is limited to 150 km/h. However, the acceleration is very largely sufficient to fit well on the fast tracks: ” They announce 9 seconds for 0 to 100 km/h »».

Against all expectations with regard to previous observations, the sound level ” is very correct »At 120 km/h, maximum speed in Spain where this test was carried out. Not too much air noises, of course, but in terms of bearings, it will depend on the roadway. If it is grainy, it feels quite bad in the cabin. With driving aids that are maximum in the Summit finish, ” The car stays well between the lines, without oscillating »».

It will be necessary to count on a consumption of the order of 22 kWh/100 km under these conditions, against a little less than 18 in mixed use. This translates into actual autonomy by 230-240 km on a highway, 300 km in mixed use, and 350 km in town.

On a direct current charger, the power can rise up to 100 kW, to find 80 % energy within 30 minutes. For AC terminals, the Avenger has an 11 kW device.

Jeep Avenger Prices

The Jeep Avenger price grid starts at € 36,500, excluding ecological bonus. We go to € 42,500 with the high -end Summit finish, not to mention the options.

“” It is a little cheaper than the DS E-Tense and the Peugeot E-2008. But it remains expensive compared to the MG4 or the Tesla Model 3 which today display cannon prices with batteries of equivalent capacity. But these are not very friendly urban SUVs, like this “Concludes Maxime Fontanier.

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Test – New Avenger, what is the first 100% electric Jeep is worth?

The American brand of the Stellantis group launches its first 100% electric model, the Avenger. A very compact and intends to be versatile SUV, comfortable in town as on difficult paths.

It was a bit of surprise of this start of the year: the new Jeep Avenger won the prestigious European car title of the year. A first for the American brand and a great way to welcome its first 100% electric model launched in Europe.

We discover a small (very) compact SUV, barely over 4 meters long. Enough to make this technical cousin of DS3, Opel Mokka-e, Peugeot E2008, Citoën Ë-C4 and ë-C4X, the shortest of this family of the Stellantis group. And the shortest in the current Jeep range, 16 centimeters less than a renegade.

A real “Baby Jeep” which takes up the main attributes of the brand, with the grille with 7 slits and the body protections for the mini-baroudeur side.

A model designed and manufactured in Europe and which is relatively compact to the outside, but quite spacious inside.

A cabin that makes good impression by taking up the pretty yellow of the body color of our test model. We find the now classic duo with a 10.25 inch touch screen for infotainment (with Android Auto/Carplay) and a meter screen.

There are many storage spaces, with a large space above the physical air conditioning buttons as well as a fairly practical storage in the central console, with a space to load a telephone in induction. Only problem, once the opening is unfolded, we can no longer access the gearbox controls, the P, R, N and D buttons (with a B mode for more regenerative braking).

Special mention for indicators who take up a percussion sound (a battery noise to greet the jeep electric first?), but too bad not to have the choice between several sounds or to adjust the volume, quite low by default, which prevented us from making you benefit from it in our video trial.

Speaking of battery, this model recovers a new 54 kWh, against 50 kWh so far for other models of stellantis based on E-CMP platform. Autonomy is announced at just over 400 km, or even 550 km in town, but it will rather be necessary to count on a little more than 300 km, taking into account the average consumption during our test.

On the recharging side, the Avenger can cash in 11 kW by alternating current and 100 kW in direct current. What go from 20 to 80% in less than 30 minutes to a quick charging station.

There is also a new engine, Made in France in Trémery, then reaching the Tychy factory, in Poland, where the vehicle is assembled.

An engine that offers a power of 156 horsepower (115 kW) in sport mode, but which goes to 108 horsepower (80kW) in normal and 81 horsepower (60 kW) in Eco mode.

Without being very dynamic, this Avenger remains pleasant to drive, particularly agile in urban areas. We were also able to test her behavior off the beaten track, with sand, mud and snow modes available. What manage the traction transmitted only to the front wheels, while waiting for the 4 -wheel drive version for the end of the year.

On the price side, this Avenger starts at 36.500 euros, excluding bonuses. For our test model, in high -end Summit finish starts at 43.500 euros. Allow just over 45.000 euros by adding the “Sun” yellow color with the black “volcano” roof and a navigation pack.

In total, Jeep plans to launch three other 100% electric vehicles in Europe by 2025.