JEEP RENEGADE S. THERE'S ONLY ONE.

Overview

The Renegade lineup represents the entry point into the Jeep lifestyle at a price most can afford, with legitimate off-road abilities and unmistakable styling. Its compact proportions allow it to navigate the concrete jungle as easily as the wooded trails. While the Renegade is neither as quick nor as agile as most other subcompact crossovers, it delivers a comfortable ride and versatile cabin. The littlest Jeep is also available with advanced all-wheel-drive systems and can tow up to 2000 pounds. Its airy interior is even airier with the optional removable roof panels. Every model can be had with an excellent infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Driver-assistance technology, such as adaptive cruise control and self-parking assist, are available, too.

What's New for 2019?
The 2019 Renegade receives a new engine, updated exterior bits, and more features. Jeep made the 2.4-liter four-cylinder the base engine on lower trims and replaced the old turbocharged 1.4-liter four with an all-new 1.3-liter version that's more powerful. Every Renegade gets a nine-speed automatic transmission; the previously standard manual gearbox is no longer available. The boxy baby Jeep is still easily recognized, but its front end now wears a refreshed grille surround and redesigned bumper. Its new wheel designs will eventually be joined by three fresh exterior paint colors: Bikini, Slate Blue, and Sting Gray. Inside, the Renegade's gauge cluster adds revised graphics. Other new features include optional LED exterior lighting and more driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and a self-parking feature.

We prefer to keep our Renegade affordable, which means choosing the base Sport model and adding desirable options. The $1500 all-wheel-drive system is a must-have versus the standard front-drive setup. We'd also select the turbocharged engine for another $1495, due to its higher torque rating (200 lb-ft versus 175) and exclusive fuel-saving technology. This upgrade also adds keyless entry and remote start. While the optional removable roof panels (called My Sky) are cool, they require the Sport Appearance package and together cost almost $2500. Instead, we'd settle for the Uconnect 7.0 Group that includes dual-zone automatic climate control and a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Legitimate off-road capability, most models have a comfortable ride, can tow up to 2000 pounds.
Dislikes: Slow acceleration, buzzy engine sounds, some rivals have sharper handling.

It's a good thing that Jeep owners enjoy raw experiences, because there is no polish to the Renegade's standard four-cylinder engine. Although the last version we tested had sluggish acceleration times, we haven't tested the turbocharged 1.3-liter version. It makes less horsepower than the 2.4-liter engine, but it develops another 25 lb-ft of torque (200 total) that should help better motivate it. Both engines pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. While all-wheel-drive models can tow up to 2000 pounds, Jeep doesn't recommend towing with front-drive versions.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The previous Renegade models we've tested have had poor fuel economy, but the latest versions get an all-new engine and other fuel efficiencies. However, we haven't tested the new turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder, and the EPA has not released its city and highway ratings. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder with front-wheel drive is rated at 22 mpg city and 30 highway; paired with all-wheel drive, it earns 1 mpg less in both metrics. We tested an all-wheel-drive model on our 200-mile highway route and saw 26 mpg.

As with the exterior design, the Renegade's interior is made to appeal to the part of our brains that once created full-length dialogues between two dinosaur-shaped erasers. It's filled with odd shapes, toyish trimmings, and small design surprises—such as maps imprinted into cupholders and the phrase "Since 1941" stamped into the dash plastic. Consider us amused. Too bad its chunky roof pillars make for significant blind spots, by far the most egregious in this class of vehicles.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Renegade turned in average crash-test results when reviewed by the country's two major testing agencies. The Renegade has an impressive set of optional driver-assistance equipment, which includes adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and a semi-autonomous feature that helps parking in parallel and perpendicular spots. Key safety features include:

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