By on 2024-07-08 -
Jeep Renegade - Used
Car Review
JEEP has always been known for its go-anywhere, rock climbing, heavyweight SUVs like the Wrangler and the Cherokee.
But a few years ago the company launched smaller models that were available with two wheel drive (2WD) and were also more comfortable and much easier to live with for everyday, on-road driving.
Thus it immediately had rivals for SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Puma, Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot 2008.
Chief among these smaller Jeeps is the Renegade, and although most available secondhand will be 2WD, 4WD models are available with some engines if you really need go anywhere traction.
The one thing that sets this car apart from most others in the class is its appealingly boxy, square shape that emulates its bigger brothers in the Jeep range.
There have been a number of additions and evolutions since the Renegade was launched, helping it to keep up with most of the opposition.
There has also been a wide choice of engines during the car's life and petrols start with a 1.0 litre turbo that has 120bhp. It reaches 60 miles an hour from rest in 10.8 seconds and is capable of 42 miles per gallon economy.
There is also a 1.4T petrol with 140bhp that covers the sprint in 10.6 seconds and can do 47mpg, and there was an earlier 1.6-litre with 108bhp that could do 47mpg. But its 0 to 60 time was a much slower 11.4 seconds.
Latterly , there was also a 1.3T petrol with no less than 180bhp and this one has 4WD with an excellent nine-speed automatic gearbox that takes all the strain of town driving with great ease. It gets to 60 in about eight seconds and is rated at 33mpg on the comparison figures.
Diesel models begin with a 1.6 turbo that has 120bhp and reaches 60 from rest uin 9.9 seconds while managing an excellent 64mpg.
Then comes another 1.6 called the MultiJet with the same power output and 0 to 60 time but with lower economy of 48mpg.
Top oil burner is a 2.0-litre MultiJet with 140bhp and this one comes with 4WD as standard and the option of the automatic gearbox. It boasts a zero to 60 time of 9.2 seconds and economy of 40mpg.
Finally in this long list come two petrol electric hybrids. The first is a self-charging 1.5 with battery and electric motor that produces 128bhp and gives 0 to 60 in 9.4 seconds, with 46mpg economy.
And then there is a 1.3 turbo plug-in hybrid called the Petrol Parallel with 190bhp and the automatic gearbox and this brings up 60 in 7.5 seconds.
It is rated at 134mpg as long as the battery is kept charged, and has very low 53 grammes per kilometre emissions. It can be driven about 25 miles on electric power alone.
In upper models such as the Upland and Trailhawk, this setup is boosted to 237bhp for extra performance. Petrol power goes to the front wheels, while the rears are driven by the electric motor.
All the Renegade models with 4WD are immensely capable off-road, with plenty of ground clearance giving good wading ability and tremendous mud plugging and hill climbing. This obviously also makes them excellent towcars.
On road comfort is very good in all of them, and although the steering is a little vague, handling and roadholding are otherwise well up with the best of the opposition.
Pay about £11,440 for a '21 21-reg 1.0T Sport, or £15,450 for a '22 22-reg Longitude PHEV 190 auto.
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