The Jeep Avenger 4xe gets all-wheel drive and higher suspension

The Jeep, which doesn’t exist in the US, finally has what all Jeeps should have: four-wheel drive.

It’s strange to talk about a Jeep model that isn’t sold in the US. The Avenger, a small eurozone-only crossover that will be unveiled in 2022, will be built alongside its sister models Alfa Romeo Junior and Fiat 600 at the Tychy plant in Poland. It was only offered with front-wheel drive, but now with a new all-wheel drive. The hybrid trim offers what all Jeeps should have: all-wheel drive.

At the heart of the Avenger 4xe is a tiny 1.2-litre petrol engine with mild hybrid technology. It’s a three-cylinder turbo engine that produces 136bhp and sends power to the wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The combustion engine is joined by two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, each producing 28bhp.

Jeep claims the new hybrid setup enables a sprint to 62 mph in nine and a half seconds and a top speed of 121 mph. At speeds of up to 30 km/h, the Avenger 4xe always works in 4×4 mode with a 50:50 split between the two axles. From 30 to 90 km/h, front-wheel drive is activated by default, but the rear motor is always ready to intervene if necessary. Drive faster than 90 km/h and the rear engine switches off to reduce fuel consumption.

The 4xe brings even more advantages. The Hybrid trim also gets a multi-link rear suspension and increases ground clearance by an additional 0.4 inches, now at 8.26 inches. The approach angle of 22 degrees, departure angle of 35 degrees and ramp angle of 21 degrees are better than a regular front-wheel drive Avenger.

Jeep says the more powerful variant can traverse water to a depth of about 15.75 inches. To sweeten the fun, the driving modes “Snow”, “Sand & Mud”, “Sport” and “Auto” are available to choose from. Additionally, customers can spend more money on the optional all-terrain tires, which are better suited to tackling rough terrain.

Jeep has sharpened the Avenger’s appearance by giving the 4xe sturdy bumpers with scratch-resistant surfaces. Roof rails are standard, as is a rear trailer hitch. Inside, the seats are covered in a waterproof material that is said to be twice as durable as before. The seats also have a special coating that makes it easier to remove stains and mud.

The non-American Jeep Avenger 4xe is coming to Europe later this year. It complements the already available mild hybrid and purely electric derivatives, both of which are offered exclusively with front-wheel drive.

Gallery: 2024 Jeep Avenger 4xe

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