Judged on appearance and presence alone, there is plenty to like about the Jeep Renegade. This modern design features striking styling, a substantial, solid feel and a respectable amount of rear cargo space for its diminutive size. It also offers a nine-speed automatic transmission and a ton of upscale options, including up-to-date crash-avoidance technology.
However, it doesn't take long for the Renegade's charms to wear thin. For starters, handling proves cumbersome, the ride is choppy, front seats are uncomfortable and the view out is restricted. What's more, that fancy nine-speed automatic doesn't quite have its gear-juggling act together. It's reluctant to downshift, leaving the 180-hp four-cylinder engine feeling underpowered and sounding raspy. At idle the TigerShark engine quivers more like a spawning grunion, sending its vibrations through the steering wheel and into the seats.
The whole point of the subcompact SUV class is to bring together most of the usefulness of compacts in a smaller and more economical package. But the numbers don't pan out. Fuel economy was just midpack for the class, averaging 24 mpg overall.
Renegade’s up-level Trailhawk version can tackle some pretty wild country. Underbody cladding, a raised ride height, simulated low-range gearing and other traction tweaks make the Trailhawk surprisingly capable offroad for a car-based vehicle.
That trail-rated capability brings a modest penalty to on-road handling with more cabin noise generated by the off-road tires. The Trailhawk, simply for its more rugged looks, will likely tempt many.
In a near-fanatical and possibly tongue-in-cheek display of brand-awareness, miniature icons featuring Jeep's trademark round headlights and seven-slot grille adorn nearly every surface: headlights, taillights, speaker surrounds, even each side of the rearview mirror. "Jeep" is also woven into the seat fabric and embossed into the trunk floor mat. That's a lot of mileage from a four-letter word.
Emblematic of a globalized auto industry, the Renegade is built in Italy.
As an everyday ride, the Renegade seems not fully developed. It has a lot of potential but comes off half-baked. A better-executed powertrain, more agile handling and cushier seats would help a lot.