JEEP AVENGER 2026 | PROVA in ANTEPRIMA e PREZZI.

The Jeep Avenger's mid-life restyling has arrived, and at TechDrive we got a closer look. Aesthetically, the change is dramatic: the new Matrix LED headlights stand out up front, while the seven iconic Jeep slits are backlit by an LED strip that virtually connects the two light clusters, complemented by a slightly revised bumper. The restyling is less noticeable at the rear, with minor tweaks to the headlights and rear bumper. The real leap is under the hood, where the engine range expands on four fronts. The new Turbo 100 debuts, a 1.2-liter manual gasoline engine that finally ditches the oil-bath belt in favor of a timing chain. The 110 hp e-Hybrid remains, with 48V mild hybrid technology, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (made in Italy), and a small battery of less than 1 kWh. For those seeking all-wheel drive, the 4xe combines the same 1.2 Turbo engine with two 21 kW electric motors, one integrated into the front gearbox and one at the rear, for a combined system output of 145 hp: one of the very few true four-wheel drive solutions in the B-segment, albeit without a mechanical propshaft. The range is rounded out by the 100% electric version, with a 54 kWh battery, 156 hp, charging up to 100 kW DC, and a claimed range of up to 400 km (WLTP). The trunk remains generous, 380 liters on the gasoline and e-Hybrid versions, decreasing to 325 liters on the 4xe due to the new multi-link rear suspension. The wheels have also been changed, with new 17- and 18-inch designs, two new body colors (Forest and Bamboo), and a hubcap that recalls the historic Willys logo. At 4.08 meters long, the Avenger offers decent headroom but less legroom in the rear, where there's only a single USB-C port and air vents under the front seats. The most noticeable improvement, however, is in the materials: softer plastics are used in the upper part of the dashboard, while the seats feature new stitching, while the lower area remains made of harder plastic. The steering wheel houses the driver assistance controls on the left and the multimedia controls on the right, with paddle shifters and an automatic transmission selector that also allows manual mode. Even versions without all-wheel drive have a selector for Sport, Normal, Sand, and Mud, which adjusts the electronics of the engine and transmission. The Uconnect infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated TomTom navigation, and ChatGPT voice assistant responds naturally to voice commands; as a hidden gem, holding down the car icon button for 3 seconds deactivates the speed limit warning. When driving, the difference in perceived quality is immediately noticeable. We also tested the 4xe on an off-road course: the rear multilink works well with the 21 kW electric motor, which remains active even when the small battery is technically flat. The ride is balanced, and the typical harshness of the 1.2-liter three-cylinder has been smoothed out, resulting in less perceived cabin noise. The 360° camera also debuts, reconstructing the lateral view by combining images from the front and rear cameras. On the Summit, the second-level driving assistants are well-calibrated. After criticisms of the interior quality of the previous generation, Jeep has truly made a step forward here. It's no coincidence: it's been the best-selling B-SUV in Italy for three years, and the restyling is aimed more at consolidating that lead than overturning it. The 85th Anniversary special edition also debuts, with gold accents, available in both front-wheel drive and 4xe configurations. As for pricing, the gasoline and e-Hybrid versions cost €500 more than the pre-facelift, while the electric model remains unchanged. Prices start at €25,700 for the Turbo 100, €27,700 for the e-Hybrid, €32,700 for the 4xe, and €39,400 for the all-electric model (base trim). Orders are now open, with deliveries starting in September.