Jeep Avenger petrol version review

Read Caroline’s Jeep Avenger review to find out all the information you need to know about buying Jeep’s small petrol SUV.

The Jeep Avenger will be launched in Ireland in 2023, marking a new chapter for the Jeep brand. It is the brand’s smallest model, but it has a very stylish design.

At launch, it was a fully electric car, but Jeep later added a 1.2-litre petrol model to the Avenger range.

The good news is that the Avenger is a bit more affordable than before, with prices starting at 31,495 euros. The electric Avenger starts at 35,995 euros.

Let’s take a closer look.

modeling

The Jeep Avenger is a very good-looking small SUV. It stands out from its competitors with its signature seven-slat Jeep grille, boxy shape and square wheel arches. The LED headlights have an attractive lighting signature and give the Avenger a very modern Jeep look – but the family DNA of the Renegade and Compass is still very evident, which is a good thing for Jeep fans!

It has an imposing presence and comes in a range of cool colours to match, including bright red and light green, as well as more subdued shades of grey, white and black. The Avenger petrol is available in two trim levels – Longitude and Altitude – and rides on 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels with an attractive chunky design. The Altitude also gets gloss black door mirror caps.

Internal

Inside, the cabin of this little Jeep is fairly solid, with lots of hard black plastics, but it doesn’t look too cheap and there are no squeaks or rattles. It could perhaps use more luxurious materials or at least some color. But it’s modern and well-equipped, with plenty of storage up front, including a nice shelf on the dashboard to keep things handy. The petrol model gets a chunky silver gear selector, and there are nice seats emblazoned with the Jeep logo. A large touchscreen is standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cruise control and manual air conditioning are also standard.

Higher-spec Altitude models come with a handsome all-digital driver’s display, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, automatic air conditioning, a rear-view camera, wireless smartphone charging and a six-speaker JBL sound system with a subwoofer.

Practicality

The Avenger is a small car, and that’s most evident in the back seat. Two adults will feel cramped, but kids should be able to fit in. There are few amenities in the back seat, with no armrests or door storage bins, but there is a USB-C port.

The car has a larger boot than the electric Avenger (380 litres vs 355 litres), so that might appeal to some buyers. The boot has a split floor, which helps create a flat door sill for easier entry and exit.

Altitude models also add a convenient power tailgate.

engine

The Avenger petrol uses a 1.2-litre petrol that also appears in other cars from parent company Stellantis, such as the Opel Mokka and Peugeot 2008. It’s a tried and tested engine that performs just as well in the Avenger, offering 100bhp and a 6-speed manual gearbox. My average fuel consumption over the week was 5.6 litres per 100km.

drive

The driving experience of this car is refreshing compared to the rest of the Jeep range. The compact size makes it ideal for narrow city streets or country roads. It can even hold its own on the motorway. The steering is light and there isn’t a lot of feel, but it does have good body control and a lovely way around the bends. This car is great fun to drive, the petrol engine is peppy and matches the manual gearbox perfectly, making it a joy to use. The ride can be a little bumpy on rough roads in town and the country, but that’s a small compromise for a small car that’s so fun to drive.

Overall it’s not as refined or sophisticated as the closely related Peugeot 2008, with slightly more road noise entering the cabin, but it makes up for that in attitude.

The Avenger is front-wheel drive (there’s no 4WD version). There are a few different driving modes to choose from, such as Normal, Sport and Eco, as well as several off-road modes for snow, sand and mud. Ground clearance is pretty good for a small SUV, at over 200mm. Perfect for the urban jungle!

Price

The Jeep Avenger petrol version Longitude is priced from 31,495 euros, while the Altitude is priced from 33,995 euros.

in conclusion

The Jeep Avenger is one of the hottest new cars of 2023. It won the title of European Car of the Year, marking a true renaissance for the Jeep brand in Europe and becoming one of the most competitive models in years.

It has helped the Jeep brand grow again in Ireland.

On paper, the petrol Avenger’s entry price is more palatable than an electric car, and the car is small, but running costs are also an important factor to consider when choosing between a petrol and an electric car.

Regardless, if the Avenger is on your shopping list, you’ll be happy to know that it’s a delightful small SUV that has a bit of personality and pizazz, making it a great companion on the road.

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By Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Irish Car of the Year judge

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