New Jeep Renegade will be a small electric off-roader

• Fully-electric powertrain only
• All-wheel-drive to be offered
• Expected by 2026, following electric Jeep Compass

The Jeep Avenger was revealed in October as the American brand’s first-ever electric car, however, this is soon to be followed by an all-new electrified version of the larger Jeep Renegade.

Set to arrive by 2026, the new plug-in Renegade will maintain its retro aesthetic, however, it will get the brand’s latest technology and ditch petrol power in favour of a fully-electric powertrain. With the current-generation Renegade sitting as Jeep’s best-selling model in Europe, its electrified replacement will become a rival for the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric and Carbuyer’s Car of the Year for 2023, the Kia Niro EV.

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As you can see from our exclusive images, we expect the next Jeep Renegade to swap its current round headlights for a slimmer set of LED units, flanking a blanked-off version of the brand’s iconic slatted grille. Elsewhere, flush door handles will make the Renegade more aerodynamic and thus, improve range, while the overall shape of the car will remain the same, with a much boxier appearance than the smaller Avenger.

Peel away the somewhat similar bodywork and the new Renegade will be almost entirely unrecognisable compared with the car it replaces, as it will utilise parent brand Stellantis’ never before seen STLA Small underpinnings. The plug-in hybrid 4xe is the only version of the current Renegade to have all-wheel-drive; however, thanks to the STLA architecture’s ability to support power going to both axles, the Renegade SUV’s off-road ability looks like it will continue into the electric age.

We expect entry-level, front-wheel-drive versions of the electric Renegade to utilise a single-motor setup with 168bhp. Top-of-the-line dual-motor cars will not only be more capable off-road thanks to all-wheel-drive, but should be significantly faster, with an output of around 241bhp.

Details regarding battery sizes are few and far between at this stage, but to remain competitive, the Jeep will need a pack that can provide a range in surplus of 250 miles on a single charge. 

Of course, the Renegade is not the only new Jeep coming in the next few years. Speaking to our sister publication Auto Express, the brand’s chief designer, Ralph Gilles, admitted that Jeep is “currently working on 11 new models in parallel”. This will include an all-electric version of the larger Jeep Compass, expected to arrive by 2024.

Can’t wait till 2026 for an electric crossover? Check out our list of the top 10 best electric SUVs you can buy now