2023 Jeep Renegade
Overview
The Jeep Renegade is essentially the only choice for someone who wants a subcompact crossover or SUV with serious off-road capability. The Renegade Trailhawk earns the company’s Trail Rated badge thanks to protective underbody skid plates, plenty of ground clearance, and 19 inches of water-fording capability. In other words, it does everything a host of rivals look like they can do but actually can’t. That capability comes at a price, though, as the Renegade is more expensive than most of its competitors; the Trailhawk, for instance, starts at over $33,000. A turbocharged four-cylinder with just 1.3-liters of displacement propels every Renegade regardless of trim level and will never strain your neck muscles with its acceleration. It’ll get you to the mall or down the trails, though, and it does deliver reasonable fuel efficiency. That said, if you don’t frequent the muddy, rocky paths less traveled, then you might want to consider more affordable mini-SUV alternatives.
What’s New for 2023?
For 2023, the Renegade loses the Sport trim level, which means the Latitude is now the entry level model. The rest of the changes relate to revisions in equipment packages. Latitude models now offer a Premium Group–power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel and front seats, roof rails, windshield wiper deicer, and cornering fog lamps. Meanwhile, Limited models get standard adaptive cruise control; an available High Altitude Package (Granite Crystal 19-inch wheels, black badges, neutral gray grille rings); plus the new Limited Elite Group (LED lighting, park assist, windshield wiper deicer). Lastly, the Trailhawk sees the addition of the Trailhawk Elite Group and Premium Lighting Group; the former includes heated, leather-trimmed seats, power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, and a windshield wiper deicer; the latter includes the same LED lighting elements as the aforementioned Limited Elite Group. Detonator Yellow is added to the exterior paint choices.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Those who intend to use their Renegade to tackle rugged terrain will want the top-of-the-line Trailhawk. However, that model starts at over $33,000 and, apart from its enhanced off-road equipment, it doesn’t feel nearly as premium as other similarly priced subcompact crossovers. Instead, we’d choose the Latitude model. It comes with a host of desirable standard features that include 17-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, and upgraded interior materials. Those who want all-wheel drive can add it for $1500. We’d also upgrade our hypothetical Renegade with the Sun and Sound package (Kenwood audio system, panoramic sunroof) for $2595 as well as the Premium Group equipment (heated power front seats, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, windshield wiper de-icer, roof rails, cornering fog lights) for $2,195, which totals $36,130.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The engine bay of every 2023 Jeep Renegade houses a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder, which is neither refined nor particularly quick. The engine’s redeeming trait is the useful torque it develops low in the rev range to help the Renegade accelerate away from stops. It pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. While all-wheel-drive models can tow up to 2000 pounds, Jeep doesn’t recommend towing with front-drive versions. The Renegade is not intended to hustle hard, but it holds its own better than one might think. While the off-road oriented Trailhawk can feel stiffly sprung, the ride in other versions is generally composed and comfortable. Steering is quick to respond to driver inputs, and there’s less body roll around corners than you might expect from a vehicle shaped like a Christmas ornament. If an engaging driving experience is as important to you as it is to us, the turbocharged Kia Soul and Mazda CX-30 both offer better performance and much more fun.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA has not yet released ratings for the 2023 Renegade, though it’s safe to say they’ll remain the same as last year since the powertrain goes unchanged. For reference, the 2022 Renegade is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway for front-drive models; all-wheel drive drops those figures to as low as 22 and 27 mpg, respectively. With a previous all-wheel-drive model, we saw 29 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. Still, that falls far short of parsimonious competitors such as the Kia Soul and Nissan Kicks–both earning 37 mpg in our real-world test. For more information about the Renegade’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
As with the exterior design, the Renegade’s interior is made to appeal to the part of our brains that once created full-length dialogues between two dinosaur-shaped erasers. It’s filled with odd shapes, toyish trimmings, and small design surprises—such as maps imprinted into cupholders and the phrase “Since 1941” stamped into the dash plastic. Consider us amused. Too bad its chunky roof pillars make for significant blind spots, by far the most egregious in this class of vehicles. The Renegade’s seats have clearly been doing their yoga stretching exercises, as they have no problem folding flat to create a level load floor. But even then, the space is average at best. Limited storage pockets and the lack of a full-length door cubby up front make storage opportunities scarce compared with other vehicles in the segment.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Renegade’s infotainment system runs through an 8.4-inch touchscreen that supports the excellent Uconnect interface. Every system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Jeep also offers a more powerful Kenwood audio system on select models.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Renegade has an impressive set of standard and optional driver-assistance technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and a semi-autonomous feature that helps parking in parallel and perpendicular spots. For more information about the Renegade’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Standard blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Jeep’s warranty offerings are standard fare for the segment. However, the company does give all models three years of free maintenance.
Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years
Specifications
Specifications
2019 Jeep Renegade 1.3T 4×4
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$34,860 (base price: $26,515)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled SOHC 16-valve inline-four, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
81 cu in, 1332 cc
Power
177 hp @ 5750 rpm
Torque
200 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/struts
Brakes (F/R): 12.0-inch vented disc/10.9-inch disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle LS2 RunonFlat, 205/45R-19 95H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 in
Length: 166.6 in
Width: 74.2 in
Height: 66.5 in
Passenger volume: 98 cu ft
Cargo volume: 19 cu ft
Curb weight: 3538 lb
C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 9.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 31.7 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 9.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 17.1 sec @ 82 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 189 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.77 g
*stability-control-inhibited
C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 24 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 29 mpg
Highway range: 360 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 26/23/29 mpg
DOWNLOAD TEST SHEET
More Features and Specs
