First Impressions

If you’re thrown by the cutesy look of the Renegade, and Jeep’s foray into Fiat-based small SUVs, don’t rush to judgment quite yet. Take it for a Quick Spin, and you’ll find there’s a lot more to this global Jeepster.

Seven inches shorter than the Jeep Patriot, the Renegade offers a capable 4x4 system with both powertrains: a 160 horsepower 1.4 liter turbo 4 and six speed manual combo; or a 180 horsepower 2.4 liter I4 and nine speed automatic combo. It can even tow 2,000 lbs.

Jeep’s full-time Active Drive 4X4 system defaults to front wheel drive until traction is needed at the rear. There’s even a TrailHawk model, which has higher ground clearance, more wheel articulation, and a low-speed crawl mode. Even without the TrailHawk upgrade, Selec-Terrain is standard on 4x4s, and we can say from experience: there’s plenty here to tackle whatever the Renegade buyer might face.

Flip the coin, though, and the Renegade has serious mainstream appeal, too. As a 4X2 it rates over 30 MPG Highway. The young looking, very modern interior has the great reacting UConnect system. There’s lots of space to store things, and true open-air capability with removable sunroof panels. 

A starting price under $20,000 certainly helps, too. The 2015 Jeep Renegade arrives in early spring.