Jeep Renegade Review 2021
The Renegade may be the smallest car in the Jeep range, but this distinctive, rugged small SUV is packed with Jeep's iconic 4x4 DNA.
As one of the few cars in its class to offer genuine off-road ability, the Jeep Renegade's rugged looks and punchy engines make it stand out from rivals.
Alternatives to the Jeep Renegade include the Volkswagen T-Roc, Seat Arona, MINI Countryman and Suzuki Vitara.
Our Jeep Renegade review covers:
- Distinctive, rugged style with Jeep’s traditional seven-bar grille
- Unique interior style with 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard
- 351-litre boot with 60/40 split rear seats
- Choice of two petrol engines and a plug-in hybrid with two power outputs
- Wide range of trim levels, including Longitude, Night Eagle, Limited, 80th Anniversary and TrailHawk
Refreshed in 2018, the square-edged Jeep Renegade certainly stands out from the crowd. Taking chunky styling cues from the iconic Wrangler and Grand Cherokee SUV, the latest generation Renegade looks purposeful out on the road thanks to its traditional seven-bar grille, squared-off wheel arches and bulbous taillights.
Inside, the Renegade's upright, boxy body offers a decent amount of space for up to five people. Head, shoulder, and legroom are plentiful at the front, but limited rear legroom at the rear means the MINI Countryman is far roomier and taller adults might struggle for comfort.
At the rear, the Renegade's 351-litre boot rivals the Nissan Juke and the MINI Countryman for space, expanding to 1,297 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down. There's hardly any boot lip to lift heavy items, provided you add the optional adjustable floor. A more flexible 40/20/40 seat arrangement is also available with the Function Pack II on Limited or Trailhawk models.
The Renegade's unique styling continues inside with chunky dials, a massive passenger grab handle above the glovebox and coloured highlights around the air vents, gear lever and speakers. All versions have an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7.0-inch TFT screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Yet, while the styling is undoubtedly fun, some of the materials feel a little, and the interior quality is still several rungs below the more mature MINI Countryman and popular Nissan Qashqai.
There are four trim levels to choose from, including Longitude, Night Eagle, Limited and an 80th Anniversary special edition model. The 4xe plug-in hybrid model has a slightly different trim line-up with Limited, Longitude and TrailHawk specifications.
All cars feature dual-zone air-conditioning, DAB Radio, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.
Under the bonnet, the Renegade comes with a choice of two petrol engines and a plug-in hybrid model with two power outputs.
Of the petrol options, the 118bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit paired with a six-speed manual transmission is the pick of the bunch, combining punchy performance with respectable fuel economy. A larger 148bhp 1.3-litre, four-cylinder unit, mated to a six-speed DDCT automatic transmission, is also available. Both petrol versions are front-wheel drive only.
The plug-in hybrid option combines a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an 11.4kWh battery and 59bhp electric motor to offer 187bhp on Longitude and Limited models and 237bhp on the more off-road focused Trailhawk. All-wheel drive is standard on all plug-in hybrid models.
Out on the road, the Renegade doesn't quite match the MINI Countryman, Mazda CX-3 or Nissan Juke for driving fun, but grip is still excellent, and the car doesn't lean too much in corners.
Take it off-road, however, and the Renegade drips with character. It turns into one of the most capable 4X4s in its class thanks to its adaptive all-wheel drive, high ground clearance and good body control.
Prices for the new Jeep Renegade start from £29,075.00 OTR* or to lease from £321.31 per month.
All Jeep Renegade lease deals with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts include road tax, breakdown cover, the full manufacturer's warranty, and free delivery direct to your door, provided your address is situated on the mainland.
All vehicles also come directly from the franchised Jeep dealer network, meaning you take advantage of great lease prices, as well as the trust and reliability that comes from a main dealership.
* 'On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change. Always check with your nearest retailer.
