Jeep Avenger Electric

Jeeps entry-level EV is goes under the knife for a mid-life refresh. Does it take it to the top of the class? There were those that were sceptical there could be such a thing as a small Jeep, and an electrically powered two-wheel-drive one at that. Yet the Avenger has proved a runaway European hit for the American brand, and its mix of rugged looks, easy-going character and efficient running costs have attracted a a whole new demographicTo maintain interest in its big seller, Jeep has treated the model to a mid-life update that keeps things fresh without diluting the winning formula. Subtly revised looks and an interior that has been sprinkled with some enhanced premium appeal are the most obvious changes, while tweaks to the EV versions' innards run to the addition of V2L capability.The visual updates also include the petrol, hybrid and 4x4 versions, which you can read about here. However, for this review we’ll concentrate on the all-electric model, which is perhaps one of the most important new models the firm has launched in a whileFor starters, the Avenger broke new ground in terms of footprint. Discount the original Willys, which dates from 1940, and the Avenger is the most compact Jeep yet conceived. (The 61bhp hero of World War II is about an arm’s length shorter.)You should also know that behind the signature seven-slot grille, the short overhangs and the bevelled proportions, the Avenger has about as much in common with the beloved Jeep Wrangler as it does the Vauxhall Corsa, with which this pint-sized new Jeep shares a platform.Given all of the above, it's only natural to wonder whether this is a real Jeep at all.So long as the Avenger achieves its aim, Stellantis, parent company to Jeep and 13 other makes, won’t care what the purists think. This car was tasked with redefining Jeep in Europe and invigorating limp sales figures propped up only by lingering popularity in Italy. When it was launched the brand's bosses claimed it was “the right car at the right time” – and sales figures that run to 280,000 and counting (across all powertrains, although 60% of those sold are electrified) proves they were right.Mining such a popular sector presents the Jeep with no shortage of rivals, of course. Ford, Renault, Smart and a host of good-value Chinese and South Korean brands now swim in the compact crossover pool. And that's before you consider closely related rivals from the same Stellantis stable, such as the Fiat 600e and Peugeot e2008.For now there are three trim levels: Summit, Skyview and 85th Anniversary (which celebrates the brand's, erm, 85th birthday), with prices for the latter starting at just over £33,000 before any Government plug-in grants are taken into consideration.