NICE, France – The Name revenge may now be associated with Marvel’s superheroes, but it also has a long history associated with various franchises around the world. Chrysler empire…or whatever corporate moniker it used at the time. Most recently, that means an unfortunate Caliber-based mid-size avoid sedan from the 2000s, with a Mitsubishi-based Dodge coupe from the 1990s before that, but in other parts of the world during the 1970s, one could buy a modest sedan that not only ran through avenger but also Chrysler, Hillman, Talbot and Sunbeam Avengers. In other words, it ended up being Jeep carit’s your turn to get revenge.
The 2023 Jeep Avenger appeared at a time when the aforementioned Chrysler empire had been conquered by the French to form the giant Stellantis Corporation. This is Jeep’s first battery-powered model, which will launch in the UK next summer for around £34,000, or $41,500, but before you get too excited, know it’ll be there. available to you in the US like that old Talbot Avenger : It’s not coming to the US.
At 160.8 inches long, the Avenger is Jeep’s smallest model, even 6 inches shorter than betray and just 28.5 inches longer than Willys MB’s original World War II jeep with a Go Devil engine, which is where the whole story begins. In Europe, vehicles like the Avenger fall into the so-called B-segment, which accounts for around 20% of all new car sales, with SUVs/Cross each other part of it is now emerging as one of the fastest growing sectors.
With the European ban on new internal combustion engines, plus the harsh and much criticized Euro 7 exhaust emissions With the requirements going into effect in 2025, automakers are having to make big, quick changes, and Jeep is no exception. The Avenger is the first of four new battery-powered Jeeps that will arrive before 2025. The rest are electric. Cherokeetemporary name horse carriage WILLand small, Jeep Recon looks like Wrangler.
The thing is, most contenders in this cramped B-segment small SUV segment are notable primarily for their blandness, lack of steering feel, and barely any kind of off-road capability.
So, what are the Avengers fare like?
The the battery is a fairly standard 102-cell lithium-ion pack, with a total power output of 54 kilowatt-hours for a combined WLTP range of 249 miles. The EPA-rated distance will almost certainly be shorter and could be similar to the 217-mile range we’ve seen shown on a fast-driving 42-mile test track. Either way, winter shouldn’t destroy range too much as the Jeep is equipped with a thermally efficient heat pump heating system.
Unlike most electric vehicles introduced today, the Avenger doesn’t use a skateboard-like EV battery platform sandwiched between wheels on the floor. Instead, its 17 battery modules rest on a steel pad and are grouped mostly under the seat, so legroom is ventilated and therefore the seat height is lower. It’s a neat system decided in part because there will be a 1.2-litre petrol version of the Avenger on sale in Spain and Italy.
This platform is eCMP 2 by Stellantis, shared with peugeot‘s e-208, e-2008, DS 3 and Opel/Vauxhall‘s Corsa and Mokka Electric. Jeep did a lot of work to make it more powerful, shortening the overhang, improving the crash structure and expanding the inner wing to accommodate large diameter tires and allow for more wheel movement. In the same spare-barrel assault, Jeep has also embraced the latest in battery technology and electric architecture, along with an engine that delivers just 154 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque- feet to the front wheel. A two-engine four-wheel-drive version was previewed by the Avenger 4×4 Concept, but that won’t appear (again, in Europe. authorized dealer) to 2024.
So for now, this is a front-wheel drive Jeep, I know it’s blasphemous behavior. That said, the Avenger’s dimensions look pretty good for at least hilly terrain and tough urban streets, not to mention large puddles. That’s a beard less than 70 inches wide and 60 inches tall on a 101-inch wheelbase. The short overhang and decent ground clearance of 7.9 inches mean it certainly looks fit and it will wade through water up to 9 inches deep. It weighs 3,386 pounds and carries four people comfortably, five when pushed. no citations drag weight, so trailer owners should look elsewhere.
Fast charging capabilities are quite strong for this segment and price point, with a maximum fast charging speed of 100 kW and a built-in charger of 11 kW. Charging times range from 24 minutes for a 20% to 80% full charge on a 100kW DC fast charger (the more common spec in the US market is 10%-80%), to eight hours on a home wall 7.4kW is rated in the UK box.
Climb in, and the cabin is compact and intimate, though not cramped at all. The passenger sat quite close to the driver, but no elbow injury occurred. In the back, there’s leg and headroom for a couple of 6-foot tall people on a soft and comfortable couch. The switches are responsive and recognizable, and the device’s touch screen and graphics are nicely realized but not flashy. The indicator repeater sounds like a frog in a box.
This is the Avenger’s First Edition model, but there’s a lack of freshness in every option offered entirely in the spec sheet. The seat is still manually adjustable and has an interesting mechanical action on everything. The rear seat backs fold 60/40 and the two-story cargo area floor allows for a completely flat cargo floor when that seat is lowered or maximum capacity when the seat is raised. The cargo area itself is hardly large and is quite high off the ground (beware of old dogs), but is usefully 39.4 inches wide.
There’s evidence of being built for a price, such as the litter box lids made from recycled cat fur and the shiny plastic dashboard, but that’s not enough to erase the general perception of being well-made and well-built. thoughtful design. Those coal tar bodywork side panels may look a bit cheap, for instance, but they’re proof of this parking lot with Jeep claiming owners can save up to $1,200 on paint and dents. repair in the life of the Avengers.
Launch her and the system works easily. The accelerator pedal feels forward and smoothly pulls away even on uphill or reverse slopes, which can be a problem with Electric Car. Braking control is fine-tuned and incremental, and on a broken stretch of road in the Alpes-Maritimes, it’s easy to slow down thanks to regenerative current flowing back into the battery cells.
The high-spec cars have downhill control, help you down grassy slopes, and there are Sand, Mud and Snow driving modes that alter the electronic stability system and throttle action. There’s also a sophisticated brake-based traction control system, which allows for some progress when one wheel is in the air, though I wouldn’t try anything too ambitious. It’s definitely not Trail Rated.
Fast performance for a B-segment car sold in Europe and suited to urban sprawl would be the Avenger’s natural habitat, but by US standards, a 0-100 km/h time for 9 seconds won’t impress anyone. There are three driving modes, which is not unusual, but their ability to actually change their engine power is huge. The Sport offers the full 156 hp and 192 lb-ft, but the Normal limits you to 109 hp and 162 lb-ft, while the Eco cuts further down to 82 hp and 132 lb-ft.
Suspension includes MacPherson struts up front with torsion beam rear, and on well-surfaced roads, the Avenger maneuvers neatly from bend to bend with an even but unrolled body. too much from side to side. It performs well, with confident handling. The steering is over-assisted, but the small revs and fairly quick steering rack ratio help give an impression of usability, especially when circling town. That coupled with its compact size and straight body edges make it easy to thread through tight slots.
Even on the First Edition’s 18-inch wheels, the ride was smooth, with only the roughest potholes and potholes encountered. For a tall car, this looks like a well-made compromise; agile without being too rigid. Visiting the ‘burbs should be a positive and reasonably comfortable experience.
The result is a small car that is quite lovely and fun to drive, with a practical and comfortable cabin. For hardy and tough Jeep enthusiasts, the upcoming Recon will be a better choice, but for suburban families, the 2023 Jeep Avenger will be an ideal second vehicle. and quite nice. Why it didn’t come to the United States remains a mystery.
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