Name: Jeep Renegade Review
Item: Jeep Renegade
Author: Gumtree.com

The Jeep Renegade was launched in 2015 and is a small SUV that offers a good entry point to the brand. It’ll appeal to Jeep fans and off-road enthusiasts, as well as those looking for a well-styled runabout that feels as much at home in the city as it does on the trails. Accordingly, there are both 2WD and 4WD versions. Originally offered with petrol and diesel engines, the Renegade now comes with just petrol options and a hybrid version.

Browse available vehicles and learn more on the Jeep Renegade model page.

What we think about the Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade is an eye-catching small SUV with off-road capabilities that’ll appeal to adventurous drivers.

Pros

Spacious and practical

Capable off-road (especially the Trail Hawk trim)

Stylish, unique design

Cons

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Bouncy ride and handling

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Autonomous braking not standard

The Jeep Renegade comes in four trims: Longitude, Night Eagle, Limited and Trail Hawk. It also has the option of two petrol engines and a plug-in hybrid variant. In terms of fuel economy, expect around 40 mpg for the petrol-only cars and 135 mpg for the PHEV.

Driving performance of the Jeep Renegade

Our Driving Rating6 / 10

This is one of the most competent small SUVs off-road, as you might expect from a marque with Jeep’s reputation. Unfortunately, on the road, where most people will spend their time, it translates into a little too much body roll. Go for the Trail Hawk edition and the increased off-road ability it brings means even more wobbling through corners. Ride comfort is a similar story, feeling overly bouncy, particularly on bumps and potholes. A tight turning circle makes light work of parking at least, even if visibility at the rear is a little poor.

Safety and reliability of the Jeep Renegade

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

In 2014, the Renegade received a full five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, but this fell to three stars when tested in 2019. Technology moves on and expectations for safety tech had increased. The Jeep doesn’t include AEB (autonomous emergency braking) as standard. So, if that’s a deal-breaker for you, it’s a good idea to check it’s fitted in the vehicle you’re looking at. Reliability-wise, the Renegade feels rugged and is based on the Fiat 500, so major issues aren’t expected.

Under the bonnet of the Jeep Renegade

Our Engine Rating6 / 10

The base 1.0-litre petrol engine is adequate, but feels a little under-powered for the Renegade. The 1.3-litre engine comes in 148 bhp or 178 bhp variants and either of these seem a better fit for the car. Opting for the hybrid unit adds an electric motor to this engine, and with the top-of-the-range Trail Hawk you can get a power output of 237 bhp. Whichever you go for, you may be disappointed by the auto ‘box, which can feel a little sluggish.

What you'll find in the Jeep Renegade

Our Design Rating8 / 10

We think the design of the Renegade is one of the best things about it. It captures the essence of the brand’s style (like that big grille and circular headlights), but brings a little modernity and urban chic. It possibly won’t suit die-hard Jeep fans, who may find it a little too cutesy – but it should widen the market appeal. The all-black detailing, grille and alloys of the Night Eagle trim gives the car a little more of an edge.

Comfort and interiors in the Jeep Renegade

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Historically, Jeep interiors have seemed a little dated and cheap. But that’s changed in recent years and the inside of the Renegade has a real sense of modernity and reasonable quality. The seats are comfortable and there’s plenty of legroom and headroom, even in the back. In terms of practicality, the boot is a useful 351 litres with a low loading lip and wide door that make getting things in a doddle. The rear doors open nice and wide too – great news for parents fitting car seats.

What features you'll find in the Jeep Renegade

Our Features Rating7 / 10

All Renegades have a touchscreen infotainment unit with Bluetooth as standard. In earlier cars, this was five inches on base models, rising to seven inches for higher specs like Limited. More recently, the standard size has risen to 8.4 inches and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the outside, alloy wheels are standard across the range, starting at 16″ and increasing to 18″. Off-road enthusiasts going for the Trail Hawk model will get a host of useful technology, such as rock mode and hill-descent control.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Jeep Renegade

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

Exact figures vary across the trims, but for both the 1.0 and 1.3-litre units, hover around 40 mpg. The hybrid is capable of a much more impressive 135 mpg, but comes with a significantly higher purchase price. It’s a similar picture when it comes to emissions, as the 1.0 and 1.3-litre engines put out around 150 g/km. But for the hybrid, it’s just 49 g/km. In summary, the Jeep Renegade’s numbers are good, but not great.

Running costs of the Jeep Renegade

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

Reasonable fuel efficiency will help to keep costs down and servicing shouldn’t break the bank either. The internal service is every 12 months or 9000 miles, so those doing a lot of miles will feel it more. A positive for this little Jeep is that it shares a lot of mechanics with the Fiat 500. This means that maintenance won’t be charged at premium levels and you’ll likely get solid reliability.

Our verdict of the Jeep Renegade

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

A uniquely styled small SUV with genuine off-road capabilities, the Renegade will appeal to many – providing you can live with a less-than-perfect experience on roads.

Jeep Renegade Review