2022 Jeep Renegade Review: One-Of-A-Kind Off-Roader
Eager to prove that a Jeep is still a Jeep, no matter how small, the Detroit manufacturer has gone full retro with the subcompact Jeep Renegade crossover. Sharing a platform with its corporate sibling, the Fiat 500X, the Renegade packs cutesy styling in a box-shaped package but also caters to those with a sense of adventure by offering all-wheel-drive and a 'Trail-Rated' badge. That means serious business in the world of Jeep, and no other subcompact is this capable off-road, but while the ability to conquer the unknown and one of the best infotainment interfaces in the industry bode well for the rugged Renegade, a nine-speed automatic gearbox as the only transmission choice is a serious downer. Paired to either a 180-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.4-liter or 177-hp 1.3-liter turbo motor, the powertrain options are glaring faults. In a segment jam-packed with the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, and Honda HR-V, can bold styling overcome substandard hardware? Following our comprehensive Renegade review, we're not so sure it can.
2022 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 | 3,056.0 lbs |
2022 Renegade Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Renegade deserves props as the only subcompact SUV on the market with genuine off-road chops. The Trailhawk, with a low-range transfer case, multiple off-road modes, and stubbly all-terrain tires, is a genuinely capable machine for getting into the great outdoors, and if you're on a subcompact budget with Wrangler-sized ambitions, it's the only crossover worth looking at. But, subcompact crossovers are almost never taken off-road. In fact, their domain is city streets and, at most, grass curbs at little Timmy's soccer match.
In the environment where these cars are likely to be driven the most, the Renegade is woefully underequipped. Not only is noise problematic due to the boxy proportions and upright windscreen, but the driving dynamics are severely flawed. Look past the handicapped powertrain and you're met with lifeless steering that's vague in both feedback and responses and suspension that mixes the wrong aspects of spring and damper configurations. The springs are soft - ideal for comfort, but the dampers fail to mitigate most corrugations. Ultimately, the Renegade is a car that ends up lurching in the corners while failing to be truly comfortable.
The brakes are soft, but ultimately still do the job set out for them, but the overall experience is one found lacking in many aspects. The stop-start system is flawed, too, and we regularly found ourselves attempting to pull away only for the engine to not start up and the car to roll back towards traffic behind us. It's not ideal.
2022 Renegade Interior
2022 Renegade Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 3 Years / Unlimited Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the New Jeep Renegade A Good SUV?
The Renegade does several things right in the subcompact segment, with commanding visibility, unforgettable styling, and a standard infotainment system that buyers will love. It also boasts unique bragging rights as the only subcompact crossover with genuine off-road ability, and in Trailhawk guise, it's genuinely capable. But most buyers won't even consider the Trailhawk, and on-road, the Renegade is far from the best possible crossover for sale.
The default engine option is underpowered and uncompetitive in the fuel economy stakes, and the nine-speed transmission does it no favors. It's the weakest link of an altogether poor chain, but the overly soft suspension and vague steering are also low points. Cabin space is also limited in terms of both the rear passengers and cargo volume, and while subcompacts aren't traditionally full-on family vehicles, they do need to be highly practical. The long and short of it is that unless you're looking at the Trailhawk, the rest of the line-up is simply unremarkable.
2022 Jeep Renegade Comparisons
2022 Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Compass
The larger Compass starts off at $25,240, $2,745 more than the base Jeep Renegade Sport. The two models also share a platform and the nine-speed automatic transmission (although 4x2 Compass models use a six-speed auto), but the Compass uses a lackluster 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine. The major difference (besides their respective appearances) comes down to overall size, with the Compass measuring 173 inches in length, a full 6.4 inches longer than the Renegade. As you may imagine, this contributes to the Compass having more interior space and a larger trunk (27.2 cubic feet as opposed to the Renegade's 18.5). The heavier Compass is, however, saddled with the poor 2.4-liter engine and can't be had with the Renegade's turbocharged unit. If you need more space, the Compass is a better option, but the Renegade's unique design and (slightly) better turbocharged engine are advantages in its favor.
2022 Jeep Renegade vs Kia Soul
It's quite easy to separate these two competitors. Where the Jeep is much more suited to off-roading with an available 4x4 drivetrain on every trim, the Kia Soul is only offered with front-wheel-drive. Starting at just $19,190, the new Soul looks cooler than ever, but it also rides with more smoothness and composure than the rugged Renegade. You can have the Kia with a 201-hp turbocharged engine that endows it with far superior performance to the Jeep's powertrain, again driving home the message that the Korean is much better suited to the school run and even longer trips. The Soul's specs include a CVT and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, outclassing the Renegade's sub-par automatic. Throw in the Kia's extra interior space and its larger cargo area, and it's the clear winner here - unless, of course, you need to go off-road.