The Avenger obtained a total of 328 points and 21 “best votes” from the European Car of the Year jurors. It beat out the ID. Buzz in second with 241 points and 16 “best votes,” and the Nissan Ariya in third with 211 points. Rounding out the Top Seven are the Kia Niro in fourth with 200 points, the Renault Austral with 163 points in fifth, the Peugeot 408 in sixth with 149 points, and the Toyota bZ4X/Subaru Solterra in seventh with 133 points.

“Right-sized” for the European market, the Avenger is smaller than even the Renegade. Yet, it offers best-in-class ground clearance (200 mm) as well as impressive approach (20 degrees), breakover (20 degrees), and departure (32 degrees) angles.

Being an urban runabout, Jeep has figured to equip the Avenger with design details that reduce the costs associated with low-speed impacts. With 70 percent of road crashes happening at those speeds, this EV is equipped with skid plates, 360-degree cladding, and encased protected headlamps. Overall, this should reduce potential accident costs by around 1,000 Euros (P 54,000).

Under the hood resides a new electric propulsion system. The 400-volt system is good for 156 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque. Power is stored via a 54-kWh battery delivering up to 550 kilometers of range. The ultra-compact battery, stored under the front and rear seats has been tested for over two million kilometers and is protected by the Avenger’s high ground clearance and underbody skid plates.

The European Car of the Year has a 57-member jury from 22 European countries. This year marked the 60th edition of the prestigious annual awards.