It is not excessive. It contains the essential elements needed to live in this era. This is the Jeep’s first pure electric SUV, the ‘Avenger.’ I drove the Avenger along a 35km stretch from Gangnam, Seoul to Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province on the 28th.
The Avenger was unveiled in September 2022 during Jeep’s 4Xe Day alongside the Recon and Wagoneer S, and mass production began in Poland from January last year. It has already surpassed 100,000 cumulative sales in Europe. After being sold in Europe for more than a year, the Avenger has now arrived in Asia, with Korea being its first destination. This indicates how important the Korean market is to Jeep.
The seven vertical grilles, a symbol of Jeep, and the integrated headlights remind me of David who picked up stones against Goliath.
With compact dimensions of 4,085 x 1,775 x 1,530mm, the roofline extending from the A-pillar to the D-pillar showcases the Avenger’s dynamism. The wheelbase measures 2,560mm. Sitting in the second row leaves me with about a fist and a half of space above my head and in front of my knees. Most compact SUVs have very cramped second-row space. However, the Avenger has a long wheelbase with shortened front and rear overhangs.
A 10.25-inch touchscreen display resembling a tablet PC protrudes from the dashboard. Through this display, the vehicle’s status can be checked in real-time. Below the display are the climate control buttons and gear shift buttons.
In a world where unnecessary features are stripped away, there is no built-in navigation map. Navigation directions are provided via wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving.
The steering turns in 2.6 revolutions lock-to-lock, and the steering response is quite light.
The Avenger boasts a 54kWh lithium-ion battery and delivers a maximum output of 115kW (156 horsepower) and a peak torque of 270Nm (27.6kg.m), achieving a range of up to 400km under WLTP standards and a maximum of 292km according to domestic Environmental Agency certifications.
In its compact body, the Avenger smoothly navigates through the busy one-way streets of Gangnam. It maneuvers with ease, akin to a loach gliding through water, without needing to fuss over a truck parked in a narrow alley.
The Avenger has a fun feature. When the turn signals or hazard lights are activated, a rhythmic sound accompanies the blinking of the hazard lights. This small, amusing feature makes me unconsciously move my shoulders and chuckle.
In the bustling streets of Seoul, all I can feel are the minor vibrations of the surface flowing through my seat. The only sound I hear is the faint noise of passing vehicles. Surprisingly effective noise insulation allows for seamless conversation with my co-passenger.
Although the Avenger is an electric vehicle, it doesn’t feel out of place. It accelerates smoothly and showcases commendable performance. Unlike most electric cars that deliver abrupt driving due to their continuous variable transmission, the Avenger allows for a seamless drive without any oddities typical of electric vehicles. It’s like a small predator quietly moving without detection after spotting its prey.
Even at high speeds, the Avenger glides smoothly, and the wind noise turns into a gentle hum, akin to a lullaby for the driver.
Pressing the D button again activates the regenerative braking mode, and the sensation of regenerative braking is just as unbothering as the acceleration.
Driving assistance systems are also included. The traffic congestion around Seoul is always a headache. In this situation, adaptive cruise control is the answer. It adjusts speed according to traffic flow rather than stubbornly sticking to its own pace. During long drives or in traffic, even a momentary lapse in concentration can expose one to the risk of accidents. However, adaptive cruise control temporarily eases the driver’s fatigue and stress. Additionally, the Altitude trim includes blind spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring systems as safety precautions against possible accidents.
The Avenger is not just expected to perform well on the road as an urban electric SUV; it has recognized off-road capabilities that meet Jeep’s lineage expectations. The Selec-Terrain system equipped in the Avenger adeptly handles rough terrains. The icing on the cake is the Hill Descent Control, allowing it to descend steep slopes like a child holding their parent’s hand, exhibiting excellent control.
The Avenger exemplifies a realistic electric vehicle of this era with no excess or deficiency, striking the perfect balance with existing internal combustion models. The thoughtful Avenger is expected to gain considerable popularity.
The test vehicle was the Avenger Altitude trim, priced at 56.4 million won.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr