Jeep Avenger eHybrid review: Last year's car of the year is reborn

As the year wends its way towards a natural conclusion, it is probably appropriate that we test a new version of a car which we selected as Examiner Motoring’s Car of the Year just 12 months ago – the Jeep Avenger.

We selected the diminutive electric as our best of 2023 on the basis that it was “great to drive and live with, has a great range and is remarkably cheap for an electric of any description.” 

This time around and we’re having a go off the hybrid version of the car, which is the third iteration of the Avenger we have seen in the last while. First was the electric version which we loved; second was the internally combustioned version, which we’ve not yet driven; and, finally there is this, the hybrid.

Those of you of a certain age may well remember the Avenger nameplate going back to the Rootes-designed car in the 1970’s. Rootes was a part of that great British post-war car manufacturing industry boom and Hillman was probably its most successful marque and the Hunter its most successful model.

Rootes became part of the Chrysler conglomerate in the late ‘60’s and had huge success with such as the Minx, the Imp, the Sunbeam and the Hunter. But, as the 1980’s dawned, Rootes was no more, having been sold off by Chrysler to Peugeot/Talbot.

The Avenger was one of its late successes, however, and, as a competitor originally for such as the Mark III Ford Cortina, was a big seller, not alone across Europe, but in places as diverse as South Africa, America (where it was marketed as the Plymouth Cricket), Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Iran and New Zealand.

Following the collapse of Chrysler Europe in 1978, the operation was taken over by PSA (Peugeot and Citroen) and the Avenger was relaunched under the revived Talbot brand. But it wouldn’t last as the company closed its Lynwood plant near Glasgow and concentrated its efforts on the Ryton factory outside Coventry.

Avenger production ceased in 1981 but, as Chrysler still owned the ‘Avenger’ trademark, the company continued using it, albeit only in the US, where the Dodge Avenger was made between 2007-14. 

When Chrysler merged with Fiat the name came under the ownership of the new entity FCA and, more recently, under the Stellantis label when FCA joined with PSA.

Ironically, the Avenger name is now associated with Peugeot again and is built in an FCA plant at Tychy in Poland, under Jeep branding and sharing the same platform as the Peugeot 2008, the Opel Mokka and the DS 3 Crossback, as well as the Fiat 600 and the Alfa Romeo Junior.

Initially conceived as an electric only car, the crash in EV sales across Europe prompted a swift rethink and the hybrid petrol and ICE petrol were quickly developed and rushed to the market. It is the former we drive this week.

Fitted with a 1.2 litre turbocharged engine (the PSA PureTech unit), a 0.9 kWh battery and a 21-kW electric motor, as well as a six-speed dual-clutch eDCT6 automatic gearbox, this Avenger is front wheel drive only, although there will be a 4x4 in due course.

A very good-looking car, the Avenger eHybrid is virtually identical to the other models in the range visually, identifiable only by the green ‘e’ logo on the boot and the exhaust pipe peering out from the rear end diffuser. The designers have done an excellent job to make the traditional seven bar Jeep grille look modern and natty.

The chunky wheelarches and the sexy X-motif rear lights are retained from the electric and add greatly to the car’s visual appeal. The design is one which is aimed at the youthful, urban buyer and it does seem very much on-point in that regard.

One of the design aims was to make this car look utilitarian without giving off a ‘cheapo’ vibe and largely that aim has been achieved, although certain aspects of the interior décor are far from premium, if we’re honest. There are plenty of scratchy plastics in evidence here, but the over-riding impression is pleasing.

Such as the faux metal strip which divides the dashboard breaks up what would be a monotonously dark spectre and the twin screen infotainment/instrumentation screens look high tech and not only do both look good, but they are very user-friendly and competent as well.

As with so many small crossovers, the room available to the rear passengers is on the tight side, but then it is aimed at young drivers with small children or empty nesters, so that shouldn’t be an issue for most customers. The boot space (which has an adaptable floor) is decent enough and with a 380-litre capacity when the floor is raised, it is favourably comparable with most rivals.

Specification levels are thorough too what with adaptive cruise control, a six-speaker stereo, pedestrian and cycle recognition technology, 18” diamond cut alloys, parking sensors, auto wipers and lights, powered tailgate and a load of practical storage cubbies all coming as part of the package in Summit trim.

On the road it is a very likeable thing to drive, what with a willing engine and a talented gearbox that doesn’t hang on to gears for too long like many hybrids. There’s no undue understeer as with a lot of front wheel drive cars, the handling is sure-footed and the ride is pretty solid, delivering decent rolling refinement even on our many pitted B-roads.

Power output is just 100 bhp and the 0-100 km/h time of 10.9 seconds won’t inspire anyone, but the Avenger will peddle along nicely. The main eyebrow-raiser, though, is the fuel consumption, which at 5.0 l/100 km (56 mpg), should be good enough for even the miserated. The fact that this one has a range of over 700km, should persuade many to take it ahead of the 400km range of the electric.

The thing is that this never actually feels underpowered or lacking in pace, it is just really nice to drive and will delight over a cross-country route. And, another thing, the car also has the Stellantis group’s all-terrain system which allows for a modicum of off-road capabilities and more security in raid or ice.

This car might not be a world-beater in many regards, but it is a very decent honest-to-God car which will tackle pretty much any automotive challenge posed to it without batting an eyelid. It is practical, economical, family-friendly and really nice to drive.

With a little more marketing effort (the company never really maximised its European Car of the Year title in ’23) this is a Jeep which could gather a surprisingly large fanbase and, as a hybrid, it also fits into the needs of those looking to be environmentally friendly. It is a very decent thing and not one to be overlooked.