Jeep has added yet another string to the Avenger compact SUV bow with the arrival of the unveiling of the 4xe plug-in hybrid option. The first Avenger model to offer all-wheel drive, the hybrid variant will join a range that kicked off in 2023 with an all-electric model before that was joined by the petrol- and hybrid-powered options earlier this year.
Off-road details
Visually, the Avenger 4xe looks the same as the petrol-powered Avenger already launched, but it gets a few little details designed to make it more off-road orientated. The rear tow hook, for example, and the standard-fit roof bars join slightly modified bumpers with an anti-scratch coating.
Other tweaks include a matt-black sticker on the bonnet to reduce reflections while driving, while mud and snow tyres come as standard, too. Black alloy wheels have also been fitted to complement the chunkier tyres, and there are new washable materials in the cabin, designed to make the car more resilient in the great outdoors.
Perhaps more importantly, the car has been raised by 10mm over the conventional e-Hybrid Avenger, allowing the 4xe to wade through 400mm of water, as well as permitting better approach and departure angles when off-roading.
Two motors, one engine
The highlight of the 4xe, however, is the 48-volt hybrid system, which combines a 1.2-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, giving the car all-wheel drive. In total, the three motors combine to produce 136hp - an increase of 36hp over the front-wheel-drive hybrid variant - and that power heads to the wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Jeep has confirmed the 4xe will be a little faster than the e-Hybrid, with a 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 190km/h, as well as giving the car more all-terrain capability. The all-wheel-drive system is “smart,” which means it offers a permanent 50:50 split front-to-rear at speeds below 30km/h, but the rear axle only activates when needed at speeds between 30- and 90km/h. Above that speed, the rear axle is permanently disengaged for maximum efficiency.
As a result, Jeep says it has been possible to ensure a “minimal” increase in CO2 emissions, despite the extra power and the all-wheel-drive hardware. That said, the company hasn’t confirmed exactly what the fuel consumption or emissions will be, so it’s difficult to judge the brand’s success. We do, however, know the standard, front-drive e-Hybrid emits 111g of carbon dioxide every kilometre, so we’re expecting a similar (albeit slightly higher) figure from the 4xe.
Clever tech
As well as offering an efficient way to add all-wheel-drive traction to the Avenger, the new hybrid system has also been integrated with Jeep’s ‘Selec-Terrain’ function, which allows the driver to select a mode suitable for the conditions. Auto provides all-wheel drive only when there’s slip at the front wheels, while Snow mode tweaks the stability control and keeps the all-wheel-drive system at the ready. Sand and Mud mode is designed for power delivery on uneven terrain, and Sport mode maximises the performance of the powertrain.
That isn’t the only function that’s new, either, because the 4xe is the only Avenger to get Jeep’s multi-link rear suspension, enhancing rear-axle articulation for traction on rough surfaces, and supposedly improving comfort, too.
On sale later this year
Jeep Ireland has not yet confirmed how much the 4xe versions of the Avenger will cost, but the company has confirmed more will be revealed closer to the order books opening at the tail end of this year.