From its rugged charm, iconic seven-slot grille, and boxy appearance, to its urban-friendly size and class-leading off-road prowess, the Jeep Renegade is a stand-out option in the subcompact crossover class. While it may look like an all-American machine, the Renegade is a truly global vehicle. It shares its powertrains, platform, and space on the same Italian assembly line as the Fiat 500X.
For 2017, the Renegade carries over mostly unchanged other than the addition of a few new features. All models now receive push-button start with the Limited trim level receiving proximity key lock and unlock functionality. North trim level models with the (optional) 6.5-inch Uconnect navigation system now get a seven-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster display included as a part of the package. Lastly, automatic high-beam headlamps and HID headlights also join the options list. A new colour joins the Renegade's pallet for 2017 - Hypergreen.
Engine and transmission options for the Renegade depend highly on trim level.
Sport and North trim levels come equipped with a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is strong for the class. This engine is available in front-drive and four-wheel drive models when paired to the standard six-speed manual. Thanks to a nifty disconnecting function for the rear axle, both 4x2 and 4x4 versions of have the same fuel economy - 9.9 L/100 km city and 7.5 L/100 km highway.
A nine-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on Sport and North trim levels in either front- or four-wheel drive configurations but comes paired to a bigger 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for this engine ranges between 10.8 - 11.2 L/100 km city and 7.7 - 8.0 L/100 km on the highway.
The 2.4-litre and nine-speed automatic transmission come standard on the Trailhawk and Limited trims, as does four-wheel drive. The Trailhawk uses an upgraded four-wheel-drive system with a shorter final-drive ratio and a special crawl ratio for when the going gets rough. Paired with upgraded suspension components, a tighter steering ratio, underbody protection, and all-terrain tires, the Trailhawk is the most capable vehicle off-road in the subcompact crossover class.
The interior of the Renegade offers plenty of soft-touch materials and quirky design elements including mud-splash motifs on the instrument panel and little hidden “easter egg” designs like the iconic Jeep grille and headlamps, but equipment levels on the base Sport trim are minimal. Air conditioning is not standard, and you’ll need to pay extra for a reverse camera. On the plus side, the view out from the driver’s seat is commanding and rear-seat passenger room and cargo space are decent for the class. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat is standard, with up-level trims receiving a 40/20/40 split folding configuration. Depending on trim level, the Renegade can be equipped with unexpected and unique features including a wiper de-icer, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, 115-volt power outlet, auxiliary heater, and removable roof panels.
Regarding technology, all Renegade variants come standard with Bluetooth and a USB port; optional on the Sport and standard on the North is a 5.0-inch touchscreen display. A 6.5-inch screen is also available with navigation. Emergency autonomous braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning are available in the Renegade, but only on the North and Limited trim levels.
Pricing for the 2017 Renegade starts at $21,745 for the Sport 4x2 with manual transmission and tops out at $34,145 for the Limited.
