The Jeep Avenger debuted three years ago, but until now it has been only front-wheel drive.
- Orders for the all-wheel drive Jeep Avenger have begun.
- Dubbed the Avenger 4xe, the city crossover has an eAWD system.
The Jeep Avenger is the American automaker’s smallest car, and it’s finally getting a feature that it should have had since the get-go: all-wheel drive. Yes, you read that right. Jeep, which is known the world over for its off-road-capable vehicles, has been selling a front-wheel-drive crossover in Europe for roughly two years.
That’s finally changing. Though the updated version was announced last year, the order books are finally opening up. Deliveries in Europe are scheduled to begin in May. Sorry, Americans: it’s not coming to the United States.
The Avenger 4xe’s powertrain is interesting. Its main power source is a 1.2-liter turbo engine that’s good for 136 horsepower. It sends that to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Additionally, Jeep’s city crossover has a pair of small electric motors—one at the front and one at the rear—enabling electric all-wheel drive. Each of the motors makes just 28 horsepower (21 kilowatts), so it’s not exactly breathtaking.
The total system output is rated at 145 hp, which is enough to propel the B-segment crossover from zero to 62 miles per hour in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 120 miles per hour. That’s 6 mph (10 kph) faster than the front-wheel drive e-Hybrid version of the Avenger.
All that being said, Jeep’s implementation of this e-AWD system is purely for low-speed driving. For starters, just 28 hp can go to the rear wheels at any given moment, with the automaker adding that the rear e-motor will automatically disengage at speeds above 56 mph (90 kph). Between 18 and 56 mph, the rear motor engages only when needed, and below 18 mph, it’s constantly on, providing a 50:50 torque split.
Mind you, this is not a plug-in hybrid like the Wrangler 4xe but rather a mild hybrid with 48-volt bits. As such, Jeep says that the Avenger 4xe could drive in electric-only mode at speeds of up to 18 mph for up to three-fifths of a mile (1 km).
According to the American automaker, the diminutive off-roader comes with approximately a quarter-inch (10 millimeters) more ground clearance than the regular version and it can ford water as high as 15.7 inches (400 mm) deep. The 4xe also gets anti-scratch bumpers, roof rails, all-season Goodyear tires, underbody protection and a rear tow hook. Inside, there’s a black headliner and waterproof covers for the seats.
