Minor tweaks, major expectations
It’s 85 years since the first Jeep rolled out of the factory. An anniversary of that magnitude usually warrants something substantial. A revolution, perhaps? A complete overhaul?
Jeep says: nah.
The 2026 Avenger arrives with barely a sweat. The bones are untouched. The electric motor spins exactly as before. The four-wheel-drive 4xe system remains largely unchanged. Even the manual petrol models only receive the slightest mechanical nudge. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they’ve polished the hubcaps.
Is it a bad car? No. It’s decent value. It’s fun. But expecting a landmark update from the world’s most iconic off-roader? You’ll be left waiting.
The updates are styling tweaks and cabin upgrades. The core is identical to last year’s model.
Cosmetic surgery on the outside
Let’s talk visuals. The front grille now features LED mood lighting, glowing softly to signal modernity. It has the classic seven-slot look. Oddly enough, the 1941 Willys originally had nine slots, so tradition here is… selective.
Optional matrix-LED headlights sit atop new front and rear bumpers. Those bumpers aren’t just for show. Small protruding inserts protect the vulnerable forward radar from stone chips and curb impacts. Smart thinking.
The wheels get new designs, available in 17-inch or 18-inch sizes. You can choose painted or diamond-cut finishes. Look closely at the centre caps and you’ll see an etched outline of that original 1941 Jeep. A subtle nod.
New colors have joined the palette. “Forest” is a sophisticated dark green metallic. “Bamboo” is… let’s call it an energy-drink green. Lurid? Maybe. Bright? Absolutely. You can still slap stickers and decals everywhere, which Jeep still encourages.
The 85th Anniversary Edition
For those wanting to celebrate without spending a fortune on a limited series, there is an 85th Anniversary trim.
It comes in that classy Forest Green. Gold highlights trim the alloy wheels and bumpers. An “85” badge sits proudly on the front wings. Inside, the theme continues with gold contrast stitching. The seats feature tartan centres.
It’s a nice package. A bit loud for some, certainly, but undeniably festive.
Inside the cabin: Plusher, but not premium
Visually, the interior hasn’t moved a millimeter. The layout is identical. But the materials have improved. Soft-touch plastics now cover the door panels and the lower dashboard. They look better. They feel better. Hard plastics used to dominate those areas.
The Altitude and Summit trims offer cloth and imitation leather seats. The off-road-focused 4xe model swaps elegance for utility with rugged, washable green seat covers. Practical.
A notable change? The ‘Select Terrain’ button is now bright red. It also has a rubberized toggle, making it satisfying to press. A small thing. But you notice it every drive.
The driving position remains low. The three-spoke steering wheel is compact and pleasant to hold. Physical buttons abound alongside the 10-inch touchscreen. A good balance, some might say.
However, the foldable iPad-style cover for the central bin still feels flimsy. It doesn’t inspire confidence. Nor does the parking camera setup.
The “360-degree” camera is a lie. There are only two cameras. The sides are digital guesswork.
Jeep made one interface improvement. Turning off the speed limit warning now requires a long press on the assistance menu button. A welcome tweak for those who find it intrusive.
But the indicator sound? It still sounds like a drum solo played by someone in a bad mood. It’s dreadful. And it’s still here.
Driving dynamics: Peppy, but imperfect
Under the hood (or battery pack), nothing has fundamentally changed. And honestly, that’s okay.
The electric model still boasts 154bhp. That’s enough to feel eager. The car feels small. Agile. Almost puppy-like in its acceleration. On a twisty B-road, the steering is light and quick. It feels engaging.
Push it harder, though, and physics asserts itself. Body roll sets in. Understeer takes the wheel. It’s not a hot hatch, but for its size and price, it’s lively.
Range is the weak spot. The quoted 250 miles is optimistic. In the real world, expect around 200. Charging up to 100KW helps, getting you from 10 to 80% in roughly 28 minutes. Acceptable. Not exceptional.
Off-road credibility? Yes.
Here’s the twist. Despite being Jeep’s smallest model, it’s serious off-road gear.
The 4xe variant sits high on the chassis at 210mm ground clearance. That rivals the much larger Jeep Compass. It has all-terrain tyres as standard. It even includes hill descent control and auto low-speed gear shifting.
Throw it in the mud, and it holds its own. Its smaller footprint might actually make it better than the big boys in tight, muddy terrain. It’s a surprising capability for such a city-focused car.
The petrol versions aren’t off-road stars. The mild-hybrid 99bhp manual has switched to a timing chain instead of a belt for longevity. Jeep has also jumped to eighth place in the Auto Express Driver Power survey, a massive jump in customer satisfaction. Good news.
Practicality remains a compromise
If you’re looking for space, look elsewhere.
The back seat is tight. If a tall person drives, the rear passengers get their knees crushed. There are hardly any cubbies or pockets for back-seat occupants. The boot holds 355 litres, which is useful for a weekly shop but not for camping gear.
The ride comfort is springy. On bad surfaces, the car bobbles. On decent roads, it’s fine. The hybrid 4xe suffers from poor refinement when the electric motor runs out of juice. You’ll hear it struggle.
The verdict
Has the Jeep changed? Not really.
Has it needed to? With over 280,00 Avengers sold in Europe, probably not.
It’s a sharper-looking car. A nicer interior. Still fun to drive. But is it the 85th-birthday celebration we expected? No. It feels more like a cosmetic patch than a genuine evolution. The electric version just needs more range to become a true rival to the best EVs.
For now, it remains a sweet, competent, slightly compromised small SUV. Nothing more. Nothing less.
