{"id":247134,"date":"2023-12-02T11:49:14","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T11:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=247134"},"modified":"2023-12-02T11:49:14","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T11:49:14","slug":"jeep-avenger-vs-mazda-mx-30-left-field-electric-suvs-face-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/jeep-avenger-vs-mazda-mx-30-left-field-electric-suvs-face-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Jeep Avenger vs Mazda MX-30: left-field electric SUVs face off"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Avenger electric SUV is on a mission to grow Jeep sales \u2013 how does it fare against the Mazda MX-30?<\/h2>\n


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Times are changing. Until recently, Jeep traded on the ability of its cars to reach parts others couldn\u2019t, but under the umbrella of the Stellantis group, it\u2019s on a mission to break new ground and boost the brand\u2019s market share.<\/p>\n

One of the first cars to arrive as part of Jeep\u2019s range expansion is the Avenger small electric SUV. Although it\u2019s new, it uses plenty of traditional Jeep styling cues, but the latest electric running gear means it has a battery range that could make it an appealing choice in the class.<\/p>\n

One car that isn\u2019t quite so competitive for range, but certainly matches the newcomer for style, is the Mazda MX-30. The Japanese model offers something different in the small SUV class, and while the rotary-equipped range extender is making plenty of headlines at the moment, it\u2019s the full-electric model we\u2019re testing here.<\/p>\n

Can the Avenger deliver more than funky looks? And does the MX-30 offer enough style and versatility to cancel out the handicap of its limited range?<\/p>\n

Jeep Avenger<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Model:<\/td>\nJeep Avenger Summit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price:<\/td>\n\u00a339,600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Powertrain:<\/td>\n1x e-motor, 154bhp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
0-62mph:<\/td>\n9.6 seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test efficiency:<\/td>\n4.3 miles\/kWh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test range:<\/td>\n219 miles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Annual VED:<\/td>\n\u00a30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

While the Avenger is the smallest car in Jeep\u2019s line-up, its electric powertrain contributes to a starting price of \u00a335,700. This top-spec Summit costs \u00a339,600, although options including leather trim and metallic paint with a contrasting roof colour bump our test car\u2019s price up to \u00a342,425.<\/p>\n

Tech highlights\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Jeep is a newcomer to the small electric SUV class, but the tech under the bodywork is familiar. That\u2019s because the Avenger uses the same STLA small platform as cars such as the Peugeot E-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric, and it benefits from the second-generation EV technology that they have.<\/p>\n

That means a 54kWh battery with an 11kW charging system is fitted, while the electric motor sends 154bhp and 260Nm of torque to the front wheels. Where the Avenger diverges from its relatives within the Stellantis group is in terms of size. At 4,084mm, the Avenger is 311mm shorter than the Mazda here, and is only slightly longer than a VW Polo supermini, making the Avenger one of the smallest cars in the class.<\/p>\n

What the Jeep lacks in size it makes up for with style, because it uses the company\u2019s familiar design cues, such as the seven-bar grille, squared-off wheelarches and body-coloured C-pillars. There are lots of \u2018Easter eggs\u2019 in the design, too, such as the mountain peak that surrounds the rear wiper, a compass set into the lower front grille, and stylised Jeep logos dotted around outside. In some ways these neat touches remind us of a MINI.<\/p>\n

Safety:<\/strong> The Avenger hasn\u2019t been tested by Euro NCAP yet, but uses the same tech as other STLA-based models. However you will have to choose top-spec Summit trim for advanced kit such as adaptive cruise with lane centring, a rear camera and auto main beam.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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On the road<\/h2>\n

Jeep\u2019s ability to build capable off-roaders is a given, but the Avenger feels accomplished on tarmac.<\/p>\n

Around town: <\/strong>With its compact dimensions and relatively high driving position, the Avenger is well suited to urban driving. Light controls make it a doddle to manoeuvre, while the electric motor provides plenty of low-speed response.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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There are three drive modes \u2013 Eco, Normal and Sport \u2013 and in the default Normal setting, power is limited to 110bhp, although this is more than enough for town use and preserves battery range. Switch to the Eco mode and power drops to 80bhp, but the lack of power is counter-productive because you work the motor harder to make progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As with other Stellantis EVs, the Avenger has a \u2018B\u2019 mode which boosts the brake regeneration when lifting off, so you only really need to touch the brakes when coming to a complete halt.<\/p>\n

A & B-roads:<\/strong> Most of the time, Normal mode is fine on faster roads, too, while switching to the Sport setting sees throttle response become snappier, which takes a bit of getting used to. If you\u2019re in Normal mode and need the extra power for an overtake, there\u2019s an auto-style \u2018kickdown\u2019 in the pedal travel that unlocks maximum power.<\/p>\n

The Avenger\u2019s steering is quick, while the ride is well resolved, with limited body roll in corners and good grip. Bumps are dealt with well, while the Avenger\u2019s relatively low kerbweight means it feels nimble when compared with other EVs.<\/p>\n

Motorway:<\/strong> This agility doesn\u2019t come at the expense of refinement at higher speeds, where the Avenger feels stable and comfortable. There\u2019s not much wind noise, while even the 18-inch wheels don\u2019t have much of an impact on cabin noise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Ownership<\/h2>\n

From behind the wheel, the Avenger feels like a small car, but not one that feels cramped. There\u2019s a good range of adjustment for the driver\u2019s seat, while the view forward is good. The flat bonnet will cause reflections in some light situations, although Jeep offers a matt-black bonnet graphic as an accessory if it bothers you.<\/p>\n

The rear view isn\u2019t quite so good, with a narrow back window and thick C-pillars limiting visibility. However, all Avengers come with rear parking sensors, while a reversing camera is standard on Summit cars, and an option on other trims.<\/p>\n

Cabin quality is a mixed bag. Other Jeeps use hard plastics to make a point about their ruggedness, but this doesn\u2019t really work in the Avenger and it feels lower rent next to the Mazda here. However, the Jeep\u2019s coloured dashboard trim gives the interior a lift, the screens look smart, and the multifunction steering wheel is good to hold and easy to use.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, the various little design details dotted around the car help to counter the use of familiar Stellantis switchgear in other places.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Efficiency: <\/strong>Where the Avenger steals a march over its rival here \u2013 and a lot of other small SUVs \u2013 is with its efficiency. The Jeep returned 4.3 miles per kWh during our time with it, and that included a couple of longer motorway runs; keep your speed down, and we\u2019d expect to see even better figures. Either way you should be able to cover 200 miles on a full charge without issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Faster on-board charging tech means that while the Avenger has a bigger battery than the Mazda, it takes a similar time to top up, with a 20-80 per cent DC charge at 100kW taking 24 minutes.<\/p>\n

We tested these two cars in late summer when the temperatures were in the high teens and low 20s, but both cars feature heat pumps as standard, which will limit the reduction in range when temperatures drop.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Practicality<\/h2>\n

The Avenger is small and compromised for passengers, but boot space is fine.<\/p>\n

Rear Space:<\/strong> The main factor limiting the Avenger\u2019s appeal is the small rear seats. Headroom isn\u2019t an issue, but legroom will be tight against the seatbacks for taller passengers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The platform\u2019s combustion-engined roots mean there\u2019s a transmission tunnel that eats into foot room, while a ridge in the floor beneath the front seats limits space, too. The middle rear seat is quite narrow, so having three passengers on board will be tight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Boot:<\/strong> The Avenger\u2019s short length means there\u2019s not much of a rear overhang, but boot space is reasonable. At 341 litres, it\u2019s a match for most superminis, and is bigger than the MX-30\u2019s by nine litres. The space is square and flat, while the back seats are simple to fold.<\/p>\n

What to buy?<\/h2>\n

Which version we\u2019d choose<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n