JEEP AVENGER 4XE

Baby Jeep finally gets a 4WD system - but a highly unconventional one

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Jeep has finally given its most popular car the credibility it so needs. The Avenger may have done wonders for Jeep's European sales figures, but can you really take a Jeep seriously when it's only available with front-wheel drive?

Enter the Avenger 4xe. It uses the familiar Stellantis 134bhp hybrid system, wherein a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor in the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox combine forces to power the front wheels, but with another 28bhp electric motor added to the rear axle for four-wheel drive. It also gets a 10mm-raised ride height, some skidplates, redesigned bumpers for better approach and departure angles and a multi-link rear axle to give better rear suspension articulation.

We first drove the 4xe in Italy earlier this year; now we've spent more time in it on and off UK roads.

On Tarmac, it’s mostly standard Stellantis fare. We've tried this hybrid system in many applications now, and it’s better behaved in some than in others. In the 4xe, it’s pretty rough: it vibrates as if it has a collapsed engine mount and at low speeds the clutch engagement is unpredictable. Sometimes it doesn’t want to go, other times it kangaroos away from the line.

The power is at least well matched to the car's weight, so once on the move it goes well enough and at higher revs it emits an appealing three-pot thrum. If you suddenly demand extra power, though, it’s very slow to get the message and execute a downshift.