When I picked up the hybrid version of the Jeep Avenger last week, the range with a full tank of petrol said 600km. But after about 15 minutes of driving this neat motor, the range rose to 620km. Now that’s impressive in any car.
The Avenger also looked good with a white body and a black roof. But officially the colour is snow and if we do get snow this winter then the all-wheel drive 1.2-litre Avenger should excel. I didn’t get to drive the car off-road last week, but traditionally drivers of Jeeps tend to enjoy the off-road experience.
We are all guilty of using the word ‘Jeep’ too loosely at times. Did you know that only Jeeps made by the original Jeep company in Toledo, Ohio are allowed to use the name on their vehicles.
Jeeps have been in use since World War II, but the Jeeps you see nowadays on Irish roads are much more refined. Jeep were part of Chrysler from 1987, and they are now owned by Stellantis and distributed in Ireland by the Gowan Group.
It’s no secret that Jeep is not a big seller in Ireland and the price of the car might have something to do with that. Jeep may not have large sales in Ireland, but they have sold 280,000 Avengers in Europe since its launch in 2023.
With it rugged styling, decent driving dynamics and wide choice of powertrains, it’s easy to see why it has found so many willing buyers.
Now to celebrate their 85th anniversary Jeep has given the Avenger a mid-life, but in Ireland we will have to wait a little longer for the anniversary version. Last week I drove the Avenger 4xe in Upland trim.
At the front you get Jeep’s traditional seven-slot design, but Jeep experts tell me that the original 1941 Jeep had nine slots. Like their Compass, the grille features LED backlighting at night.
Inside you get a neat steering wheel with a plethora of slave controls. No gear lever and an electronic handbrake. On the lower part of the dash, you press D for drive and R for reverse. Obviously, those button controls will also apply in the fully EV version of the Avenger.
There is a deep box located between driver and front seat passengers to store items. Inside, the décor is a bit dark and the roofline is also dark, but there is a nice touch of grey on the seats which brightens the interior.
Leg room is a bit tight in the back seat where you can squeeze three adults, but of course the back seat would be more comfortable with just two adults. The hybrid technology takes up some space in the boot, and you are left with only 320 litres of space.
It’s a very neat motor, just 4.09 metre long and 1.81metres wide. Two roof rails add to the rugged look. At the back you get an exposed tow hook, so mind your shin as you walk by.
Prices for the entry level version start at €29,995, while the 4xe edition is €39,995.
Volcano is the standard colour for the Avenger. All other colours will cost you €950 or €1,550 when combined with a contrasting Volcano black roof. Other colours available are Ruby, Sun, Concrete (blue-grey), Granite and Stone.
It’s a beauty and definitely the most frugal engine I have driven this year. While the price for the entry level version is attractive, the 4xe version edition is I think, a bit expensive for such a small car.
