Jeep, being a dedicated SUV brand, tries to cover every size slot. And with the Renegade the smallest subcompact segment is filled. Its most striking feature is its height relative to its length. Recently, it received some styling upgrades. Both the front and rear bumpers were redesigned, the classic Jeep grille with small lengthy rectangular openings was expanded, and the headlights received LED versions from another Jeep model. Even with its relatively short configuration, its rectangular shape and overall look screams Jeep and separates it from many other SUVs.
On the drivetrain front, there are multiple choices. Rather interesting are the two powerplants. Standard is a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder developing 180 horsepower. Optional but smaller with actually 3 less horsepower of 177 is a turbocharged 1.3 liter engine. But its advantage is more torque (or pulling power if you will). Transmission choices are simpler with it featuring only a 9-speed automatic. Both front wheel drive and all wheel drive are available. Pricing starts at about $23,000.
As with other Jeeps and other new vehicles, passive entry lets you in with the key in your possession, and with a punch of a button the engine is started. Two seven inch video screens are found on the dash and in the dashpod. And like other Jeep products the dash video is clear, colorful, and easy to use by touch and with additional dials and buttons below it. The screen also can be tied into your smart phone if you want. The dashpod unit has multiple screens available with the pressing of buttons on the steering wheel, and a lot data (distances, fuel mileage both instant and average, etc.) can be accessed. Behind the steering wheel are buttons to control the sound and the channel choices. A dual automatic climate system is also provided. With our 4-wheel drive test model, a dial can be used to direct the power to the various wheels for sand, mud, or snow conditions.
With the smallest engine in our test model, power was decent, but not super, with a zero to 60 time of 9 seconds. And speaking of 9, the automatic transmission shifted its 9 gears flawlessly and with very little detection of the shifts. And as one would hope, the gears can be changed manually by moving the lever to the plus-minus slot. Unlike many, the auto stop and start system is one of the better ones because of its very smooth transition from engine on and off at stops. At modest speeds the engine is relatively quiet, but at high power thrusts it can be heard. Even with its height and the 18-inch tires taking corners and general handling is just okay.
The second row of seats can handle 3, but legroom is not huge, and depending on the size of the rear occupants, the front seats may have to be moved forward. The rear seat backs are split 40/20/40 and are easily dropped for storage of the big and bulky items. Interestingly, when the center small 20 segment is dropped, there are cupholders built into the back of the dropped portion, and items then can easily be placed in the back area. And speaking of the back area, it is reasonably large given the size of the vehicle. Two additional storage pockets are found on the sides.
In a number of ways, the Renegade is unique but with a clear Jeep look. And on the road its overall height makes the urban driving experience more entertaining.
TECH SPECS
2019 JEEP RENEGADE
MODEL: Subcompact 5 passenger SUV
PRICE: Base $22,275, as tested $30,380
POWERTRAIN: (Test model) Turbocharged 1.3 liter, 4 cylinder, 177 horsepower, 9-speed automatic, AWD
FUEL ECONOMY: (Test model) average 26 mpg, city 23 mpg, highway 29 mpg
PERFORMANCE: (Test model) 0-60: 9 seconds
HIGH BEAMS: Short off roader nice to have in the city. Tall view over traffic. Jeep styling attractive.
LOW BEAM: Acceleration not super quick.
CAR COURTESY OF CUTTER CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, RAM