Jeep Avenger (Image courtesy of Stellantis Korea)
SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Jeep, the American brand renowned for its rugged off-road vehicles, is preparing to launch its first all-electric SUV, the Avenger, in South Korea next month.
This move marks a significant step in the brand’s electrification journey and its expansion in the Asian market.
The compact electric SUV, which has garnered over 100,000 orders since its European debut in late 2022, is making its Asian premiere in South Korea, excluding the Middle East.
The Avenger has already earned accolades, including Jeep’s first-ever “European Car of the Year” title and “Best Family SUV” in the Women’s World Car of the Year 2023 awards.
At a media test drive event held on August 28 in Seoul’s Gangnam district, Jeep executives expressed high hopes for the Avenger’s performance in the Korean market.
Jeep Avenger (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Bang Sil, president of Stellantis Korea, introduced the vehicle as “the legitimate heir to Jeep’s authentic off-roader DNA” and “the cutest ‘baby beast’ in the Jeep lineup.”
Nirmal Nair, Stellantis Group’s sales and marketing director for India and Asia Pacific, emphasized the strategic importance of the Korean market, stating, “We decided to launch first in Korea within the India-Asia Pacific region because it’s an extremely important market. We see the Avenger as a crucial milestone in expanding Jeep’s market share in Korea.”
The Avenger’s design departs from Jeep’s traditionally rugged aesthetic, featuring a more rounded and refined appearance.
It retains Jeep’s signature seven-slot grille, now electrified, complemented by sleek daytime running lights and a black bumper that complements its sporty look.
At 4,080mm in length, it’s 160mm shorter than Jeep’s popular compact SUV, the Renegade.
Inside, the Avenger boasts a clean, urban-oriented design with a 10-inch touchscreen and conveniently arranged physical buttons for climate control and gear selection.
Jeep Avenger (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The interior offers ample storage space totaling 34 liters, equivalent to a carry-on luggage size.
During the test drive, which covered about 36 kilometers to a café in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, the Avenger demonstrated impressive performance.
Its electric motor, producing 115kW (156 horsepower) and 270Nm of torque, provided spirited acceleration, especially in Sport mode.
The SUV also tackled a 1-kilometer off-road course, showcasing its Mud mode capabilities and benefiting from its 200mm ground clearance and 615mm seat height for enhanced visibility.
The Avenger is equipped with a 54kWh lithium-ion NCM battery from CATL, offering a certified range of 292km under Korean standards.
Jeep officials noted that the European WLTP standard rates the Avenger at 400km for combined driving and 550km for city driving, suggesting potentially longer real-world range than the Korean certification indicates.
Safety features include a battery shield for off-road protection and a standard Hill Descent Control system. The test drive yielded an efficiency of 5.0km per kWh, matching the official combined rating.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
