Crash dummy: Jeep Avenger EV only bags three-star Euro NCAP rating ahead of Australian launch

The new 2024 Jeep Avenger has been awarded a mediocre three stars for crash protection in the latest Euro NCAP safety test on the eve of its Australian debut later this month.

Following 2019’s disappointing three-star ANCAP rating for both the Wrangler off-roader and Gladiator ute Down Under, the latest very average three-star result from Euro NCAP testing comes despite the Jeep Avenger returning a respectable 79 per cent for adult protection and 70 per cent for child occupant protection.

Dragging down its performance and ensuring it missed out on the full five stars was a poor rating for side impact protection for 10-year-old rear occupants.

Euro NCAP was also less than impressed at the responsiveness of the standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and criticised the baby Jeep for not having a child presence detection system.

READ MORE: Rugged all-wheel-drive Jeep Avenger 4xe hybrid details released.
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Frustratingly for Jeep, the Avenger’s sister car – the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka – was awarded four-stars for protection, despite sharing the same platform and tech, although that car was tested back in 2021 under a less stringent test regime.

Kicking the Jeep for missing out on a better score, Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen said the Avenger’s performance displayed a “clear lack of ambition.”

“There is growing competition in the car industry, and [Jeep parent company] Stellantis has had to take several steps to secure the future of its brands. But safety should not be where a car manufacturer makes its savings.

“Euro NCAP will continue to highlight shortcomings in this area for the benefit of European car buyers.”

Fighting back against the criticism, Stellantis released a statement saying:

“We remain dedicated to offering customers clean, safe and affordable mobility with products that fulfil the most stringent regulations across the world.

“We strive to enhance the safety features of each new generation of vehicles. As part of our ongoing product improvement efforts, we consider the new third-party assessments and integrate proven technological solutions into our engineering process where relevant. 

“Stellantis believes there is no single way to measure vehicle safety; third-party assessments are one of many inputs used when designing the safety of our vehicles.”

As well as the battery-powered Jeep, Euro NCAP also released the crash test results of the latest Audi Q6 e-tron, XPeng G6 and the Euro-only Ford Explorer. All three received the coveted full five-stars for safety.

Back in Australia the new small Jeep Avenger SUV will be priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs for the base Longitude model, with the flagship Summit priced from $54,990.

Whichever you choose, the EV gets a single e-motor producing 115kW/260Nm and draws current from a 54kWh lithium-ion battery. WLTP range is 396km.

It’s not clear yet if Jeep Australia is also planning to import the more rugged all-wheel drive 4xe hybrid that is already available in some markets.