New Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face Edition review: fashion meets four-wheel drive

The important technical change is the second electric motor, although the only time you’ll ever really feel it working in everyday driving is if you’re a bit heavy-footed out of a tight junction on a wet day. Most of the time, the Avenger 4xe behaves just like the standard hybrid, although the way the system switches between electric and petrol power feels a little disjointed when compared with actual progress along the road. 

Hit the throttle, and the car moves forward instantly on electric power, giving the engine time to catch up. But when moving from electric to petrol power, the system feels jerky. The rorty three-cylinder engine note does add a sporty edge, however.

As with the rest of the Avenger line-up, the 4xe delivers a decent mix of comfort and handling. It features a multi-link axle to make room for the rear drive system (the electric motor isn’t physically connected to the rest of the powertrain, just the hybrid battery) and there’s a slight improvement in the Avenger’s ride when compared with the rest of the range. The steering is quick but without much feedback, but overall it’s pleasant enough to spend time at the wheel.

But there are still plenty of quirks that take some getting used to here. The push-button drive selector set low on the dashboard is shared with some other Stellantis models, although if you have the magnetic cubby lid open, you can hide them completely. 

Then there’s the space inside. The Avenger is better suited to couples that might have the need to use the back seats on occasion, because the rear is a little cramped even for children. The boot is smaller than the regular hybrid’s, with a capacity of 1,218 litres quoted with the back seats folded, compared with 1,277 litres for the standard model. 

But then the lack of space might not be an issue, especially if you’re going to use The North Face edition and its outward-bound accessories as it’s supposed to.