New Jeep Avenger 4xe hybrid is mountain a big small SUV challenge in The North Face trim

Jeep and outdoor clothing brand The North Face have come together to create the new Avenger 4xe ‘The North Face Edition’ - a limited-run version of the American firm’s mild-hybrid crossover, which also now receives a new 4xe hybrid system. 

4,806 of these Jeep Avenger The North Face Editions will be built - a number chosen because it marks the height of Mont Blanc (in metres). Orders are open now for the 4xe, which also comes in ‘Upland’ trim. The North Face Edition is priced at £34,999, while the Upland costs from £30,999. 

The Avenger 4xe, unlike the 4xe plug-in hybrid Compass and Renegade, doesn't feature plug-in charging capability. Instead the hybrid system has a small lithium-ion battery pack, topped up via regenerative braking, and occasionally from the petrol engine itself. 

That petrol engine is a typical 1.2-litre turbocharged, three-cylinder unit with two electric motors, one mounted on each axle. Both of these motors assist the engine, which predominantly drives the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

Power is rated at 134bhp from the petrol engine, with each of the motors capable of producing 28bhp and, thanks to some planetary gear wizardry on the rear axle, up to 1,900Nm of torque. This eye-opening figure is not equivalent to torque as usually rated from the crank of a normal combustion engine, but should still give the car plenty of shove at low speeds. Performance is marginally improved over the front-wheel drive version, taking 9.5 seconds to reach 62mph, and hitting 120mph flat out. 

There’s no physical connection between the ICE engine at the front and the rear axle, but the system is fully variable using the e-motors depending on the speed and selected driver modes. Below 19mph, electric drive is locked to a 50:50 split front to rear, turning into an active system between 19mph and 56mph that adjusts the split between zero and 50 per cent. Above 56mph the rear motor switches off and decouples entirely to improve efficiency at motorway speeds.

The Avenger retains the “legendary all-wheel-drive capability of Jeep” according to the brand. To help back this up, ‘Selec-Terrain’ driver modes can augment the powertrain to best suit the conditions. These range between Sand & Mud and Snow for off-road situations, as well as an Auto setting that prioritises efficiency. Finally, there’s a Sport mode that combines the various powertrain elements into their most potent combination. This also unlocks an E-Boost function that will set the e-motors to maximum power for short periods – useful for overtaking or when pulling away at busy junctions.

Compared with other versions of the Avenger, the 4xe also gets a multi-link rear axle set-up that allows for extra suspension articulation, a 10mm increase in ride height, and “smoother rides on rough roads” according to Jeep. The 4xe can also wade through 400mm of water and there are standard-fit mud tyres with all terrain tyres, an optional extra.

The Avenger 4xe Upland comes with a new design of fog lights, roof rails and a rear tow hook. The front and rear bumpers are new with anti-scratch protection, plus there’s a new front lower grille, optional bonnet stickers, 17-inch black alloy wheels, LED headlights, silver skid plates and green accents. Inside, there are seats upholstered in washable fabric, black headlining, a silver dashboard with twin 10.25-inch displays. Adaptive cruise control, hill descent control, a 180-degree rear camera, automatic high beam and keyless go are included, too.

As for The North Face Edition, this trim comes with ‘Summit Gold’ detailing throughout the exterior, plus The North Face logo on the bonnet. There are topographic lines across the dash, with a silhouette of Mont Blanc and a production number out of 4,806 denotes the car’s limited-run availability. The floor mats are also exclusive to The North Face Edition and there’s further Summit Gold to be found on the seats. Sat-nav, a heated windscreen, heated front seats and a hands-free bootlid are fitted as standard.