2018 Jeep Renegade Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What’s new

　　The Jeep Renegade receives a handful of infotainment updates for 2018. A rearview camera, a 5-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system are all now standard. New, upgraded 7- and 8.4-inch touchscreens now include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. All touchscreens are loaded with the newest version of Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Think about any SUV TV commercial from two decades ago. Chances are it featured a blocky truck tearing through muddy puddles along a wooded trail while promising go-anywhere capability. However, most people don't traipse through underbrush on their way to work, and automakers have increasingly favored the on-road experience. But all is not lost for weekend adventurers. The 2018 Jeep Renegade proves you can have comfort and genuine off-road performance in a single, relatively affordable small SUV package.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Jeep Renegade Sport 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 11/17 (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$174/mo  for Renegade Sport

　　Renegade Sport

　　Sport 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 11/17 (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $18,445 MSRPSport 4dr SUV 4WD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $19,945 MSRPLatitude 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) (Most Popular) - $21,845 MSRPLatitude 4dr SUV 4WD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $23,345 MSRPUpland Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $22,270 MSRPAltitude 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $22,540 MSRPAltitude 4dr SUV 4WD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $24,040 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $25,645 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $27,145 MSRPTrailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $26,845 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The Renegade's off-road abilities make it unique in the rapidly growing subcompact SUV class, especially in Trailhawk guise. Its all-terrain tires, increased ride height and low-range four-wheel drive make it the gem in the lineup if you're ready to get a little dirty. Even the trims that aren't trail-rated — from the fire sale-priced Sport to the luxe Limited — can venture off the beaten path more comfortably than rivals.

　　But the Renegade isn't just for those looking to conquer the great outdoors. With the exception of the Trailhawk (its tires make the ride quite bumpy), the smallest Jeep is downright pleasurable to drive on the road. We think it's one of the standouts in the segment, whether you're keeping the tires on asphalt or trudging through mud.

　　Notably, we picked the 2018 Jeep Renegade as one of zzdcar' Best Small SUVs for 2018.

　　

What's it like to live with?

To learn more about the Jeep Renegade of this generation, read our updates from Best Small SUVs. We purchased one of the top trims, the Trailhawk, and over our year with the little Jeep rig, we covered everything from daily driving to off-roading to cross-country road trips and all the quirks in between. Please note that the 2018 Jeep Renegade differs from our long-term Renegade in that the touchscreen is larger and updated with a newer version of the Uconnect infotainment system for 2018. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.5 / 10

　　No other subcompact crossover on the market offers as much off-road capability as the 2018 Jeep Renegade. But even if your version of extreme driving is just navigating a Costco parking lot, the Renegade's other attributes are appealing enough to make it a solid pick for a pint-size SUV.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude (2.4L inline-4 | 9-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Jeep Renegade has received some revisions, including the addition of a few features that were not originally available, such as 2017's xenon headlights and automatic high-beam control. The 7- and 8.4-inch displays are also new for 2018. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Jeep Renegade.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.5 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	5.0

　　

Driving

7.0

　　Though its 2.4-liter four-cylinder is more powerful than its competition, acceleration is merely average. Drivability is also suspect due to the transmission. But braking is excellent, handling is surprisingly nimble, and it's quite capable off-road.

　　

Acceleration

7.0

　　Acceleration from zero to 60 mph takes 9.4 seconds, which is average for this segment. In the real world, it feels a bit quicker due to the 2.4-liter's comparatively generous low-end power and quick response.

　　

Braking

9.0

　　Braking in the Renegade Latitude is excellent. It posted shorter than average distances in our emergency braking test, with subsequent stops showing no fade. The brake pedal has a short stroke with a medium-firm feel, which works well for normal driving.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　If you're expecting slow, nebulous Jeep steering you will be pleasantly surprised. The wheel is nicely weighted and generally precise, and it offers an acceptable amount of feedback. It contributes to the car's generally nimble feel.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　It's all about perspective. Most competitors are ultimately more composed and capable, but given the Renegade's off-road capability, it is impressive. The Latitude is certainly more engaging and sharper to drive than the off-road-oriented Renegade Trailhawk.

　　

Drivability

6.0

　　Aggressive driving can flummox the nine-speed transmission, which is also slow to downshift on the highway regardless of driving style. The transmission is clearly not the Renegade's strong suit, but it's probably not a deal-breaker either.

　　

Off-road

8.5

　　Turns out you don't need the Trailhawk trim, which Jeep deems Trail Rated, to venture off-road. The Latitude 4x4 still has ample ground clearance, 4WD Lock and Jeep's Selec-Terrain system. It tackled obstacles that rivals could not and kept going even with one wheel off the ground.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　The comfortable front seats with a wide range of adjustments stand out in this segment, even if the back seat is merely adequate in terms of comfort and space. The Latitude trim has a relatively pillowy ride for the segment, though wind noise and engine noise are plentiful.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　Cloth upholstery allows for a soft, enveloping seat that the optional leather can't match. There is excellent adjustment range from the optional eight-way power driver seat. Drivers between 5 feet and 6 feet 5 inches tall should fit. The rear seats are a bit flat, and the seatbacks don't recline.

　　

Ride comfort

8.5

　　The Latitude soaks up bumps far better than the Trailhawk trim and doesn't jossle you about. There's plenty of cushion to it, and this might be the plushest ride in a segment of mostly firm-riding entries. If anything, some might find it a tad floaty.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.5

　　Engine noises are largely kept in check. As a brick-shaped vehicle with big mirrors, wind noise is an issue. (The optional My Sky roof increases it further.) Levels of road and tire noise in the Latitude are acceptable. The Trailhawk is noticeably louder.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　For such a small car, the Renegade is impressively roomy inside. There's more than enough headroom for taller folks, though they might find issue with the limited legroom when sitting behind another tall passenger. The My Sky panels are more interesting in theory than execution.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　The Renegade's compact cabin ensures that everything up front is easy to reach, from the big, simple climate controls to the touchscreen and the 4WD terrain selector.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　The not-too-high, not-too-low seat height should be spot-on for people who otherwise struggle to get into and out of cars. The rear doors are narrow but squared-off, minimizing the chances of bonking your head. They also open to nearly 90 degrees.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　Excellent headroom for the segment. Ample seat adjustment provides superior front legroom. Backseat legroom is largely dependant on front-seat position, which is typical for the segment, but fitting a rear-facing child seat would be difficult.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　The upright windshield provides a broad view ahead. Big mirrors and a rearview camera are appreciated while parking, as are the Renegade's overall square dimensions. Lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring are optional.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　The Renegade offers average materials quality for a segment filled with mostly impressive cabins. Even hard plastics don't look especially cheap, while the soft-touch dash and solid switchgear make the cabin look and feel appropriate for its price.

　　

Convertible top

　　The optional My Sky roof panels are two large, removable panels fit over the front and rear passenger areas. While neat in theory, they produce too much wind buffeting above 45 mph, and you have to store them in the cargo area when you remove them.

　　

Utility

5.0

　　It doesn't take much to fill up the tiny cargo area, and really, this could be the Renegade's biggest deal-breaker. Even the small underfloor storage area disappears when you get a full-size spare. If you plan a road trip and need the back seat, a roof-mounted box is a must.

　　

Which Renegade does zzdcar recommend?

　　While the low MSRPs of the Sport and Latitude are undeniably attractive, these are relatively lightly optioned cars. To get the full experience of what the Renegade has to offer, we suggest going with the Limited or Trailhawk trims. Overall, we recommend the Limited for its wealth of desirable features, including leather seating and cargo-friendly rear-seat configuration. More adventurous buyers will be best satisfied with the off-road-ready Trailhawk.

　　

2018 Jeep Renegade models

　　The 2018 Jeep Renegade is a subcompact crossover with greater off-road abilities than any other vehicle in the class. It's sold in four trims: base Sport, the better-equipped Latitude, the trail-conquering Trailhawk and the luxurious Limited. Front-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional on all trims except the Trailhawk, which is the only model outfitted with 4WD with a low-range setting.

　　The entry-level Sport model is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (160 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque) paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels, manually adjustable mirrors, remote locking and unlocking, push-button ignition, power windows and locks, a rearview camera, a height-adjustable driver seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, cloth upholstery, a removable cargo floor panel, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a driver information display, Bluetooth, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker sound system with a USB port.

　　There are three primary features packages for the Renegade Sport. A Sport Appearance package adds alloy wheels, roof rails and privacy glass. The Power & Air Group package adds heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors, cruise control and air conditioning. Finally, the Uconnect 7.0 Group includes dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, a 7-inch touchscreen, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

　　The Latitude comes standard with those three packages, plus foglights, automatic headlights, body-colored door handles and mirrors, ambient LED lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an additional USB port. The Altitude package adds black exterior styling elements, 18-inch wheels, upgraded cloth upholstery and vinyl door trim.

　　Optional for both models is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (180 hp, 175 lb-ft) paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

　　The 2.4-liter engine comes standard on the Limited. The Limited also adds dual exhaust tips, automatic wipers, a windshield wiper de-icer, silver roof rails, keyless ignition and entry (with remote engine start), vinyl door trim, an upgraded driver information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote engine start, a 115-volt household-style power outlet, leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with four-way power lumbar), heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat with a center pass-through.

　　The off-road-themed Trailhawk builds off the Latitude's feature set, with the 2.4-liter engine, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, four-wheel drive with low-range settings, hill descent control, a raised suspension, tow hooks, underbody skid plates, a full-size spare, unique exterior and interior accents, all-season floor mats and upgraded cloth upholstery. It also includes some of the Limited's upgrades, including automatic wipers, vinyl door trim, an upgraded driver information display, the 115-volt outlet and a leather-wrapped shift knob.

　　Many features on the upper trims are available on lower models in a variety of option packages. Other notable packages include the Safety & Security Group (Latitude and above; adds xenon headlights, automatic wipers, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert), Advanced Technology Group (Latitude and Limited only; adds automatic high-beam control, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and mitigation, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking) and Uconnect 8.4 NAV Group (Latitude and above; adds a navigation system, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, HD radio and the contents of the Uconnect 7.0 package).

　　Manually removable My Sky sunroofs can be ordered on all Renegades. Except on the Sport model, the front sunroof can also be power-operated. You can also get a nine-speaker Beats premium audio system on Renegades except the Sport model. A tow package is also available for Latitude models and above, providing you opt for four-wheel drive.

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Renegade News

　　You Can Now Order a 2-Door Jeep Wrangler With 35-Inch Tires

　　

2018 Renegade Highlights

Trim: SportLatitudeUpland EditionAltitudeLimitedTrailhawkSport

　　

Base MSRP	$18,445
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$174/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles