Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Jeep Renegade SUV - Engines, drive & performance

The Jeep Renegade is excellent off-road, but feels vague on it.

Carbuyer Rating

3.3 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.4 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

3.0 out of 5

With more direct, responsive steering and a tighter turning circle, the Renegade could actually be quite fun to drive. But the MINI Countryman and Ford Puma are still the rivals to go for if you want a driver-focused small SUV. As it is, the Jeep offers plenty of grip, but not much in the way of driver fulfilment on road.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Things are put into sharp perspective, though, by the Renegade’s more off-road-focused four-wheel-drive variants. On rough terrain, those on-road handicaps are transformed into advantages. The heavily damped steering prevents harsh bumps being transmitted to your hands and its slow action makes careful low-speed manoeuvres easier. Despite these impressive capabilities, the Renegade doesn’t feel at all intimidating if you’re moving up from a regular family hatchback.

Petrol engines

The Renegade was originally launched with dated 1.4 and 1.6-litre engines, which were subsequently replaced with more modern equivalents. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre had 118bhp, while the four-cylinder 1.3-litre was available with 148bhp or 178bhp.

We’ve tried both the 118bhp and 148bhp petrol engines, which came with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes respectively. These are quick enough for most of the Renegade’s target audience, getting from 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds and 9.4 seconds accordingly. Elsewhere, things are more mixed. Both are quiet on the motorway, but can sound raucous at higher revs. More frustratingly, the engines don’t feel as smooth as we’d like, with a tendency to hesitate when you need their power.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

More reviews

In-depth reviews

When available, the 178bhp engine came with all-wheel drive (read our guide to the differences between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive), and was linked to the same nine-speed auto as the diesel. This was the fastest model in the range, hitting 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The latest engine in the Renegade lineup is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol mild hybrid, which Jeep badges ‘e-Hybrid’. This has 128bhp and can get the small SUV from 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds. It’s fitted with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox

Hybrid engines

Two plug-in hybrid 4xe versions of the Renegade were introduced in 2020, bolstering the power of the 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 59bhp electric motor. As standard the 4xe provides up to 187bhp but the Trailhawk and 2023 Upland Special Edition get 237bhp for extra performance. Petrol power is sent to the front wheels, while the electric motor drives the rear axle to provide four-wheel drive.

The Renegade 4xe feels comfortable to drive, with almost no powertrain noise in its electric mode, accompanied by smooth suspension and decent seats. The Trailhawk offers excellent performance and works even better off-road than the regular model, thanks to its extra pulling power. So far as small SUVs are concerned, only a Range Rover Evoque would be able to compete with the Renegade over difficult terrain.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

There's also a Sport mode but it's probably best left alone, because the six-speed automatic gearbox feels lethargic and holds on to gears for too long. With a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds (7.1 seconds for the Trailhawk), the Renegade 4xe is the fastest version in the line-up, but it doesn't really have the body control, steering precision or grip to make the most of the extra pace. It rides smoothly, however, and its electric motorway can happily get it to motorway speeds with no help from the petrol engine.

Jeep Renegade diesel engines

Jeep has now discontinued all of the diesel options for the Renegade, including the 2.0-litre Multijet engine with four-wheel drive and 168bhp that was available until most recently. You can no longer buy a 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel or a 138bhp 2.0-litre engine new. The diesel engine’s four-wheel drive meant it was one of the quicker models in the range, getting from 0-62mph in a reasonable 8.9 seconds.

You could only have the top diesel engine with the Renegade Trailhawk, which is by far the most accomplished off-roader in the range. It's nearly unstoppable with the powerful diesel engine and Jeep's nine-speed automatic gearbox. At the flick of the switch, you can engage special low gears that allow the Jeep to keep ploughing on in the trickiest conditions.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024
Best cars for winter
Best cars
10 Oct 2024

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

New Tesla Model 3 Long Range ups the ante with 436-mile range
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD
News
8 Oct 2024

New Tesla Model 3 Long Range ups the ante with 436-mile range

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024