Jeep's baby Renegade has been usefully improved. Jonathan Crouch drives it

Ten Second Review

The Jeep Renegade is a genuinely smart piece of product design, distilling Jeep's brand values into a smaller package while leaning on the smartest technology the Fiat Group has to offer. This improved version gets much improved cabin screen tech and media connectivity. And slightly more efficient powertrains that, as previously, offer either hybrid or PHEV tech. But as before, if you eat squirrel, own a bowling ball and call your first cousin your spouse, chances are you're going to hate it. Otherwise, read on.

Background

Take a respected brand, a fresh and vibrant market segment and a willingness to do something different. Then create from that a product with uncompromising looks, real capability and clever design. The result you'd get certainly wouldn't be ordinary. It wouldn't please traditionalists. No, in automotive terms, what you'd get would be something like this, the Jeep Renegade. At its original launch here in 2015, news that this Renegade was almost entirely based on Fiat's 500X had Jeep die-hards choking on their beer. These people needed to allow for the fact that much had been done with these underpinnings in creation of a tougher, more rugged and very different product. It's certainly one that's attracted widespread interest and still accounts for a large proportion of Jeep's UK sales. It's achillies heel was previously an ancient couple of petrol engines, which in 2018 were dumped as part of the changes made to this smarter, more sophisticated facelifted model. A 4xe PHEV variant was added to the range in 2020. And e-Hybrid mild hybrid models followed in early 2022. The update we're looking at here, which brought a higher level of cabin screen tech, was introduced for the 2024 model year.

Driving Experience

Beneath the bonnet, everything's petrol-powered in the Renegade line-up these days and you have to have automatic transmission. There's a choice of two electrified models. The first option is is the mild hybrid front-driven 'e-Hybrid' variant, which is based around a four cylinder 1.5-litre unit which puts out 130hp and 240Nm of torque and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. The propulsion system includes a built-in 48 volt 15kW (20hp) electric motor delivering 55Nm of torque, which can propel the wheels even when the internal combustion engine is turned off. Your other Renegade option is the '4xe' Plug in Hybrid variant, which is a 4WD PHEV. To create the plug-in drivetrain, Jeep has taken a Fiat-derived 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and mated it to an 11.4kWh battery pack and a 59bhp electric motor. Total system output is 240hp, with 270Nm of torque and quite a rapid 7.1s rest to 62mph time. The electric motor drives the rear axle, delivering four-wheel drive. And the battery has a WLTP-rated driving range when fully charged of 26 miles. Power is marshalled by a 6-speed auto gearbox. As usual with a PHEV, there are 'Hybrid', 'Full Electric' and 'Sport' driving modes, plus an 'E-Save' battery saving setting which can put battery charge on hold so it can be used in urban traffic at the end of the trip. Plus there's an energy recovery system with two levels of regeneration. Jeep says the PHEV installation doesn't affect the off-road prowess of the top 'Trailhawk' version, but instead enhances it. First because the plug-in drivetrain offers 50% more torque than the alternative diesel. And second because the rear motor allows for independent torque split over the rear axle, allowing torque to be very precisely split between the rear wheels in tricky situations. For these, there are sand, snow, rock and mud drive modes.

Design and Build

The Renegade has always sold on its styling - and it still will. There are no exterior visual updates for this improved model, enhanced in recent years by the adoption of LED technology for the headlamps and tail lights. As before, the squarical profile features lovely tight overhangs and some very cool detailing. What is particularly interesting is the way the design includes some very traditional Jeep design cues but isn't afraid to twist them a bit into something resolutely modern-looking. That aspect you will either love or hate. Cover up the badges inside the car and, yes, you would probably think you were in a Fiat product, but if you've had a look at the latest Fiat range, that's no bad thing. The big change with this improved model lies in the extra screen tech - a 40% increase in display area no less. That means a large 10.25-inch instrument screen. And a big 10.1-inch centre infotainment monitor (up from 8.4-inches before) with 4G capability, wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto', a digital rear view camera, over-the-air updates, an Amazon Alexa voice assistant and Jeep's suite of 'Connected Services' that work via a connected app. As for practicality, well as before it's a bit pinched in the back, but then that comes with the territory when you've got this little length to play with. Out back, boot capacity ranges between 330 and 351-litres, depending on variant. The seats-down luggage capacity is 1,282-litres.

Market and Model

In the UK, the Renegade is available in a range comprising different trim levels. For the front-driven e-Hybrid, priced from £30,500, there are 'Altitude' and 'Summit' options. You'll need from £38,000 for the PHEV eAWD version and you'll choose between 'Overland' and 'Trailhawk' variants. Standard equipment, even in base models is relatively generous, including air conditioning, DAB radio with touchscreen and Bluetooth, electric parking brake, 17-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring, and remote central locking. Plus a six-speaker audio system, roof rails, body coloured door mirrors and handles, cruise control, and front fog lamps. The 'Summit'-spec adds 18-inch aluminium wheels, heated front seats and a leather steering wheel, leather upholstery, privacy glass and rear parking sensors. Switching to the PHEVs, 'Overland' trim gets you off-road bumpers and grippier mud and snow tyres on 17-inch rims. And the top 'Trailhawk' version comes equipped with essential features for off-road adventures, including a transmission skid plate, a front suspension skid plate, a transfer case skid plate shield and a fuel tank skid plate shield. The Selec-terrain System with Sport and Rock Mode provides enhanced control and adaptability, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to various road conditions. The height-adjustable cargo load floor ensures practicality, plus there's a Red Tow hook, a 215/60R17 temporary use spare tyre, bonnet decals and all-season floor mats. In case you were wondering where the Renegade is screwed together, yes, it's from the Deep South. Of Italy though; coming off the same Melfi production line as the Fiat 500X SUV.

Cost of Ownership

The Renegade certainly can't afford to be an expensive car to run, but it rather was in its original petrol forms. Jeep says that this improved Renegade introduces an 'optimised new calibration of the engine and battery', both on the e-Hybrid and the 4xe PHEV that, combined with the introduction of new A+ class 18-inch tyres, is supposed to improve fuel consumption and CO2 emissions up to 5%. Hence competitive CO2 figures rated at 126-127g/km for the e-Hybrid with a combined fuel consumption figure of 50.4mpg. That only leaves the 4xe PHEV model. When fully charged, that plug-in version offers an electrified driving range of up to 26 miles. Jeep claims that up to 134mpg is possible on the combined cycle when driving in 'Hybrid' mode; and the brand now claims a CO2 reading of 43-44g/km. With a typical 7.4kW garage wallbox, you'll be able to recharge in just 1hr and 40 minutes. Of course, the ultimate figures you achieve in any Renegade will depend very much on how you drive, something you can monitor and improve if you've downloaded the infotainment system's 'Uconnect LIVE' app onto your smartphone. This gives you an 'eco:Drive' section that enables you to develop your driving style, save fuel and check your car's CO2 emissions in real time. During each trip, 'eco:Drive monitors four driving parameters: acceleration, deceleration, changing gears and speed variation. There's also a 'my:car' feature that allows you to check your fuel level and tyre pressure, choose an assistance service if you have an emergency and be informed if there's anything wrong with your vehicle. What else might you need to know? There's an unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile warranty, though you do get three years of breakdown cover included in the deal. We'd want to opt for the 'Mopar Vehicle Protection' 'Freedom Pack' which extends the warranty to five years and provides competitively priced servicing and assistance plans.

Summary

This Renegade has brought a long overdue dose of credibility to the small SUV segment. Here, you get plenty of style, in a bluff, tough Jeep kind of way, but there's decent substance behind that too, with near-family-sized practicality and the potential for far more off road prowess than any other car in this segment can provide. So you get a little more than you might expect to from this class of car - which is just as well, given premium pricing that lifts this Jeep well clear of cheaper offerings in the Juke-genre. If you're OK with that and dig the distinctive look, then potentially, there's much to like here, especially in this improved model with its enhanced screen tech. The efficient engineering, strong safety standards and hi-tech features you'd want a reasonably expensive family car to provide are here packaged with a depth of character you simply wouldn't think you'd find at this price point. The result is the kind of car people talk about - the sort almost everyone will have an opinion on, so shy and retiring types should shop elsewhere. In a sea of compact Crossovers, this one's very different from the norm. A renegade if you like - perhaps, just as every Jeep should be.