2015 Jeep Renegade – Small Size, Big Capability

The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade is the brands first entry in the small sport-utility segment.

Combining a nod towards Jeep’s heritage with fresh new styling, the all-new Renegade should appeal to young, adventurous customers.

The Renegade looks like nothing else. The stance and proportions give it a powerful and aggressive look that sets it apart in this segment.

Competitors include the also-new Chevrolet Trax. Like these rivals, the Jeep Renegade is practical and efficient.

Its small size makes navigating city streets a breeze, but the Renegade is able to go places others in this segment can’t. Especially in Trailhawk trim, it is far-and-away the most capable off-roader.

The Trailhawk version boasts a higher ride height and standard off-road electronic aids including Jeep’s Selec-Terrain System with exclusive “Rock” mode. This allows the Renegade can handle the most challenging trails.

Unlike its Wrangler sibling, the Renegade is modern and comfortable on the highway. Its unibody architecture makes it quiet and nimble.

Customers have the choice of two engines. The base is a 1.4-litre turbo mated to a manual transmission. The optional engine – yet likely most common – is an advanced 2.4-litre four-cylinder mated to an efficient nine-speed automatic.

Inside, the Renegade is roomier than expected thanks to its boxy design. This results in good legroom in both rows and adequate storage behind the rear seats.

The two optional My Sky open-air roof systems let the outside in and provide an authentic Jeep feel.

Surprisingly, despite all its ruggedness the Renegade is available with many safety technologies usually reserved for luxury cars. These include blind-spot monitoring, land departure warning, forward collision alert – which can automatically apply the brakes in the event of a collision – and Uconnect Access that can directly contact emergency services if needed.

Tell us what you think about the 2015 Jeep Renegade. Does its blend of size, style and capability appeal to you?