What's the difference?
This Jeep isn’t a 4WD, it’s electric, front-wheel drive and built on the same platform as cars from France.
It’s not sounding very ‘Jeep’ so far, but the Avenger isn’t trying to be a traditional Jeep in that sense.
What it is trying to do is draw in a new kind of Jeep owner, and lead the brand into the electric era without being all ‘EV-ish’ - just a car that happens to be electric.
So can Jeep do it? We’re jumping in the light SUV as it hits our shores to find out.
According to the chief engineer for the Toyota C-HR, a second generation was never guaranteed for this uncharacteristically (for Toyota) design-led small SUV.
After the Corolla Cross came into existence, the top brass didn’t think the brand needed two similarly sized models in the line-up. So, why is it here, and is it any good?
The first question is easy to answer - the team drew the new C-HR up as a European model, built in hybrid-only and with enough key differences from the Corolla Cross to avoid the models competing.
The second question? Let’s find out.
The Jeep Avenger is a strong move for the brand as a city-focused offering, and particularly as its first EV.
The styling and easy driving experience should be a draw, but its price in an increasingly competitive small SUV (and electric car) market could be a turn-off for some - even if it is only few thousand dollars more expensive than the slightly larger Compass.
Despite a couple of small flaws and a lacklustre safety rating overseas, the Avenger is ultimately one of the best-driving cars the brand has put out in years, and deserves a look if you’re keen on a practical but stylish EV.
There’s not much in terms of practicalities that are going to convince you the C-HR is a better option than Toyota’s other small SUV, the Corolla Cross.
Even other ‘stylish’ small SUVs like the Mazda CX-30, fuel savers like the electric MG ZS EV, or performance small SUVs like the Hyundai Kona N are more affordable than the GR Sport version of the C-HR.
In the case of this car, unlike most of its Toyota stablemates, buyers will likely be making a decision from the heart based on exterior styling and its interior rather than value or practicality.
And who would anyone be to tell you not to buy a car you like for its styling?