Buyer's Guide
Pros
- Fun off-road capabilities
- Easy, responsive infotainment system
- Clever interior packaging
Cons
- Unrefined drivetrain
- Poor acceleration and fuel economy
- Plasticky interior materials
A Jeep from Italy? That's what the Renegade is. Introduced for the 2015 model year, the Renegade is a product of the Chrysler group's merger with Fiat and rides on a platform shared with the 500X. Unlike Jeep's iconic SUVs, the Renegade is FWD-based and meant more for city streets than rocky trails. However, with the right equipment selected the Renegade becomes one of the subcompact crossover segment's most capable off-roaders.
What's New
- 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen now standard
- The Limited trim gets 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, a cargo area cover, and security alarm
- 7.0-inch gauge cluster display standard on the Latitude trim and higher
- The Trailhawk trim comes with heated front seats and steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, windshield wiper de-icer, and more
- Islander and 80th Anniversary special editions (based on the Latitude trim) join the lineup
What We Think
Among subcompact crossovers, it's hard to beat the Jeep Renegade's off-road ability. When equipped with AWD, it rarely falters in loose conditions, which is impressive considering its FWD underpinnings. The Trailhawk model has surprising trail-ready capability.
However, in its pursuit of proving it's a real Jeep, the Renegade gives up civility. Its standard four-cylinder engine isn't quick, and the available turbocharged engine doesn't do much to improve acceleration. Neither engine returns competitive fuel economy. Its automatic transmission frequently seems confused. Add in twitchy, roll-prone handling, and driving the Renegade can be a chore.
At least the Renegade's interior is versatile for its size. Jeep's infotainment system is user-friendly, and the standard touchscreen becomes larger for 2021. Plus, the tough-cute exterior styling has appeal. If you need a subcompact crossover and want to go off-roading, the Renegade is worth a look. But for a more road-oriented mini-SUV, there are better choices.
Performance and Fuel Economy
All Renegade models use a nine-speed automatic transmission to send the engine's output to the front wheels as standard, or an optional AWD system.
A 2.4-liter I-4 producing 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque is standard equipment. In MotorTrend testing, an AWD Renegade with this engine posted a 0-60 mph time of 9.0 seconds. In 2020, the EPA rated its fuel economy at 22/30 mpg city/highway with FWD, and 21/29 with AWD.
An available 1.3-liter turbo-four engine makes 177 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, it but doesn't do much for the Renegade's acceleration. MotorTrend measured a Trailhawk model's 0-60 mph time at 8.9 seconds, and an AWD Limited model at 9.3 seconds. Fuel economy is also comparable, rated in 2020 by the EPA at 24/32 mpg with FWD, 23/29 mpg with AWD, and 22/27 mpg on the Trailhawk model.
Safety
From the NHTSA, the Renegade gets a four-star overall safety rating (out of a possible five stars). The Renegade earned 2019 Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS when illuminated by available LED headlights with automatic high beams, and equipped with automatic emergency braking, which is now standard on most trims.
Active safety and driver-assist features are added to the Renegade for 2021. These include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and—except on the Trailhawk model—forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Cargo space behind the Renegade's second-row seats is 18.5 cubic feet. With the 60/40 split-folding second row lowered, capacity expands to 50.8 cubic feet. Some models are equipped with 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seats and a flat-folding front passenger seat, allowing for more versatile storage options.
Front-row headroom measures 41.1 inches in the Renegade, which compares to 39.5 inches in the Honda HR-V. Second-row headroom is 40.5 inches in the Renegade, a good amount more than the HR-V's 38.3 inches. Front-row legroom is 41.2 inches in the Jeep, exactly the same as in the Honda. However, 35.1 inches of second-row legroom in the Renegade is far less capacious than the HR-V's 39.3 inches.
Technology
For 2021, the Renegade is equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen as standard, up from last year's 5.0-inch unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with an auxiliary and USB port in the front row; a second USB port is available. An 8.4-inch touchscreen with available built-in navigation is optional or included depending on trim. Base trim levels have a black-and-white 3.5-inch gauge cluster information display, while higher-end models get a 7.0-inch color screen. A six-speaker audio system is standard and a premium Kenwood nine-speaker setup is available.
Trim Levels
2021 Jeep Renegade Sport
- 16-inch black-painted steel wheels
- 0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Cloth seating upholstery
- Halogen headlights
2021 Jeep Renegade Latitude
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- Premium cloth seating upholstery
- 0-inch gauge cluster display
2021 Jeep Renegade Limited
- 4-inch infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation
- Keyless entry with remote engine start
- Leather seating upholstery
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
2021 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
- AWD with off-road driving modes
- Low range gear setting
- 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
- Underbody skid plates, red-painted tow hooks, high-clearance bumpers
Key Competitors:
| Package | Invoice | Retail |
|---|
| Amount | Description | Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | FCA announces a Bonus Cash offer on select models for eligible Military personnel. | 01-03-2022 |
| $750 | FCA announces a Bonus Cash offer on select models when financing or leasing through Chrysler Capital. | 02-01-2021 |
| $110 | FCA announces a Lease Bonus Cash offer on select models. [Regional Incentive. See dealer for availability.] | 02-01-2021 |
| $500 | FCA announces a Bonus Cash offer on select models to returning lessees. [Regional Incentive. See dealer for availability.] | 02-01-2021 |
| $500 | FCA announces a Bonus Cash offer on select models. [Regional Incentive. See dealer for availability.] | 02-01-2021 |