The Jeep Renegade is the smallest SUV in the Jeep lineup, but it certainly doesn’t fall short when it comes to delivering the rugged, adventurous spirit that the Jeep brand is known for. With its compact size, customizable features, and impressive off-road capabilities, the Renegade is the perfect vehicle for those looking to explore the great outdoors while navigating through tight city streets. Whether you’re commuting in the city, tackling off-road trails, or taking a road trip, the Jeep Renegade brings together versatility and fun in a small package.
In this article, we will explore the Jeep Renegade in detail, including its design, performance, off-road capabilities, and what makes it a standout choice in the subcompact SUV category.
1. Bold and Compact Design
The Jeep Renegade offers a design that is unmistakably Jeep. With a combination of rugged off-road styling and urban flair, the Renegade maintains the brand’s signature look in a more compact and versatile form. The Renegade is perfect for city dwellers who want a small SUV that stands out while maintaining a functional, efficient footprint.
- Iconic Grille and Headlights: The Jeep Renegade features the classic seven-slot grille and round headlights that are instantly recognizable as part of the Jeep family. These design elements give the Renegade its iconic rugged appearance while maintaining a sense of style.
- Compact Dimensions: With a shorter overall length and a narrower profile, the Renegade is perfect for maneuvering through crowded city streets or fitting into tight parking spaces. Despite its compact size, the Renegade offers impressive interior space and cargo room.
- Bold Color Options: The Renegade is available in a variety of bold and vibrant colors, including Yellow, Red, Blue, and Orange, allowing drivers to express their personality while driving an adventurous and stylish vehicle.
- Customize Your Ride: One of the highlights of the Renegade is the wide range of customization options available. From roof rails and all-terrain tires to distinctive decals and accessories, the Renegade can be personalized to suit your style and off-road needs.
2. Engine Options and Performance
Despite its compact size, the Jeep Renegade offers a range of engine options that balance performance with fuel efficiency. Whether you need a boost for city driving or extra power for off-road adventures, the Renegade delivers.
- 1.3L Turbocharged Inline-4 Engine: The 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine is available on most trims and produces 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. This engine strikes a good balance between power and fuel efficiency, offering a smooth and responsive driving experience, whether on highways or city streets.
- 2.4L Tigershark® Inline-4 Engine: For those who prefer a naturally aspirated engine, the 2.4-liter Tigershark® engine provides 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. This engine is available on lower trims and offers reliable power for daily driving and off-roading.
- Transmission Options: The Jeep Renegade comes equipped with either a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission, depending on the engine choice and trim. The 9-speed automatic transmission provides smooth shifts and contributes to better fuel efficiency, especially on longer trips.
- Fuel Economy: The Jeep Renegade offers impressive fuel efficiency for a compact SUV, with an estimated 24 MPG city / 32 MPG highway for models equipped with the 1.3L turbocharged engine. The 2.4L Tigershark® engine provides an estimated 22 MPG city / 30 MPG highway, making the Renegade a cost-effective option for daily commuters and road trip enthusiasts.
3. Off-Road Capabilities
True to the Jeep brand, the Renegade doesn’t compromise when it comes to off-road capabilities. With available 4WD systems and the Trailhawk® trim, the Renegade can tackle off-road trails, muddy roads, and steep inclines with ease.
- Trailhawk® Trim: The Trailhawk® trim is the off-road-oriented version of the Jeep Renegade. It comes equipped with the Jeep Active Drive Low 4WD system, which features a low-range transfer case for tackling more extreme off-road conditions. The Trailhawk® also offers higher ground clearance, skid plates, and specialized tires designed for off-road performance.
- Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System: The Selec-Terrain® system allows drivers to choose from different driving modes, including Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock, to optimize traction for specific terrain conditions. The Trailhawk® trim also adds a Rock mode for enhanced off-road performance.
- Approach, Breakover, and Departure Angles: The Trailhawk® offers impressive off-road angles, including a 30.5-degree approach angle, 24.4-degree breakover angle, and 33.5-degree departure angle, ensuring that it can navigate challenging obstacles with ease.
- Water Fording: With the Trailhawk®’s elevated ride height and 4WD capabilities, the Renegade is capable of fording through water up to 19 inches deep, allowing it to handle wet and muddy conditions without trouble.
4. Technology and Interior Features
The Jeep Renegade offers a modern, tech-friendly interior designed to keep you connected while ensuring a comfortable ride on any journey. Whether you’re on a daily commute or an off-road adventure, the Renegade has a host of features to enhance the driving experience.
- Uconnect® Infotainment System: The Jeep Renegade comes standard with the Uconnect® 4 system featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and SiriusXM® radio. Higher trims offer an 8.4-inch touchscreen with additional features like navigation, upgraded sound systems, and enhanced connectivity options.
- Voice Command and Bluetooth®: The Renegade allows you to make hands-free calls and access various functions through voice commands, helping you stay focused on the road. Bluetooth® connectivity ensures that you can easily pair your phone to the vehicle for seamless interaction.
- Premium Audio: For an enhanced audio experience, the Renegade offers an available BeatsAudio® Premium Sound System, providing deep bass and clear sound, making your music sound great whether you’re on or off the road.
- Comfort Features: The Renegade offers a range of comfort features, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. These features ensure that you stay comfortable during cold winter mornings or hot summer afternoons.
- Interior Space: Despite its compact size, the Renegade offers a surprisingly spacious cabin. The rear seats can accommodate passengers comfortably, and the Renegade also offers a cargo area with 18.5 cubic feet of space. The rear seats can be folded down to expand the cargo area to 50.8 cubic feet, providing ample storage for gear, luggage, or camping equipment.
5. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Safety is a top priority in the Jeep Renegade, which offers a wide range of standard and available driver-assistance features to help keep you safe on the road.
- Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking: This system detects potential collisions with vehicles ahead and can apply the brakes if necessary to help avoid or mitigate an impact.
- Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection: The Renegade offers these systems to alert you to vehicles in your blind spot or approaching from the rear when backing out of parking spaces.
- LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist: If the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling, this system will warn you and provide steering assistance to guide the Renegade back into the correct lane.
- ParkSense® Rear Park Assist: This system uses sensors to detect objects behind the vehicle and provides visual and audible alerts when you’re backing up.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Available on higher trims, Adaptive Cruise Control maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead while adjusting the Renegade’s speed to match traffic flow.
6. Jeep Renegade vs. Competitors
The Jeep Renegade competes in the subcompact SUV category against models like the Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, and Ford EcoSport. Here’s how it compares:
- Jeep Renegade vs. Honda HR-V: While the Honda HR-V offers a spacious interior and a smooth ride, the Jeep Renegade stands out for its off-road capabilities, customizable features, and rugged Trailhawk® trim.
- Jeep Renegade vs. Toyota C-HR: The Toyota C-HR is known for its sharp styling and compact size, but the Renegade offers superior off-road performance, higher ground clearance, and a more rugged design.
- Jeep Renegade vs. Ford EcoSport: The Ford EcoSport is another compact SUV, but the Renegade offers better off-road abilities, especially with the available Trailhawk® trim, and more customizable features.
7. Conclusion: The Jeep Renegade – Compact but Mighty
The Jeep Renegade may be the smallest SUV in the Jeep lineup, but it packs a punch when it comes to performance, off-road capabilities, and versatility. With its distinctive design, range of engine options, advanced safety features, and off-road prowess, the Renegade is a great choice for those who want a small, fun, and adventurous vehicle without sacrificing capability.
Whether you’re looking for an efficient city commuter or a small SUV that can tackle off-road trails, the Jeep Renegade delivers in spades. With its customization options and impressive features, the Renegade is perfect for drivers who want to make a statement while enjoying the rugged, adventurous spirit that only Jeep can provide.