► Updated Avenger drops wet belt for a chain
► Styling updates bring it more in-line with Compass
► Includes an 85th Anniversary edition
The Jeep Avenger has received its first major facelift since its introduction three years ago, which brings it more in-line with the larger Compass SUV.
The Avenger has been the best-selling model from the American brand in Europe, reaching a peak of 270,000 orders in the region since 2023. The facelift brings new updates including a reworked engine, trim upgrades, and an 85th Anniversary edition.
Out with the belts, in with the chains
At the heart of the Avenger’s changes is the dropping the the dreaded ‘wet belt’ system of the Stellantis 1.2 litre PureTech engine. In its place is a revised version of the engine featuring a more durable timing chain along with new injectors and revised internals. On its own, it develops 101hp and can be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox in base trim.
As before, there’s also a couple of hybrids; beginning with the e-Hybrid model, which develops 110hp and is teamed with a six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and a tiny 48V 0.9kWh lithium ion battery. Jeep claims it offers a mere one kilometre of driving range when travelling below 30kmh. A more rugged AWD 4xe model ups the engine’s power to 145hp and a rear electric motor driving the back axle. Jeep claims it can tackle slopes of up to 40%.
If you want more electric range, a full BEV is still available, too. The Avenger Electric has 156hp from its 54kWh battery pack and can support up to 100kW DC charging and 11kW AC charging.
What’s changed outside?
Key to the exterior changes of the new Avenger are several styling tweaks which mirror its larger Compass sibling with the aim of bringing a ‘family’ look to the Jeep model range.
Chief among which is a seven-slot illuminated grille to help it stand out at night as well as plastic cladding throughout the body. The 4xe variant sports red details at the front to distinguish it from the rest of the range. Also introduced on the facelift is a set of LED matrix headlights which automatically adapts the beams according to the current speed and traffic conditions.
In an effort to add more toughness to the baby Jeep, the Avenger now has colour-matched skid plates to prevent damage from some light off-roading as well as plenty of exterior cladding. In a nod to its history, the new 17 and 18 inch alloy wheels feature wheel caps with a little profile of its WW2 ancestor. The harking back doesn’t end there, either.
The 85th Anniversary edition references the beginning of production of the original Willys-Overland MB – also known as the Ford GPW – in November 1941. It wasn’t until 1945 when consumer vehicles under the official Jeep brand began production.
On the Avenger, there are a pair 85th Anniversary badges on the front wings teamed with gold accents on the wheels and, in this case, a distinctive green shade of paint that somewhat references the Willys original.
What about the interior?
There are some notable changes inside which bring the new Avenger up to date; a standout being in higher trims, a 360 degree parking camera is offered for the first time.
There are also some new material upgrades, including some padding on the lower dashboard teamed with softer materials on the door panels in an effort to add some plushness. The 4xe sports a mostly-green interior with what Jeep claim are ‘washable’ materials.
In the 85th Anniversary edition, the 85th badge on the front wings can also be found on the seats along with a tartan pattern gold stitching to mirror the alloy wheels.
As for other areas throughout the cabin, there’s a 10 x 25 inch screen like before, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as the same 380 litres of boot space.
Order books are open now and the facelifted Avenger is expected to arrive in the UK in September this year.
