With the Detroit Motor Show knocking on the door, Jeep has finally entered the EV market with its first BEV, the Avenger, to mark its entrance into the 2022 4xe Day. While Jeep has been slightly late to the EV party, they have finally revealed their maiden electric vehicles like the All-New Jeep Recon, an All-Electric Wagoneer, and the Jeep Avenger to achieve the goal proposed in the Dare Forward 2030 plan.
Jeep’s electric future heavily depends on its first BEV, the Avenger. They have constructed the Avenger on a BEV-oriented platform, with a powerful powertrain and a battery promising 249 miles of range. The Avenger exhibits Jeep’s modern design with a unique exterior design that is both sleek and stylish. Jeep also stated that the Avenger will sit between the smaller Compass and the slightly larger Renegade.
Jeep hasn’t revealed the pricing yet, but we expect it to be in the ballpark of $40,000 in the US. Below, we discuss everything we know about the Avenger.
The Avenger Is Jeep’s Baby Step Towards Electrification
The Avenger, as mentioned earlier, is Jeep’s first all-electric vehicle and a crucial part of Stellantis’ 4xe goal. While Jeep hasn’t confirmed what platform underpins the new Avenger, we expect Jeep to build it on the SLTA SMALL platform based on the specs of the battery underneath.
Jeep hasn’t disclosed any information about the Avenger’s powertrain. However, we expect the Avenger to be powered by two 201-hp electric motors. Jeep has confirmed that they will offer the Avenger in both two-wheel and all-wheel-drive models, meaning the Avenger will offer either 201 hp or 400 hp of total engine output.
As Jeep’s first BEV, the Avenger SUV will draw power from a 50 kWh battery, which will provide it with a range of 249 miles on a single charge. Jeep will probably provide an 18 kWh standard charger along with the Avenger, and the battery may come with a 100 kWh fast charging support, which will cut off the total charging time of around 30-40 minutes.
Being based on the same platform as the Chrysler Airflow, we expect the higher models of the Avenger to feature the SLTA Auto Drive Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.
The Avenger Flaunts A Unique Exterior Style
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Unlike Jeep’s other compact SUVs, the Avenger incorporates a different style and is impressive. If you are acquainted with Jeep’s other products like the Cherokee, you’ll find similar design elements in the Avenger’s fascia. However, every vehicle changes with time, and so does the automobile industry. Jeep has blessed the Avenger with Jeep’s signature styling but has incorporated new changes in the overall design language.
For example, the seven-slot grille design finds its way into the fascia along with the main headlight unit on both sides. New elements include two sleek front DRLs above the headlights and a chiseled five-slot grill below. The Avenger also features a newly designed bumper that will focus on providing better airflow through the electric powertrain. The front bumper features aerodynamically designed air gaps to allow a good amount of air to pass through the braking system.
The Avenger looks bold from behind. The newly designed X-shaped DRLs and blacked-out tail lamps give it a cool character. We can also see a newly attached LED bar below the rear spoiler, which will probably work as a high-mounted taillamp for the car. Besides, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and a newly fitted skid plate are visible on the rear fascia.
Jeep has designed the Avenger mainly for families looking for a stylish, compact SUV with decent capabilities. The compact size will provide buyers with easier maneuverability inside cities and will be easier to park. According to Antonella Bruno, Head of Jeep Europe, “The all-new Avenger will offer Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market.”
He further stated, “This modern, fun, and emotional SUV will appeal to a growing set of customers who are looking for a capable, compact, modern, and all-electric Jeep brand alternative to the current players.” In addition, Jeep also informed us that the Avenger will offer an impressive amount of ground clearance, and when combined with the all-wheel-drive functions and rear locking differentials, we expect the Avenger to perform well in B-road conditions.
The 2023 Jeep Avenger Will Offer An Opulent Cabin
First things first, Jeep hasn’t provided any details about the Avenger’s interior or its dimensions. What you read here is pure speculation based on Jeep’s other products. The upcoming Jeep Avenger will feature a stylish layout, which we expect to be very similar to that of the Jeep Compass. As we can see from a peek, the dashboard will offer a 10.25-inch touchscreen with an Uconnect interface. Besides this, the cockpit will also feature a 7-inch hybrid cluster or a 10.25-inch full digital cluster depending on the trim.
The front will feature a pair of manually-adjustable bucket seats with cloth covers, but you will get a pair of power bucket seats draped in leather in the higher trims. The higher trims will offer heating, lumbar support, and memory settings. Jeep may offer heated and cooled seats and heated rear seats as well. We expect the Avenger to offer decent practicality like other compact SUVs. It will provide a spacious cargo trunk and additional interior cargo room after folding the rear seats.
A Decent Dose Of Safety And Driver Assist Features
The 2023 Jeep Avenger will come equipped with a decent dose of safety features. While Jeep hasn’t confirmed it yet, the higher models of the Avenger may arrive with ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels, and the lower models may offer front ventilated disc brakes. Apart from these, we also expect the higher models to feature the SLTA Auto Drive Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities with various driver-assist features.
Sources: Stellantis Newsroom USA, Jeep Europe