A former British Touring Car support racer, Nick is the founder of ChooseMyCar and brings years of industry insight to the world of cars and car buying.
Overall Rating
4.1/5
Based on expert evaluation and real-world testing
Performance
3.9
Comfort & Interior
4.3
Running Costs
3.7
Practicality
4
Expert Review
Our ratings are based on thorough testing and expert evaluation. We consider all aspects of the vehicle, from performance to value for money, ensuring you get a transparent and reliable assessment.
Overview
Looking for a compact SUV with genuine off-road character? The Jeep Avenger might be exactly what you need. This small crossover brings proper Jeep DNA into the crowded urban SUV market, offering a blend of rugged styling, practical size, and surprisingly capable technology. It’s designed for drivers who want the commanding driving position of an SUV without the bulk of larger models.
From the moment you see it, the Avenger stands out with its distinctive seven-slot grille and muscular stance. Unlike softer rivals like the Nissan Juke or Renault Captur, the Avenger looks ready for adventure. The interior feels more premium than you’d expect in this price range, with robust materials and intuitive tech that includes a responsive touchscreen and smartphone integration as standard.
Driving the Avenger delivers a surprisingly refined experience for a small SUV. The engines are efficient and smooth, making city driving effortless while offering enough punch for motorway journeys. The ride quality strikes a good balance between comfort and control, giving you confidence on both urban streets and country lanes. While it commands a slight premium over some mainstream alternatives, you’re paying for authentic Jeep heritage and build quality that feels solid and dependable from day one.
What's the Jeep Avenger Like to Drive?
The Jeep Avenger focuses on efficiency and everyday usability rather than outright performance. The range centres around a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine producing 100 horsepower, paired with a smooth six-speed manual gearbox. This combination feels perfectly adequate for city driving and offers respectable acceleration for overtaking on A-roads. The engine delivers its power smoothly and quietly, making the Avenger feel more refined than many compact SUVs in this class.
Where the Avenger really impresses is in its driving manners and versatility. The steering is well-weighted and precise, making parking easy while providing good feedback at higher speeds. The suspension setup manages to soak up most road imperfections without feeling too soft or wallowy around corners. Unlike some rivals that feel like tall hatchbacks, the Avenger genuinely feels like a proper SUV with a commanding driving position and confident road presence. The available hybrid and electric variants add extra efficiency options without compromising the core driving experience.
Key Features
Essential specifications and features
-
Engine
1.2L 3-cylinder Turbo Petrol / Electric
-
Power Output
100 - 156 bhp
-
0-60 mph
9.5 - 8.5 seconds
-
MPG Combined
48 - 60 mpg
- Boot Space
- 380 litres
- Safety Rating
- (Euro NCAP)
How Comfortable Is the Jeep Avenger?
Step inside and you’ll immediately notice the Avenger’s superior interior quality compared to many budget SUVs. The dashboard design is modern and functional, featuring a large central touchscreen that controls most functions. The materials feel robust and well-chosen, with soft-touch surfaces where you interact most. The seats offer good support for both short trips and longer journeys, with plenty of adjustment to help you find the perfect driving position.
The cabin feels surprisingly spacious for such a compact SUV. Front passengers get plenty of head and legroom, while the rear seats can comfortably accommodate adults on shorter journeys. Standard equipment is generous, including climate control, smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a decent sound system. The interior design emphasises the Avenger’s outdoor character with rugged detailing and practical storage solutions throughout the cabin that make everyday life easier.
The Jeep Avenger successfully brings authentic SUV character to the compact crossover segment. It stands out with genuinely rugged styling that looks the part both in town and on country tracks. The interior quality exceeds expectations for the price point, feeling solid and well-built rather than cheap or flimsy. On the road, it delivers a confident and refined driving experience that makes everyday journeys more enjoyable. The trade-offs include a higher price than some mainstream rivals and slightly less interior space than purpose-built family cars. However, these compromises are reasonable given the premium feel and distinctive character you get in return. The Avenger is perfect for buyers who want something different from the usual small SUV choices. If you appreciate authentic design, solid build quality, and the confidence that comes with proper SUV character, the Avenger delivers exactly what it promises.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Jeep Avenger?
As a modern small SUV, the Jeep Avenger delivers reasonable running costs for its class. The efficient turbo engine typically returns real-world fuel economy in the high 40s to low 50s MPG range, helping keep fuel bills manageable. Insurance groups are moderate for the segment, though they may be slightly higher than for equivalent mainstream models due to the Jeep badge and SUV classification.
The initial purchase price positions the Avenger as a premium option in the small SUV market, reflecting its superior build quality and brand heritage. Servicing costs are competitive with other European models, and Jeep’s improving reliability record means fewer unexpected bills. When considering total cost of ownership, the Avenger’s strong build quality and desirable image help it retain value well. Car finance options make the monthly costs more manageable, with competitive rates available across hire purchase and PCP deals.
How Does It Compare?
Compare key features and specifications
|
Jeep Avenger
|
Nissan Juke
|
Renault Captur
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £26,500 | £24,000 | £23,500 |
|
Performance
|
|||
| Engine | 1.2L Turbo 100hp | 1.0L DIG-T 114hp | 1.0L TCe 100hp |
| Power | 100 bhp | 114 bhp | 100 bhp |
| 0-60 mph | 9.5 seconds | 9.9 seconds | 10.2 seconds |
|
Running Costs
|
|||
| MPG Combined | 50 mpg | 47 mpg | 51 mpg |
|
Practicality
|
|||
| Boot Space | 380 litres | 422 litres | 348 litres |
|
Standard Features
|
|||
| Key Features | Authentic Jeep styling, Premium interior, Off-road capability | Distinctive design, Established reliability, Good equipment | French flair, Practical interior, Competitive pricing |
Jeep Avenger Practicality & Boot Space
For a compact SUV, the Jeep Avenger offers impressive practical benefits. The 380-litre boot is a good size for the class, easily handling the weekly shopping or several large suitcases. The rear seats fold down to expand cargo space when needed, and the loading lip is at a convenient height. Inside the cabin, you’ll find useful storage compartments for phones, drinks, and everyday items that make the Avenger genuinely user-friendly.
The higher driving position gives you a better view of the road ahead, which many drivers find confidence-inspiring in traffic. While rear-seat space is adequate for adults on shorter trips, families with teenagers might find it a bit snug for longer journeys. The Avenger works well for young professionals, couples, or small families who want SUV versatility without the bulk or cost of larger models. Compared to other used Jeep cars, it offers the brand’s character in a much more manageable urban-friendly package.
“Really impressed with the build quality and how solid everything feels. The driving position is perfect and it handles much better than I expected for a small SUV. The only minor issue is that rear space could be a bit more generous, but overall it’s a fantastic little car.” by Marcus Thompson
The Jeep Avenger carves out its own niche in the competitive small SUV market by offering genuine character and premium build quality. It successfully packages Jeep’s rugged heritage, modern efficiency, and practical everyday usability into a compact and manageable form. While it may cost slightly more than some alternatives, you’re investing in authentic design, superior interior quality, and the confidence that comes with proper SUV capabilities.
You choose the Avenger because you want a small SUV that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Its distinctive styling, solid construction, and refined driving experience make every journey more enjoyable. It’s ideally suited for urban life while remaining capable enough for weekend adventures. If you’re looking for a compact crossover that offers genuine character and premium appeal, the Avenger should definitely be on your shortlist, especially with attractive how to find the cheapest car finance deals in the uk available.