The car-derived small van segment is less than 2 per cent of the overall light commercials market in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne, but there is still a buyer cohort to be served. In fleets, they can be supplementary vehicles for use where a larger 'proper' van would be inappropriate or inefficient. For small individual trades contractors, or retail with a light local delivery component to their business, or small service and repair businesses, they can be very useful. It's no wonder that Citroen, VW, Toyota, Peugeot, Ford and Opel still offer, and sell, van versions of their C4, Corolla, Golf, 308, Focus and Astra.
Now a new kid is prowling that block. And it's electric.
The Jeep Avenger CDV doesn't look like a van because the conversion retains the glass in the rear doors, simply blanking it out from the inside. The giveaway that it's a conversion, not a factory build, is the retention of the doors' interior trim and armrest, with the disconnected electric window switches. The back seats are gone, giving a floor at the same level as the lower part of the boot space. Since they left in that space's upper cover, it's a two-step cargo level. It's all very well done, with a neat finish in black flock material. A mesh protector is part of the deal, ensuring any cargo won't end up in the front in an emergency stop. As a piece of metalwork, that itself is a classy build.
The conversion is done on the original car's Altitude grade, so the Avenger CDV's overall specification is high. I was also glad they didn't try to gain more load space by sacrificing seat travel in the front, so long people like me have no issues finding a proper driving position.
Since the Avenger first arrived, I have liked the overall layout of instruments, screens, and real switchgear for all the essential on-the-run controls. The quality, look, and feel of the cloth-vinyl seat covering and trim are good. So I was very much at home taking the van version to the road. The push-button transmission selection takes a while to get used to, but by the second day, it's second nature.
Altitude also gives the van the 17-inch painted alloys and body coloured detail pieces, which keep the car's stylish look. The rear skid plate is cosmetic because this Jeep is an FWD and is unlikely to be driven in any serious off-piste terrain. An off-road version of the passenger car is available, but the van isn't going there.
The powertrain is a 156hp equivalent electric motor, which I have already driven in other cars. At 9 seconds to 100km/h, it's not going to strip the tyres, but it's plenty peppy for any use I'd need. The rated combined range is a little under 400 km, significantly more if you're doing the level of urban driving where this van will be in its best element. I know from experience that the Avenger is a very comfortable vehicle for longer trips.
This could be a nice option as a personal car for couples who want to take a pair of folding bicycles for weekend greenway trips. I'd quite like one for myself, as our children and grandchildren are all grown up in other countries and continents, and there's no need to be able to accommodate them. It's still expensive enough if you don't have the business advantage of being able to hive off the VAT component. For that small business owner, though, the Avenger CDV is well worth consideration if usage and carrying capacity suit your needs.
PRICE: €32,964 inc grant and VRT relief; or €26,800+VAT. WHAT I LIKED: It's just a smart, stylish package.
