The Jeep Avenger is getting a refresh for 2026, bringing a smarter new look, extra technology and a special 85th Anniversary edition to the brand’s smallest SUV.
UK orders are due to open in late summer, with prices and full trim details to be confirmed closer to launch. Mirroring the pre-facelift version, the fully electric Avenger continues with a 54kWh battery, a 154bhp electric motor and a claimed range of up to 248 miles. It can charge at up to 100kW from a rapid charger, while 11kW AC charging is also supported.
It is a useful update for what has become one of Jeep’s most important cars in Europe. The Avenger was named European Car of the Year in 2023 and is now the brand’s best-selling model in Europe. Jeep says more than 270,000 cars have been sold since launch, with electrified models accounting for 60 per cent of the total.
The Avenger has also brought a different type of buyer to Jeep, a brand better known for rugged 4x4s than small electric crossovers. According to Jeep, the Avenger has attracted a higher share of female buyers and more drivers under 40 than the brand average.
Fabio Catone, Head of Jeep Brand in Enlarged Europe, said: “Wherever life takes you, the new Jeep Avenger is always the perfect fit: agile in the city, adventurous in the wild, and designed around the essence of ‘concentrated freedom.’ Designed and manufactured in Europe, it opens a new chapter: new features, more updates, and the exclusive 85th Anniversary Special Edition make it the most compelling Avenger yet.”
The biggest visual change is at the front, where the Avenger’s seven-slot Jeep grille now gets LED backlighting on higher trim levels. It is designed to make the car more recognisable at night and brings the smaller Avenger closer in look to the new Jeep Compass.
There are new front and rear bumpers, fresh 17in and 18in alloy wheel designs and new wheel centre caps carrying a stylised image of the original Willys Jeep. Two new colours, Forest and Bamboo, join the existing Granite, Ruby, Snow, Storm and Volcano shades, while a black roof will also be available.
Inside, Jeep says it has focused on improving the look and feel of the cabin. The door panels now use softer materials, while the lower dashboard gets a padded insert. The Selec-Terrain control, which lets the driver pick different modes for different surfaces, now has a red, rubber-coated surround to make it easier to find and use – again inspired by the new Jeep Compass.
The more useful changes are on the technology side. The updated Avenger gains LED matrix headlights, which can automatically adapt the beam depending on speed and traffic. The aim is to improve night-time visibility without dazzling other road users.
There is also a new front camera, which helps create a 360-degree view around the car on the central touchscreen. That should make life a little easier in tight car parks, narrow streets and those awkward spaces where the kerb always seems to be closer than it looks.
The Avenger may be Jeep’s baby SUV, but the brand is still keen to keep some of its outdoorsy flavour. Ground clearance is up to 210mm, while the approach, breakover and departure angles are quoted as up to 22 degrees, 21 degrees and 35 degrees respectively. Jeep’s Selec-Terrain and Hill Descent Control features are standard across the range, including front-wheel-drive versions of Avenger.
The wider Avenger line-up will include e-Hybrid, petrol and 4xe models, although the fully electric Avenger is the only version with a plug. The 4xe uses a petrol engine at the front and an electric motor at the rear for all-wheel drive, but it is not a plug-in hybrid.
Standard kit across the updated Avenger range includes full-LED front lights, automatic high beam, keyless start, cruise control and automatic air conditioning. There is also a 10.25in infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus over-the-air updates to bring future features and software upgrades.
Electric Avenger owners can use the Jeep app to check the battery level, schedule charging and pre-heat or cool the cabin from their phone. The same app can also locate the car and lock or unlock the doors.
Practicality remains sensible rather than huge. The boot offers up to 380 litres of space, with a 1-metre-wide tailgate opening and a reversible cargo floor with a washable surface on one side. Jeep also claims up to 34 litres of storage space inside the cabin.
The 85th Anniversary Special Edition adds gold-finish bumpers and wheels, anniversary logos, a tartan bonnet decal and seats with tartan trim and ‘85th Anniversary’ logos. LED matrix headlights, LED fog lamps and the aforementioned 360-degree camera system are standard on the special edition.
UK prices for the updated Avenger haven’t yet been confirmed, but the current car starts from £29,999. Full details of the new range, including the 85th Anniversary edition, will be announced closer to when order books open in the summer.
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