How Jeep has differentiated its 2024 Avenger electric car from rivals like the Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV and Peugeot e-2008

When you think of an electric car, chances are images of the sleek and ultra-modern Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Tesla Model 3 spring to mind, not the upright, boxy and almost rugged Jeep Avenger.

But there’s a reason why Jeep Australia’s first all-electric model adheres closer in aesthetic to the Wrangler and original Willys than something found in the Cyberpunk 2077 video game.

Speaking to local journalists about the design of the Avenger, Jeep Head of Design Enlarged Europe, Daniele Calonaci, confirmed that interior practicality and useable boot space were crucial in the electric SUV's development.

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“The Avenger, it is a compact car, but the idea is always to give space for our customers,” he said.

“This is really important because [with other crossover EVs], yes, they are aerodynamic, but in the end, you don’t have space for the rear passengers and for the trunk.

“The idea [with Avenger] is to really enhance the functionality of the interior.”

Of course, a more upright design also means the Avenger isn’t as efficient as slipperier models like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, but Calonaci said the sacrifice of a few kilometres in driving range is a worthwhile trade off.

The Avenger is an upright, boxy and almost rugged SUV.

“Maybe we can compromise one or two kilometres, so in a range of 400 or 600 kilometres, it’s nothing because we are working with engineering tricks,” he said.

“We are not going to compromise the range, but for sure we will push to have as much space as possible in the interior.”

The Avenger features a 54kWh battery that is good for a WLTP-certified range of 400km, compared with the upcoming Hyundai Kona EV that is expected to boast a circa-420km driving range from a 65.4kWh battery pack.

Calonaci emphasised the approach is to balance range with design however, and that engineering advancements allow Jeep models to retain their signature looks in the transition to an electric future.

The Avenger is Jeep Australia’s first all-electric model.

“This is a huge conversation we always have with engineering because from one side, for sure, we want to have as much space as possible in the interior, but from the other side it’s very important – especially from the Stellantis point of view – to have the range that is requested by the brand,” he said.

“For the future models, we are working with many, many tricks that will allow us to have the boxy volume, but at the same time to reach their aerodynamic target.

“It is something that we are solving with the design and engineering team, but we want to balance this space inside with the aerodynamic approach.”

Despite being a small SUV in the same vein as the Hyundai Kona EV and MG ZS EV, the Avenger has a smaller footprint, measuring just 4084mm long, 1776mm wide, 1528mm tall and with a 2560mm wheelbase.

The Avenger features a 54kWh battery that is good for a WLTP-certified range of 400km.

Even as a small, front-drive EV, Jeep still says the Avenger retains the brand’s ‘go anywhere’ attitude and even includes sand, mud and snow driving models.

This Jeep ethos also influenced the Avenger’s design, according to Calonaci, despite its new powertrain and underpinnings shared with the Peugeot e-2008.

“The idea is to maintain … the functional approach for the Jeep vehicle,” he said.

“Electric is only an announcement of capability for the future of Jeep, it’s really important for us to electrify the line-up… Torque and torque on demand will be the best thing that you can have in the off-road.

Interior practicality and useable boot space were crucial in the electric SUV's development.

“Step by step we will improve always in the future the off-road capability of the Jeep line-up.

“But the design will always remain functional.”

Of course, you shouldn’t expect the Avenger to be able to keep up with the likes of the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee when out in the bush, as Jeep’s EV is still designed to be a city car first, just with more capability than other electric cars in its class.

“The Avenger, being the entry level of Jeep, is the first step in off-roading and going outdoors,” Calonaci said.

Jeep still says the Avenger retains the brand’s ‘go anywhere’ attitude.

“For sure, it won’t have the capability of a Wrangler, we’re talking about a compact car, we are also obliged to have compact batteries.

“It is a car that is meant to be used in the city, and the outdoors close to the city.”

Jeep Australia’s Avenger is expect to hit local showrooms towards the end of 2024.