► A slight issue with the Jeep EV
► And we’re back to petrol
► Read month 2
When I first got the electric Jeep Avenger I promised to drive as many variants as possible – and I’ve just had my first taste of an Avenger with an engine, but not in the way I’d expected.
Picture the scene. It’s around 11pm and I’m listening to my podcast of choice, The Rest is History, when suddenly Tom Holland stops mid-sentence. I look at the central infotainment screen and find it completely blank – no podcast, no CarPlay, nothing. I turn back to look at the digital speedo and that’s gone too. The car continues to respond as usual, and after a few minutes it seems to reboot back to normal.
I ask Jeep to take a look, and after checking they tell me it’s because this car uses pre-production software. In the meantime, they send me a petrol version. I have a long trip planned, so I can give it a good test.
Finished in a fetching red and with the same styling, the replacement is similar to the EV in many ways. But the biggest difference? There’s a – wait for it – gearstick where the usual cubbyhole and row of buttons should be. When combined with a few hard plastics, it feels slightly less premium as a result – but that’s all forgotten after five minutes of driving.
This petrol car is light, a featherweight compared to the dense, squat feeling of the EV, and when combined with the same quick steering as my Avenger EV, it’s relatively fun to drive. It feels more alive, less stilted, and more engaging than the Avenger I’m used to.
It doesn’t have the same relentless torque as the EV, but that’s fine – it’s down to the driver to make the most of what the three-cylinder engine has to offer. It’s more satisfying than the rather sad four-button drive selector on the EV.
But the most interesting thing about the petrol Avenger? At £23,859 it’s over £10k cheaper than the cheapest Avenger EV; and it’s not £10k worse by any means. In fact, during my trip to the coast I realise this is the Avenger I’d rather be in.
Logbook: Jeep Avenger EV (month 3)
Price: £39,600 (£42,125 as tested)
Performance: 50.8kWh battery, e-motor, 154bhp, 9.6sec 0-62mph, 93mph
Range: 249 miles (official), 221 miles (tested)]
Energy cost: 15.0p per mile
Miles this month: 512
Total miles: 1381