2017 Jeep Renegade Road Test and Review

2017 Jeep Renegade exterior front angle by Miles Branman ・ Photo by Miles Branman

It’s not easy to stand out in the automotive mass-market. Designing vehicles to fit within the consumptive majority’s budget is a restrained activity. Overly bold looks can fraction the buyer group and affect sales long before anyone gets a driver’s seat opinion. Underwhelming styling, by contrast, means you may not even get a spot in the information-loaded minds of car shoppers.

So what’s a vehicle designer to do? In the case of the 2016 Jeep Renegade subcompact crossover, the solution is to work within the boundaries of a familiar, boxy shape, while pouring creativity into subtle cues. The response has been excellent thus far. Buoyed by consumer fascination with small crossovers, the Renegade has distinguished itself from rivals with its quirky shape, off-road capability, and cabin quality.

Boxy Is Beautiful

Not since the first generation Scion xB and the Jeep Wrangler has any vehicle embraced the box-like design quite as wholeheartedly as the Renegade. With a bevy of over-stylized vehicles pouring from assembly lines, the Renegade’s traditional figure is a breath of fresh air. With softly rounded corners, large wheel arches, blacked-out steel wheels, round headlights, and X-marked taillights, the subcompact crossover finds a comfortable middle ground between cute and macho. Jeep designers didn’t use the traditional shape to avoid getting creative, either. The Renegade is full of “Easter egg” touches like Jeep’s slotted grille insignia on the taillights, headlight bulbs, speaker housings, rearview mirror backing, and inside the hatch. There’s also a topographical map imprinted in the center console storage bin. While fellow commuters probably won’t notice these elements, it shows Jeep’s dedication to making the Renegade unique. My tester’s Solar Yellow paint job may be loud, but the Renegade’s funky color palette (which includes red, blue, tan, and orange) sets the tone for this spunky Jeep.  

Photo by Miles Branman

Turbocharged Engine

There are two turbocharged engine options in the 2016 Renegade, depending on trim. The entry-level powerplant (slotted under the hood of my Sport 4x4) is a 1.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder making 160 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Despite the extra liter of displacement, the 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder alternative only makes an additional 24 hp but with 13 lb.-ft. less torque.

Unfortunately for the mix-and-match type, your choice of engine determines your transmission: The 1.4-liter is paired with a 6-speed manual and the 2.4-liter “Tigershark” engine is equipped exclusively with a 9-speed automatic. Living up to the true characteristics of a turbo, the entry engine doesn’t wake up until 2500 rpm and runs out of juice just beyond 5500 rpm, but the shove within that range is good.

Photo by Miles Branman

Transmission

Having experienced FCA’s 9-speed automatic in other models, I can affirmatively say it’s up to the task of finding the right gear, but for an extra level of control, the 6-speed manual is supreme. While some complain that Jeep doesn’t offer a standard transmission with its larger engine, the power differential makes little difference around town, and the loss of torque is a handicap off-road. An unfortunate side effect of the torque delay is that there’s a lot of shifting to be done between 0 and 40 mph—holding just one gear too high zaps all response from the throttle. Still, each throw of the smooth, communicative 6-speed gearbox is fun and precise; this may be a budget transmission, but it isn’t cheaply made.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Efficiency

It may not be the most aerodynamic car on the market (something that became quite clear while fighting brisk winds in Central California), but the Jeep Renegade is one efficient machine. The most frugal configuration, with a 1.4-liter turbo and a manual transmission, is rated by the EPA at 24 MPG city, 31 MPG highway, and 27 MPG combined. Those estimates are true for either FWD or 4WD drivetrains. The 2.4-liter engine is only slightly less impressive, at 22/31/25. Those wanting 4-wheel drive with the larger engine will sacrifice 2 MPG on the highway.

Photo by Miles Branman

Platform

The Renegade is the first US-market Jeep to be built abroad, sharing its underpinnings with the FIAT 500L that hails from Melfi, Italy. There isn’t much to redeem from the 500L eyesore, but its structure is both nimble and durable. By using a mix of aluminum and high-strength steel, the Renegade weighs just 3025 lb. (175 lb. less than its 500L sibling). The Renegade handles its high center of gravity with remarkable ease. Around corners, the subcompact doesn’t lean from side to side but rather restrains its movements far better than one might expect.

Photo by Miles Branman

4-Wheel Drive

With struts at all four corners, the Renegade offers 6.7 inches of wheel articulation in front and 8.1 inches in the rear. Front-wheel-drive models aren’t designed to do much off-road with 6.7 inches of ground clearance, but 4WD models use their 7.9 inches to perform some amazing feats. For those needing additional height, the Trailhawk’s 8.7 inches of clearance improves mobility. Though the Renegade’s 4WD system lacks the sophistication of its heavier duty siblings, it can still scamper up and down midlevel trails with determination. By default, the Sport 4x4 operates in front-wheel drive and only engages the rear wheels when slip is detected. However, when all four wheels need to participate, the transition only takes 500 milliseconds. The 4x4 models come with Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, while the Trailhawk adds a Rock mode for slow crawling.

Photo by Miles Branman

Cabin

The Renegade’s interior is nearly as simple and fluid as its exterior. Though range-topping trims can be equipped with leather seats and other niceties, even the base models are upscale for the class. The Renegade’s cabin is affordably styled, but it’s certainly not cut-rate. My Sport tester features comfortable cloth seats, textured plastic panels, and chunky housings for the speakers, air vents, and driver gauges.

Due to its boxy proportions, the Renegade’s cockpit feels immense. Passengers well over 6-feet tall should fit just fine in the front seats while 6-foot riders will be comfortable on the rear bench. Legroom is equally good for all passengers, though that middle seat in the rear is a tight squeeze. Optional “My Sky” removable roof panels go a step further to create a sense of space inside.

As convenience features go, the Renegade comes standard with an AM/FM radio, USB port, Aux input, 4 speakers, power front windows, a 12V rear outlet, 3.5-inch driver TFT display, and remote keyless entry. Upgrading to the 5.0-inch UConnect system with a backup camera, 6 speakers, and Bluetooth is well worth the $695. Among other necessities, the Power and Air Group package nets a heated mirror, air conditioning, and speed control for $1495.

Photo by Miles Branman

Adventure Ready

The Renegade is sized perfectly for adventurous singles of all ages and couples who have yet to fill out their family. While the rear seats offer enough room to tote friends around town, organizing long trips with baggage and 4-5 passengers will feel like a frustrating game of Tetris. Cargo capacity behind the rear seats is predictably tight at 18.5 cubic feet, but when you fold the rear seats down the Renegade has 50.8 cubic feet of room back there. With the height of its roof, it’s easy to fit a week’s worth of camping gear (or an afternoon of craigslist furniture shopping) in the Renegade’s boot. There’s a good chance that many Renegade buyers will scarcely see an unpaved road much less a rugged trail, but for those who desire adventure, the Renegade can get you and your hardware way out of town.

Photo by Miles Branman

Packages and Pricing

The 2016 Jeep Renegade comes in four distinct trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Starting at just $17,995, the front-wheel-drive Sport is light on equipment, but its fresh design, frugal powertrain, and clever interior come standard. To add 4WD to the mix, buyers will need to set aside an additional $2000. There are a number of standalone options like My Sky ($1095) and blacked-out roof rails ($195) to give the Renegade added flair.  Stepping up to the $21,295 Latitude (equipped with the 1.4-liter) brings 16-inch wheels, tinted windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, and a 5-inch UConnect display. Things get pricey at the Limited grade with the 2.4-liter engine, 9-speed automatic, 18-inch wheels, leather seats, a heated steering wheel, 7-inch UConnect display, remote start, and dual-zone climate control bundled together for $24,795. Finally, the Trailhawk comes equipped with tow hooks, a 4:33:1 axle ratio, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for $26,990.

Photo by Miles Branman

Competitors

No one will dispute the Renegade’s claim to being the most rugged subcompact crossover, but those who are just after the Jeep’s styling will likely cross-shop the Kia Soul, Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Mini Cooper Countryman. The Renegade’s closest dirt-worthy rival is Subaru’s Crosstrek, which offers similar off-road capability and butch looks. The Renegade’s competitive set includes more efficient, arguably more attractive, and more affordable vehicles, but this micro Jeep bundles each of its rivals best elements into one compelling product.