Thinking of buying a used Jeep Renegade?
The style of the car
The Jeep Renegade is an SUV which manages to combine the rugged looks of an off-roader with the smaller size of a family hatchback, making it easier to drive on the road. It’s five-door body and roomy interior make it a good family car choice. All versions look tough and purposeful, but the top-of-the-range Trailhawk comes with bigger wheels and bold body graphics.
How it drives
With it’s high driving position, good visibility and compact dimensions, the Renegade is an easy car to drive. Light steering also makes it easy to park. There’s a choice of two and four-wheel drive, both of which are comfortable on the road, easily handling bumps. The petrol and diesel engines feel responsive on the move, while four-wheel drive models are brilliant off-road. They’re also a great choice for towing.
The interior
The five-seat Renegade is a similar size to a family hatchback making it a roomy and practical choice. There’s plenty of headroom and only very tall passengers will struggle with the legroom in the back. The boot is roomy and there’s easily enough space for three medium-sized suitcases.
A well designed dashboard puts the controls within easy reach, while even entry-level Sport models include air con and Bluetooth connectivity. Longitude brings a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, while the Trailhawk features a more sophisticated four-wheel drive for serious off-roading.
Running costs and reliability
The Renegade is similarly priced to rivals, yet has more standard equipment across the range. All engines deliver good fuel economy, but the diesels are the most efficient. Road tax bills are similarly affordable to rivals as are insurance premiums, while pre-paid servicing plans are available to further reduce costs.
Jeep has a strong reputation for durability and cars from 2018 onward have a five-year warranty. The Renegade is a safe car and its three star Euro NCAP score simply reflects that it doesn’t have automatic emergency braking as standard.
How it compares with similar cars
The Renegade is the entry-point to Jeep ownership, being smaller than the more expensive Cherokee. The Renegade is a more stylish choice than the Skoda Yeti and Suzuki Vitara. The four-wheel drive versions are also much more capable off-road than its rivals, which is highlighted by the Renegade being handed the Best Small SUV award by 4x4 Magazine.
