2021 Jeep Renegade Review

　　

2021 Jeep Renegade Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　We're guessing the phrase "subcompact crossover SUV" doesn't exactly send fire through your veins. Indeed, most of these pint-size runabouts are pretty dull to drive. But one exception is the 2021 Jeep Renegade. In a sea of competitors battling to be the most practical or the most fuel-efficient, the Renegade focuses instead on a more exciting driving experience.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Renegade Sport 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 04/15 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) 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 $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$148/mo  for Renegade Sport

　　Renegade Sport

　　Sport 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 04/15 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $22,850 MSRPSport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $24,870 MSRPJeepster 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 04/15 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $24,745 MSRPJeepster 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $26,765 MSRPLatitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $25,475 MSRPLatitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $26,975 MSRPUpland 4dr SUV 4WD w/Prod. End 04/15 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $25,745 MSRPFreedom 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $26,365 MSRP80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $27,070 MSRP80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $28,570 MSRPIslander 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 04/15 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $27,430 MSRPIslander 4dr SUV 4WD w/Prod. End 04/15 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $28,930 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $29,525 MSRPTrailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $29,525 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Its Jeep Wrangler-inspired styling stands out thanks to round headlights and Jeep's familiar seven-slot grille. The short and stubby body also helps make the Renegade more off-road capable than rivals such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. There's even a raised Renegade Trailhawk version that comes with tow hooks, skid plates and a true low-range gear. But does that mean the Renegade overlooks critical areas such as comfort, storage space and fuel economy? Read our Expert Rating to find out how this sturdy subcompact SUV stacks up.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We put 20,000 miles on a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and largely came away impressed. Yes, the short overhangs and off-road ability came in handy in the dirt. But we also enjoyed the cheery interior and extra-comfy seats that helped on long road trips. Check out our long-term test of the Jeep Renegade to learn more about everything from performance to reliability. Note that while we tested a 2015 Renegade, the 2021 model is of the same generation, and many of our observations still apply.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Renegade drive? The Renegade doesn't do anything particularly outstanding here. We tested a Renegade Limited with the 1.3-liter engine and four-wheel drive. Its 9.3-second sprint to 60 mph makes it on the slower side of average for SUVs in this class. But more broadly, there's enough power to make passing or merging on the highway relatively uneventful.

　　Around town, the Renegade's brake pedal feels uneven and a bit mushy. In our brake testing it needed 135 feet to stop from 60 mph. That's longer than the class average. We do like the Renegade's engine stop-start system that provides near seamless restarts in traffic. The Renegade handles surprisingly well too. It's stable and planted in corners and easy and nimble to park.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Renegade? The Renegade's ride is surprisingly firm. You feel more bumps and road imperfections than you might expect from a small SUV. Our fully loaded test vehicle's 19-inch wheels are likely a big factor. A Renegade with smaller wheels (and therefore more absorbent tire sidewalls) should be more comfortable.

　　At idle, the Renegade is fairly quiet. While we didn't notice any squeaks or rattles, there's a good bit of wind and tire noise. The turbo engine doesn't offer a particularly great exhaust note either.

　　The climate control system works well, and our tester's heated seats and steering wheel worked quickly on a chilly day. The seats offer enough lateral support but feel a little too stiff and offer limited adjustment. Drivers who like to sit upright might find the headrest is angled too far forward.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Renegade's interior is open and roomy with plenty of headroom and shoulder room, even with the optional panoramic sunroof. Rear-seat legroom, however, is tight for the class.

　　The square-shaped doors open wide, and the seats sit tall enough to make getting in and out easy. The thick windshield roof pillars compromise forward visibility, but the large side and rear windows, in conjunction with the big outside mirrors, make it easier to see out of the sides and back.

　　The Renegade has easy-to-reach knobs and buttons with clear labels. Major menus in the infotainment system are all placed along the bottom of the screen and remain visible even with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration active.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The base Renegade's infotainment system is serviceable but lacks features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mid- and high-level models come with an upgraded system that's one of the best in the class thanks to better smartphone integration, a clean, easy-to-use menu system and a high-resolution 8.4-inch touchscreen display. Our test Renegade had two USB ports and two 12-volt outlets.

　　The Renegade offers a decent number of driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. They work pretty well, but most are optional when many competitors include them as standard equipment.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? With only 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, the Renegade is near the bottom of the class. The cargo area has a boxy shape at least, and the load floor is low.

　　Up front there's a bin in front of the gear shifter that's great for your phone or sunglasses, and the door pockets are large enough to hold smaller water bottles. The main cupholders are awkwardly placed — they're too low and too far rearward for easy access.

　　The 60/40-split rear seats fold flat and have anchor and tether points on both outer positions for child safety seats. Rear-facing safety seats might be tight, but most other seats should be fine.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We tested the Renegade with the 1.3-liter engine and four-wheel drive. The EPA estimates that this configuration is good for 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving. But we fell short of that on our 115-mile evaluation route, getting just 24 mpg. That's disappointing since most other vehicles in this class either meet or exceed their EPA combined rating.

　　

Value

6.5/10

　　Is the Renegade a good value? The Renegade is one of the most expensive vehicles in the segment, and the list of standard features doesn't reflect that price. Our Limited High Altitude trim model checked in at an eye-watering $36,110. Build quality is fine, but there's nothing exceptional inside and it feels like you're paying a lot for the rough-and-tumble Jeep styling.

　　A three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is a bit skimpy, but the powertrain coverage of five years/60,000 miles is about average for the class. The five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance coverage is reassuring.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　This is where the Renegade shines. Every trim, but especially the rough-and-tumble Trailhawk model, looks and feels cool. It's shaped like a small-scale version of the Wrangler, with exaggerated lines and features that give it both a cute and rugged appearance. While it's not especially fun to drive in most trims, the Trailhawk offers a decent amount of off-road capability that nothing else in the class can match.

　　

Which Renegade does zzdcar recommend?

Check out the Latitude. It's a nicely equipped trim that gives you flexibility with additional options.

　　

2021 Jeep Renegade models

The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV with seating for up to five passengers. It comes in four trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. A nine-speed transmission is standard on all trims. All-wheel drive is optional, although four-wheel drive comes standard on Limited and Trailhawk.

　　Sport

　　This entry-level model comes with a set of basic yet modern features:

　　2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 175 lb-ft of torque) 16-inch steel wheels Heated, power-adjustable mirrors Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel 7-inch touchscreen Smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Six-speaker sound system Dual-zone automatic climate control Height-adjustable driver's seat Fold-flat front passenger seat 60/40-split folding rear seat Cruise control Air conditioning Removable cargo floor panelStandard safety equipment for all trims includes:

　　Blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Forward collision warning with active braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) (not included on Trailhawk) Lane departure warning with lane keeping assist (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Trailer sway damping (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway)Jeepster Edition

　　This add-on package to the Sport comes with the following:

　　19-inch aluminum wheels Gloss black grille Black cloth seats with gray accent stitching Exterior decalsLatitude

　　Upgraded trim level includes many nice-to-haves such as:

　　Automatic headlights 17-inch alloy wheels Roof rails Body-colored door handles and mirrors Leather-wrapped steering wheel Upgraded driver information display Ambient LED lighting Upgraded cloth upholstery Tinted rear windows80th Anniversary Edition

　　Optional package on the Latitude comes with:

　　19-inch wheels with metallic gray finish 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation Black cloth seats with gunmetal accents Black headliner Upgraded floor mats Decorative exterior badgingIslander Edition

　　Another Latitude option that throws in:

　　19-inch silver wheels Dual-pane panoramic sunroof Hood decals and embroidered seats Unique seat tags and blue accent stitchingLimited

　　Compared to the Latitude, this luxe addition to the Renegade family includes:

　　Turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder (177 hp, 210 lb-ft) Four-wheel drive 18-inch wheels Automatic wipers with de-icers Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Power-adjustable driver's seat 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation Keyless ignition and entry (with remote engine start) Leather upholstery Upgraded driver information display Auto-dimming rearview mirror 115-volt household-style power outletTrailhawk

　　Off-road variant starts with most Limited equipment and adds:

　　Four-wheel drive with low-range settings 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires Unique exterior and interior accents Raised suspension Front and rear tow hooks Underbody skid plates Hill descent control Full-size spare tireMany of the features on the upper trims are available on the lower trims as options. Also look for the Luxury Group II package, which features:

　　LED headlights Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Renegade and the car in front) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Renegade News

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

　　

2021 Renegade Highlights

Trim: SportJeepsterLatitudeUplandFreedom80th Anniversary EditionIslanderTrailhawkLimitedSport

　　

Base MSRP	$22,850
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$148/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles