2019 Jeep Renegade Review: The Baby Offroader
In the small SUV segment, the Jeep Renegade provides buyers with the choice of opting for a true off-roading champion, or a mid-level subcompact family carrier. With two engines on offer - the standard 2.4-liter Tigershark inline-four or the new 1.3-liter turbo four-cylinder - the Renegade can be quite widely customized to suit your specific needs. The class-leading Trailhawk variant comes with all the necessary underpinnings to give it true off-roading prowess including five modes catering to off-roading, or just tackling harsher weather conditions. It's also the only vehicle in the class that boasts a disconnecting rear axle and power take-off unit. With rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek offering better utility, and the Kia Soul a much softer urban ride, is the Renegade really worth looking at? Are the 75 years of the Jeep heritage really sensible in this guise, or should buyers look at the Renegade's sibling, the Jeep Compass?
What's the Price of the 2019 Jeep Renegade?
The cheapest Renegade available is the front-wheel-drive Sport trim, with an MSRP of $22,275. Moving one trim up to the Latitude requires you to budget $24,125 while the Upland model has a starting price of $25,070. In the middle of the range, the Altitude has a sticker price of $25,120, while the Limited costs $26,645. At the top of the range, the Trailhawk is priced at $27,795. To add all-wheel-drive configuration to the Sport, Altitude, Latitude, or Limited will set you back an additional $1,500. And, if you'd prefer your model with the optional 1.3-liter engine (excluding the Limited and Trailhawk that have it equipped as standard), you need to add another $1,495 to the invoice. This excludes licensing, registration and taxes, as well as a $1,495 destination fee.
2019 Renegade Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166.6 in | 101.2 in | 66.5 in | 74.2 in | 60.6 in | 60.6 in | 3,210.0 lbs |
2019 Renegade Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Smaller than most of its Jeep siblings, the Renegade benefits by being more nimble and agile. Some body roll is bound to be felt around corners, especially at speed, but in general, it feels smooth and composed. The firmer setup of 4x4 trims, especially the off-road-focused Trailhawk edition, makes for a little more bumping about and jostling, which is better soaked up in mid-level trims like the Latitude. The cabin is adequately insulated from road and engine noise, although some wind-noise is expected from an SUV that is not quite as aerodynamically-shaped as others. Opting for the My Sky Open-air roof system significantly exacerbates this.
On the plus side, the steering offers some relief: accurate and precise, there is a good amount of feedback that makes it easy to place the vehicle and get it to do what you want. Tight parking spaces and rougher-terrain are managed with equal ease. To supplement its agility, the Renegade is also fitted with excellent brakes, which feel responsive, firm, and effective.
While there isn't much excitement to be had in terms of day-to-day driving, off-roading is another cup of tea altogether. The low-range gearing on the Trailhawk means that hitting the ruts and trenches of the Wild West are nothing short of effortless - the Renegade is more at home off-road than it is on the freeway, and stands head and shoulders above rivals in this regard.
2019 Renegade Interior
2019 Renegade Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|
| 4/5 | 3/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Jeep Renegade A Good SUV?
The Renegade seems like a bit of a black sheep in the Jeep family - it's not quite off-road-focused unless you opt for the Trailhawk trim, and it's not quite luxury-oriented, although the Limited variant tries really hard to be. With below-average predicted reliability and average safety scores, the Renegade doesn't really blow your socks off. Still, it has good standard safety features and has a proven track record for being a capable vehicle - it can manage itself really well as an off-roader, and can be quite widely customized to suit your budget and your needs. Unless you are expressly looking for an urban ride characterized by comfort and class, you won't regret buying it. If you're hoping for a bit more comfort and convenience, you'd do well to take the Kia Soul (which is also much, much cheaper) for a test drive first.
What Jeep Renegade Model Should I Buy?
This seems like a bit of a loaded question because the way Jeep has set out the Renegade range allows for you to decide between wanting a luxury (or at least semi-luxurious) small SUV, or a capable off-roader, which means the model to buy depends on what you want. Opting for one of the mid-level trims to try and get the best of both worlds here may leave you frustrated, as you will likely have to opt on so many additional packages that the price would climb quite high, quite quickly. Instead, we'd recommend deciding on what your focus is - if you want a smaller vehicle that is off-road capable, don't even waste any time - opt for the class-leading Trailhawk. With its extra ground clearance, off-road suspension, front and rear tow hooks, low range crawl ratio, and skid plates, it's ideal for going off-road. If you're dead set on a Renegade and want some luxury, you'll have to go for the Limited trim at the very least to capitalize on the heated leather seats, upgraded infotainment system, and access to the driver aids.
2019 Jeep Renegade Comparisons
2019 Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Compass
From the same stable, the Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Compass share numerous similarities, not the least of which is the base 2.4-liter inline-four engine. The Compass costs at least $3,000 more, and for this increase in price, you get a mechanically similar vehicle, although it weighs around 500 lbs more at a base level. The Compass is quite a bit bigger, with more than 15 inches in length over the Renegade, and five inches in wheelbase. As a result, there is a bit more space in the rear seat for passengers with longer legs, and a whole lot more space behind the back seat for cargo storage - 24.6 cubic feet over the 18.5 of the Renegade. If it weren't for the Renegade's secret weapon, the brilliant 1.3-liter engine, we'd be inclined to choose the Compass instead; however, if you disliked the 2.4-liter motor on the smaller Jeep, we can guarantee it won't be any better with more weight to lug around.
2019 Jeep Renegade vs Kia Soul
With equally intriguing looks, the Kia Soul comes in at more than $5,500 cheaper than the Renegade. However, while the Renegade stands out for its off-roading ability, the Soul offers sublime city driving but is really not designed to go off-road at all and isn't even available with all-wheel-drive. While the Renegade offers a less-than-ideal urban drive, the Soul makes up for its lack of off-roading ability with a smooth, comfortable town driving experience. With a lighter bodyweight, the Kia Soul offers better fuel economy, too. There's isn't all that much difference in terms of interior space, however, so the choice really comes down to what you want the vehicle for. If you are a regular off-roader, the choice is obvious. If you want the look of a crossover and the practicality of an SUV, the Kia Soul is ideal.