26 Jeep Avenger 115kW e-Summit 54kWh 5dr Auto

Jeep's Avenger gets rugged in this top 4xe form. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Jeep's Avenger gets an extra dose of attitude in this more capable 4xe all wheel drive guise. This is what the brand now thinks a proper small Jeep should aspire to be.

Background

What kind of compact cars should Jeep be producing in this new electrified era? Enthusiasts for the marque had worried that the answer to that question might be models like the Avenger, a predominantly EV-orientated small SUV targeted more at Surbiton than Snowdon. Such fans of the brand might like this particular Avenger though, the 4xe (pronounced 'four-by-e'), which really is a proper pocket off-roader. If you fondly remember Fiat's capable Panda 4x4 and want a modern day equivalent, then this could well be your car. As the name suggests, it's the first Avenger to offer 4WD, though as the 'e' in the badge suggests, it's an electric set-up with a motor on each axle, the one at the back the only driving force for the rear wheels. But the raised ride height, the 'Selec-Terrain' drive modes and the more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension all look like they've been developed with at least one eye on off piste driving. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Though the Avenger was originally envisaged as an EV product, the powertrain of this 4xe version is resolutely combustion-based. It does feature a 48V mild hybrid electrical system, but even that's primarily there to improve traction and torque for off-road performance. The engine in question is the usual Stellantis-sourced 1.2-litre three cylinder turbo petrol 134bhp unit, driven through a 6-speed dual clutch auto gearbox. Here though, it features a pair of 28bhp electric motors, one on each axle. The resulting AWD system powers the 4xe to 62mph in 9.5s and on to 120mph. Jeep calls this car's AWD system 'smart', referring to the fact that power only goes to all four wheels at speeds of under 19mph. Between 19 and 56mph, the rear axle motor only cuts in when tractional needs require it. Above 56mph, the car is always front-driven. For off-roading, there's on-demand torque distribution with a front-to-rear split of up to 50:50. And there's a 'Selec-Terrain' system with 'Auto', 'Snow', 'Sand/Mud' and 'Sport' drive modes, which offer stability settings and power distribution according to terrain. The Avenger 4xe can traverse slopes of up to 40% - and 20% even without front axle grip. There are 22-degree approach, 21-degree breakover and 35-degree departure angles. Multi-link rear suspension allows greater rear axle articulation. And, thanks to a 10mm ride height increase (to 210mm), water up to 400mm deep can be forded.

Design and Build

If you know the Avenger, then you'll immediately recognise that this one's a bit different. The ride height's 10mm higher for a start. Which along with the revised bumpers allows for this top model's sharper approach and departure angles. Those bumpers are made from mould-in-colour material and feature an anti-scratch finish. The front fog lights have been shifted higher for better visibility and there are black roof rails, a rear towing hook and black alloy wheels. Plus green highlights around the lower intake and the bonnet. Inside, where there's a green 4xe badge on the centre console cover, there are more durable materials and the upholstery is entirely washable. Flecks of green feature around the cabin - a departure from the blue used on Jeep's other 4xe models. Otherwise, it's like in any other Avenger, with a lean dashboard supposedly inspired by the Wrangler, featuring an upper part made up of a single horizontal 'function beam', which includes all the air vents, ambient lighting and a central 10.25-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen. Inevitably, another screen resides in the instrument binnacle, of 10.25-inches in size. The lower side of the dash features a wide open storage shell which contributes generously to the 34-litre stowage space total in the cabin. The centre tunnel can be moved to fit the sizes of various items - or even removed entirely to accommodate larger objects like a handbag. Rear seat space is on the tight side as usual in a small B-segment SUV. Out back, the 325-litre boot is down on the 355-litre capacity of the other Avenger Hybrid model but reasonably large by class standards. It has a low 720mm loading height, a one-metre rear hatch width and the option of hands-free powered tailgate.

Market and Model

As you would expect, the Avenger 4xe slots in well above the existing Avenger Hybrid models. Even the least expensive 4xe variant, the 'Upland', required around £32,000 from you at the time of our test in Autumn 2025. That's around £5,500 more than an ordinary front-driven Avenger Hybrid. Jeep expects the majority of 4xe customers to find the extra couple of thousand it wants for the mid-level 'Overland' model. And if you really want to go all-out on your 4xe, a further couple of thousand gets you the top 'North Face' version - though by that point you'll be paying nearly £36,000. The brand says it will make only 4,806 'North Face' models. As for the spec of this Jeep, well in all its guises, the equipment level is similar to what it would be on a top 'Summit'-trimmed Avenger in the standard range. Which means that with base 'Upland' trim, you get full-LED headlamps with auto high beam, front fog lights with a cornering function, a bi-colour roof with black roof rails, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, Hill Descent Control and a 180-degree surround rear camera with a 'drone view' feature. 4xe-specific features include Matt Black 17-inch alloy wheels shod with grippy Mud & Snow tyres, Mould-in colour skid plates and an All-Terrain Mode Selector for the Selec-Terrain 4x4 system. Inside, there are heated front seats upholstered in washable fabric, automatic air conditioning, a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster, a height-adjustable cargo floor and the expected high standard of media tech. That means a Uconnect 10.25-inch centre screen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring.

Cost of Ownership

This 4xe e-Hybrid model is rated at 52.3mpg on the combined cycle and 122g/km of CO2. So there's not too much of an efficiency downside over the front-driven Avenger e-Hybrid (which manages up to 57.6mpg and 111g/km of CO2). That's helped by the way that over 56mph, the 4xe's rear e-motor disengages from the rear axle to optimise fuel consumption. To give you some class perspective, something like a Dacia Duster 4x4 (which is a 130bhp mild hybrid) manages 47.1mpg and 135g/km of CO2. Residual values look promising - industry experts CAP predict a 46% return after 3 years and 60,000 miles; it'd be 54% after three years and 36,000 miles. Servicing is needed every 2 years or 16,000 miles, whichever comes first. And those garage visits are included as part of this Jeep's four year warranty, which also gives you a roadside assistance package for that duration as part of the 'Jeep Shield' programme. And owners get dedicated Jeep Customer Care service, where a team of expertly trained agents will be available 24/7 to answer any questions about your journey.

Summary

Regardless of how much it sells, this is the kind of car Jeep needs to make sure it continues to produce. Stuffing this iconic brand's model line-up full of lifestyle SUVs might help parent company the Stellantis Group's profit margins, but it will eventually dilute the appeal of this famous marque. True, the Avenger 4xe isn't ultimately going to get you to base camp in the true wilderness, but it'll go a surprisingly long way off road if you're prepared to trust it. And of course it'll make quite a trendy statement at the gym - but that of course brings us right back to where we started.