The Jeep Avenger has officially been named the European Car of the Year 2023 at the Brussels International motor show after a judging panel comprising 57 leading motoring journalists from 23 countries cast their votes.
This is the first time that the American brand of the Stellantis group has won this prestigious trophy, which this year celebrates its 60th edition. The all-electric Kia EV6 won the Car of The Year award in 2022.
1st place – Jeep Avenger
Jeep’s first 100% electric model achieves a range of 400 km powered by a 54 kWh battery. The iconic Jeep look was retained for the exterior design and contributes to its muscular and sporty appearance. The 4 m long electric adventurer is powered by one 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor. In addition, 24 minutes are sufficient to charge the battery from 20 to 80% charge.
2nd place – VW ID.Buzz
The re-imagined Volkswagen ID.Buzz is all-electric, fully connected with a visionary and attractive design. The sustainable ID.Buzz is delivered net-carbon-neutral, drives around emission-free and has an interior made partly from recycled and 100% animal-friendly material. It is equipped with a powerful 150 kW (204 hp) / 310 Nm electric motor and a battery with a capacity of 77 kWh, bringing the WLTP range of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz to 402 or even 423 km.
3rd place – Nissan Ariya
The all-electric coupé crossover strikes the perfect balance between power and unparalleled handling with its e-4ORCE technology, twin electric motors and unique all-wheel drive system. The spacious, electric SUV achieves an impressive range of 533 km. The Nissan Ariya features innovative technology such as the ProPILOT driver assistance system and Heads-up Display. The Nissan ARIYA is equipped with a 63 kWh battery or an 87 kWh battery and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in only 5.7 seconds.
4th place – Kia Niro
With its futuristic lines, the Kia Niro brings a stylish, sleek and striking design to the streets. The car is equipped with technological features designed for all-round connectivity. With its 64.8 kWh battery, the Kia Niro has a driving range of 460 km. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds.
5th place – Renault Austral
The all-new Renault Austral is a mid-sized SUV with sporty design elements. The range consists of a number of electrified powertrains, culminating in a 1.2 three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine supported by a 50 kW (68 hp) electric motor in the E-Tech Hybrid engine. The infotainment of the Renault Austral runs on Android Automotive OS.
6th place – Peugeot 408
The Peugeot 408 saloon is characterised by its dynamic “fastback” stance. Its modern elegance gives it a powerful presence on the road. With its raised ground clearance yet limited height, it looks sporty, while its flowing lines underline its aerodynamic character. The car is equipped with a powerful 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor, achieving a driving range of more than 400 km.
Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X
The 4.690 m long Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X SUVs are almost identical, except for different bumpers and proprietary LED headlamps for the Solterra. Subaru is launching a front-wheel drive model and an all-wheel drive model. Both versions are equipped with a 71.4 kWh battery. The front-wheel drive model is equipped with a 204 hp electric motor and has a driving range of up to 530 km. Motive power on the four-wheel drive Solterra comes from dual 109 hp electric motors, somewhat increasing its performance with a system capacity of 218 hp, and however decreasing range to 460 km. The fastest version accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
