Can a Jeep not have four-wheel drive? Of course not. And so the Avenger, a true best-seller of the American brand in Italy, expands its offer with the arrival of a 4×4 version that combines four-wheel drive with a hybrid powertrain. It is called Avenger 4xe and is powered by a 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine combined with two electric motors. One, as on the 4×2 version, is placed inside the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the other (which is the real novelty), is located near the rear axle and transmits drive to the rear wheels.
The car emphasises its off-road vocation with dedicated bumpers made of scratch-resistant material, new fog lights, roof bars and an exposed rear tow hook that can come in handy when tackling particularly demanding off-road routes. Also standard are four-season Mud & Snow tyres, but, above all, a trim raised by 1 centimetre that brings ground clearance to 21 cm and fording capacity to 40 cm.
The Jeep Avenger 4xe also differs from the rest of the range in the presence of green details and a revised interior. Stepping aboard one discovers aluminium-coloured trim on the dashboard and touches of colour on the air vents. Added to this are seats upholstered in a special waterproof and stain-resistant fabric that has twice the wear resistance.
Put to the test on an off-road course, the Avenger 4xe, with 145 horsepower delivered to all four wheels, moves with a certain ease. Designed more for tackling the cold months and icy or snow-covered winter roads than for climbing trails and mule tracks, it takes advantage of its compact dimensions and rear-mounted engine to overcome mud and dirt without hesitation. In the end, it is a winner because it is more versatile and safer without compromising comfort in everyday riding. On the contrary.
