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The Renegade is such a car that the auto blogger in me was once very wrong. When the small Renegade was presented to the world public at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014, the result was a clearly negative shake of the head. A jeep on a platform that originally served the Opel Corsa and Opel Karl. Adapted for 4 × 4 drives, tailored for the FIAT 500x and now for this Jeep. No, a loyal petrolhead has to refuse such a thing. A jeep has to be archaic. He must?
Test: Jeep Renegade 2.0 Limited 4 × 4
Mum's Matsmobile
The first contact in the wild, so the parking deck of a shopping center, always follows the same pattern: astonishment about the size. Because the Renegade looks smaller on photos than he is. For a B-segment SUV in the ranks of Nissan Juke and Renault Capture, the 4.23 meter long Renegade has gotten pretty big. This is due to the corners, edges and sharp angles. A steep windshield, a steep tail, steep side windows. So really classic. The color-contrasting Jeep grille fits with the round headlights. In the wild nine out of ten test subjects expire the Renegade immediately.
Be the way you are
Robust optics, modern technology. A compelling mix that will be successful and it already is. The Renegade has become the best-selling Jeep within a very short time. The product managers did not get lost in a cheap price strategy. The Renegade is confidently priced in. The start for the little “renegade” is still within the framework of € 19.900 for the basic model. But who wants to combine the awesome design with front-wheel drive and 5-speed gearbox and then have a 110 hp engine toil when there are such fine variants as the Limited we drive with 2.0 liter MultiJet diesel, 4 × 4 drive and fabulous 9-speed automatic? Just.
36.320 € Fun Cube
There is a recurring discussion in this segment of “small” SUVs: "Do you really need all-wheel drive - or isn't front-wheel drive enough?"
The question is actually easy to answer: “Do you want to get stuck on the snow-covered roadway on the mountain in winter like your neighbors, the old stinkers who just ordered such a compact SUV with only front-wheel drive? Can you see it. An SUV always with all-wheel drive. Always. And especially with the small Renegade, because a jeep is a jeep and must remain a jeep. Ignore the temptation to save money. Really ignore them. Because with Jeep you didn't just put in a simple all-wheel drive, but made a little effort. Even if you don't use the “Trailhawk” variant, the “Active Drive”Delivered an effective all-wheel drive!
Jeep has given the Renegade a hang-on all-wheel drive with the Active Drive System, which is more complex than other “hang-on” systems. A “Power Transfer Unit” on the front axle can decouple the cardan shaft leading to the rear, the Jeep then only drives with front-wheel drive. This lowers friction and thus reduces consumption. If necessary, the rear axle is coupled in a matter of milliseconds. The difference to many competitors lies in the rear axle drive module. An oil pump and an additional multi-plate clutch are located here. This structure allows a preconfigured torque distribution depending on the drive situation. The power distribution is determined using the Terrain-Selec rotary switch. In auto mode, the jeep drives primarily as a front-wheel drive. In “Snow Mode”, 60% of the power is set for the front axle and 40% for the rear axle. In “Sport mode, the distribution rotates and 60% of the power goes to the rear axle. In sand and mud mode, the force distribution is kept constantly variable with the option of distributing up to 100% to the rear.
In addition, the Renegeda has a hill descent aid and the ability to use “lock mode” to fix the all-wheel drive in 50/50 mode.
The test car also had the “low version” of the active drive system. Here, an additional reduction ratio (20: 1) supports crawling over hill and dale while idling.
Genuine SUV
In the “small SUV” segment, the Renegade is the off-road champ. Even without the Trailhawk package, in which the ground clearance increases to 21 centimeters (vs. 19.8cm in the Limited) and the Terrain Selec system also offers the “Rock” driving mode.
Without wishing to conquer the Rubicon Trail, the 2 Liter Diesel with 140 PS is a sensible engine choice in everyday life between home, school and workplace. Combined with the 9 automatic transmission from ZF and the Limited equipment, the starting price for the small SUV, however, rises to a crisp 31.100 €. Even the large panoramic roof and the UConnect Navisystem and faster than you have activated the all-wheel, are about 35.000 € on the wish list.
That’s a decent announcement for a jeep too. After all, we are still in the “small SUV” class. A Jeep Cherokee with similar technology package and the new 170 PS strong 2.2 liter diesel comes on 45.900 €.
However, the small Renegade not only offers a lot of technology for the money. The space is not nearly as cramped as the term “small SUV” might suggest. On the contrary, the steep windshield and the steep side windows create a lot of space in the interior. The feeling of space is outlined fairly with what was once described as “middle class”.
Add to that the comfortable seats, the well and widely adjustable steering wheel and a trunk that is sufficient for four people. Of course, the knee space behind a giant seat in row one is restricted - but that shouldn't come as a surprise when the overall length is less than 4.5 meters.
And drives like a big one
The 2.0 liter diesel with 140 hp and 350 Nm growls violently, the soundproofing in the small Renegade is less than in the big brother Cherokee. However, the nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF and now manufactured under license by the Italians tries to maintain a pleasant level of noise. Lowering the speed, she relies on the power from the cellar, imperceptibly zaps the gears from 2 to 9 through the program, otherwise behaves in an exemplary manner and remains in the background as a diligent gear-changing expert.
The Nokian 18-inch winter tires (225 / 55) mounted on the vehicle can safely be exchanged for a few winter tires with more noise comfort after the first season. Rushing and roaring, they draw attention from the highway speed.
The fact that the steep windshield, the steep radiator grille and the whole car itself does not really follow the laws of aerodynamics, even that can not be completely hidden acoustically.
On the road, the small one convinces Jeep Renegade nevertheless in all disciplines. That he is also one of the big players on the terrain - a real statement! Because that a lifestyle car like the small SUV not only looks good on the supermarket and in front of schools, but also when digging in the mud, is the exception rather than the rule.
Archaic
Sometimes it's just the drawers in our heads that are really archaic. The little Renegade, which is not that small at all, is one of the best that money can currently buy in the SUV segment. This character face alone deserves 5 stars! The fact that Jeep has played with the myth of the brand at almost every point deserves sympathy. On the right the little Willys Jeep in the windshield, a spider in the fuel filler cap and a “No Step” embossing on the sill panels. The little Renegade looks harmonious.
He is what he is and he is good
Even if it is not produced in the USA, but rolls off the assembly line with its twin Fiat 500X in Italy, the Renegade is the coolest Jeep since the original Willys Jeep. An eye-catcher and a character head with convincing inner values. And if you secure the Trailhawk, you can safely follow all the other jeeps in the area. That's an announcement for such a “lifestyle SUV”.
If you want to put together your very own Jeep, you can do so with the price list from Jeep Germany do. But remember: Order a Jeep with four-wheel drive!
"If mom is into mud catching!"
Alternative to: Nissan Juke, Opel Mokka, Skoda Yeti
Match with: People with character and all-wheel drive
That convinces: Neungang automaton and the all-wheel drive
Jeep |
Renegade 2.0 Limited (LOW) |
| Motor | R4, diesel, turbo, direct injection |
| Capacity | 1.956 cc |
| Performance | 140 hp @ 3.750 rpm |
| kraft | 350 Nm @ 1.750 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic converter |
| drive axle | Selec-Terrain, Hang-On four-wheel drive |
| Length Width Height | 4.255, 1.805, 1,697 mm |
| wheelbase | 2.570 mm |
| Empty weight | 1.605 kg |
| turning circle | 11,1m |
| top speed | 182 km / h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 10,0 sec |
| standard consumption | 5.6 l / 100 km |
| everyday driver | 6.5 l / 100 km (diesel) |
| Eco-expert | 6.1 l / 100 km |
| Field service mode | 9.7 l / 100km |
| More about consumption: | That's how we measure on mab |
Test, text and photos: Bjoern Habegger
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