Jeep’s first electric vehicle (EV) is almost certain to become available in Australia with at least one petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
Speaking at the launch of the electric 2025 Jeep Avenger, Jeep Australia product manager Bridget Thomson made it clear that at least one of the three petrol-powered Avenger variants now also available in Europe will make their way into local Jeep showrooms.
“In Europe they’ve got an ICE [internal combustion engine] manual transmission variant, they’ve also got a front-wheel drive mild-hybrid variant and then they’ve got a 4xe hybrid variant as well,” said Ms Thomson.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
“At the moment we’re excited to launch the BEV [battery-electric vehicle], but I definitely wouldn’t rule out any powertrain enhancement in the future.”
Currently in the UK, another right-hand drive market that has similar safety and emissions demands to Australia, the Avenger is available with four powertrain choices, including the front-wheel drive EV that launches here this month, one pure petrol engine and two 48-volt mild-hybrid engines (including an all-wheel drive option).
Opening the range at £24,999 (A$48,233) is a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine producing 75kW of power and 205Nm of torque, returning combined fuel consumption of 5.7-5.8L/100km, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds.
It’s matched exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, making it unlikely for Australia.
Next up is the Avenger e-Hybrid available in three grades priced from £25,999 (A$50,162), fitted with the same engine, still driving only the front wheels and outputting the same 75kW/205Nm, but this time equipped with an electric motor and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with shift paddles.
Claimed to offer improved acceleration and a short EV driving mode, it lowers consumption to 4.9L/-5.1L/100km and drops the 0-100km/h claim to 10.4s.
Then there’s the full-electric Avenger that’s now available in Australia, where three trim levels are also available, once again driving only the front wheels but this time using a 115kW/260Nm electric motor powered by a 54kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery.
Based on a 400V electrical system that supports DC charging at up to 100kW, it has a claimed WLTP range of at least 390km, a 0-100km/h time of 9.0s, and a top speed of 150km/h.
The Avenger EV is priced from £29,999 (A$57,880) in the UK, and from $49,990 plus on-road costs in Australia following a $4000 base price cut in September, before first local customer deliveries took place this month.
Topping the UK lineup is the new Avenger 4xe, available in two grades priced from £30,999 (A$59,809) and fitted not with a plug-in hybrid powertrain like Jeep’s other 4xe vehicles, but the same 1.2-litre turbo triple matched with a pair of 21kW electric motors.
One electric motor is located on the rear axle, while the other is built into the six-speed dual-clutch auto, giving the Avenger 4xe all-wheel drive.
The result is combined outputs of 101kW/230Nm, fuel consumption of 5.4-5.5L/100km, a top speed of 194km/h, and 0-100km/h in 9.5s – making it 0.5s slower than the EV, which has a much lower top speed (150km/h).
For the record, the adventure-focused Avenger 4xe also gains multi-link rear suspension, replacing the rear torsion beam of other Avengers, and at speeds under 30km/h the 4xe is permanently all-wheel drive, with a 50:50 split.
Above 30km/h, the rear electric motor activates only on demand to provide AWD traction, and then above 90km/h it disengages for maximum fuel efficiency.
There’s also a 10mm increase in ground clearance, and improved approach, breakover and departure angles of 22, 21, and 35 degrees, respectively.
Maximum wading depth is a claimed 400mm and the more rugged 4xe also scores a rear tow hook, roof bars, and durable ‘waterproof’ seats as standard.
In the UK, a range-topping Avenger 4xe The North Face Edition (pictured here) is fitted with a range of orange-themed interior and exterior extras, priced from £34,999 (A$67,733).
While the slightly tougher all-wheel drive 4xe would be marginally more expensive than the EV if it was sold here, the mild-hybrid e-Hybrid could be significantly cheaper.
However, Ms Thomson wouldn’t reveal which hybrid powertrain was most likely for Australia.
“I don’t want to rule any specific powertrains out, but I do think there’s more opportunity for this car outside of the BEV,” she said.
“I just wouldn’t rule anything out. Nudge nudge, wink wink.”
Asked how quickly 4xe or e-Hybrid versions of the Avenger could arrive here if Jeep Australia asked for them today, Ms Thomson said: “It’s very difficult to say and I wouldn’t want to nail anything specific down at the moment”.
All Avenger models are made at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland, alongside the Fiat 600 and Alfa Romeo Junior compact SUVs with which they share their STLA Small (e-CMP2) platform.
MORE: Everything Jeep Avenger
