2023 Jeep Avenger electric SUV detailed for Europe, a chance for Australia

More details of the new 2023 Jeep Avenger small electric SUV have been announced, ahead of its European launch next year – although Australian arrivals are yet to be locked in.

After the first photos were published last month, the Avenger made its public debut at the Paris motor show overnight.

It is Jeep's first electric car – and its smallest vehicle on sale today.

It is due in European showrooms early next year – but it is yet to be confirmed for Australia, even though it is built in right-hand drive for sale in the UK and Japan.

“The Avenger is going to go to the UK, it’s going to go to Japan, and we’re looking at maybe Australia if there is a market for it. Right now it’s still not decided,” Jeep global boss Christian Meunier told Australian media in Detroit last month.

Jeep has confirmed two larger electric vehicles for Australia, the Recon off-roader and Wagoneer S luxury SUV, for launch sometime after their US showroom debuts in 2024.

The Avenger is widely rumoured to spawn baby Alfa Romeo and Fiat petrol and electric SUVs – with unique bodywork and interiors, but similar underpinnings and mechanical components.

Rumoured to be underpinned by a new version of the CMP platform used by other Stellantis electric cars such as the Peugeot e-2008 and Citroen e-C4, the Avenger will be Jeep's smallest model, slotting below the Renegade in Europe.

While the electric model will be the only variant sold in most countries, a cheaper 1.2-litre petrol version will be available in Italy and Spain where electric-car chargers aren't as widespread.

Powering the Avenger is a 115kW/260Nm electric motor on the front axle, connected to a 54kWh battery pack – a combination shared with its various twins under the skin from Peugeot, Citroen and Opel in Europe.

There is no all-wheel drive model at launch – however an 'Avenger 4x4 Concept' revealed alongside the production model previews what one could look like, albeit without any confirmed specifications detailing its performance.

Jeep claims 400km of driving range in combined (city and highway) driving for the production model, or up to 550km in urban areas – figures in line with other cars in the Avenger's class.

The electric Jeep can be plugged into a DC fast charger, accepting energy at up to 100kW for up to 30km of added range in three minutes, or a 20 to 80 per cent charge in 24 minutes.

A standard Mode 3 charging cable connected to a 11kW AC home wallbox is claimed to allow for a zero to 100 per cent recharge in 5.5 hours.

The Avenger measures 4.08m long – 16cm shorter than the Renegade, and a similar size to a Hyundai Venue (but smaller than a Ford Puma or Toyota Yaris Cross).

Jeep says the Avenger's 200mm of quoted ground clearance is the "best... in the category", with its off-road capabilities aided by 20-degree approach, 20-degree breakover and 32-degree departure angles, short overhangs, and underbody skid plates to protect the battery.

While it's only front-wheel drive, the Avenger offers hill-descent control as standard, plus a Selec-Terrain off-road system with six modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud and Sand.

Jeep highlights the Avenger's skid plates, "360-degree cladding" made from "polymer mould-in colour" to hide scratches, and the design of its headlights, which are "encased and positioned up high for protection in the case of low-speed impacts," the car maker claims.

The Avenger 4x4 Concept revealed alongside the production car increases approach and departure angles to 21 and 34 degrees respectively, boosts ground clearance beyond 200mm, and adds styling upgrades including larger wheels and tyres, and extra LED lighting.

The Avenger's design is a new take on Jeep's traditional styling cues, blending a closed-off 'seven-slot' front grille area with "trapezoidal" wheel arches, 18-inch wheels, a 'floating' rear pillar, high-set rear door handles, and tail-lights "inspired by the classic X fuel cans", according to Jeep.

Inside, a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen sits atop the dashboard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, voice recognition and over-the-air updates. A choice of 7.0-inch or 10.25-inch displays sit ahead of the driver.

The cabin is reportedly inspired by the Wrangler four-wheel-drive, with a body-coloured contrasting panel across the car's width, a three-spoke steering wheel, and an open storage shelf on the dashboard.

Available features include leather-accented upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and massaging, multi-colour ambient lighting, a sunroof, wireless smartphone charger, auto climate control, and a hands-free power tailgate.

Special-edition models at launch in Europe offer these features as standard, plus LED headlights and tail-lights, auto high beam, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and heated power-folding side mirrors

Jeep quotes 34 litres of storage in the front row, while there's 380L in the boot, accessible by a load opening said to be more than a metre wide.

A suite of advanced safety systems are available, including adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist (for Level 2 assisted driving), traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, parking sensors, and auto parking.

A range of more than 100 accessories will be available in Europe. Jeep will show a "customised" Avenger (above) at the Paris motor show, with black and blue accents, bonnet decals, and unique 'X-camo' woven upholstery.

The 2023 Jeep Avenger is due in Europe early next year. An Australian launch has not been locked in.