2017 Jeep Renegade Review

Standard equipment on the Sport model includes 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, power windows and locks, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a height-adjustable driver seat, cloth upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a driver information display, and a four-speaker sound system with an auxiliary jack and a USB port. A Sport Appearance package adds alloy wheels and roof rails. The Power group adds heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors, cruise control and air-conditioning.

The Latitude gets the Sport package and Power group contents plus foglights, automatic headlights, body-colored door handles and mirrors, ambient LED lighting, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other equipment for the Latitude includes a rearview camera, the Uconnect control interface with 5-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice commands, an additional USB port and a six-speaker audio system. The Altitude package adds 18-inch wheels, upgraded cloth upholstery and vinyl door trim.

The Limited gets unique 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips, automatic wipers, full keyless ignition and entry (with remote engine start), dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded driver information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote engine start, a 115-volt 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 pass-through.

The off-road-oriented Trailhawk comes with four-wheel drive, hill descent control, a raised suspension, tow hooks and underbody skid plates. In addition to the Latitude's equipment it also has 17-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires, unique exterior accents, a full-size spare, an upgraded driver information display, premium cloth upholstery, red interior stitching and a removable cargo floor panel.

Most of the Limited model's standard features are offered for the Latitude and Trailhawk via option packages. Over and above that, buyers can opt for a package that includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, HD radio and Uconnect Access (includes extra safety features, a Wi-Fi hot spot and voice texting). Two safety packages are also offered. A Safety and Security package comes with a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert, and the Advanced Technology package adds a lane departure warning/intervention system, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, and forward collision warning and braking.

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 providing you opt for four-wheel drive.

The 2017 Jeep Renegade is offered with one of two available engines. The base engine, which is standard in the Sport and Latitude models, is a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.

Optional for the Sport and Latitude and standard for Limited and Trailhawk models is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. It is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. All Renegades can come with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive except the Trailhawk, which is 4WD only.

During Edmunds performance testing, a Jeep Renegade Latitude with 4WD and the 2.4-liter engine accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which is about average for a subcompact crossover SUV. Heavier by roughly 200 pounds, the Renegade Trailhawk recorded an average acceleration time of 9.7 seconds based on two different test vehicles.

Official EPA estimates for 2017 weren't available at publishing time, but last year the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and the manual produced an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined (24 city/31 highway) in both front- and four-wheel-drive configurations. The 2.4-liter engine with front-wheel drive was rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway), and the four-wheel-drive powertrain earned 24 mpg combined (21 city/29 highway). This is OK, though most rivals provide better fuel economy. And in a one-year test of a Renegade Trailhawk, we found that real-world fuel economy often came in below EPA estimates.

All 4WD Renegades have selectable drive modes for different terrains. The Renegade Trailhawk has a more advanced 4WD system that has enhanced low-speed off-road gearing and an extra drive mode. When equipped with the Trailer Tow package, the Renegade with 4WD and the 2.4-liter engine can tow up to 2,000 pounds.