Used Jeep Renegade 2015-present review

Most used small SUV buyers aren't looking for a capable mud plugger. However, the Jeep Renegade is from a brand well known for its off-road prowess, so despite being based on nothing more rugged than a Fiat 500X, the Renegade is far more capable than most, and can even be had with four-wheel drive, which is a rarity in this sector.

Initially, there was one petrol option in the shape of a 1.4-litre in either 138bhp or 168bhp four-wheel drive form. In 2017, a mild-hybrid 108bhp 1.6 joined the range, before being replaced shortly after by a 118bhp 1.0. In 2018, the 1.4 was replaced with a 1.3 in 148bhp front-wheel drive, or 178bhp four-wheel drive forms. From 2020 onwards, a 237bhp plug-in hybrid with around 30 miles of electric vehicle range became available.

There have been two diesels available throughout in either 118bhp 1.6-litre, or a 2.0-litre in either 138bhp front-wheel drive or 168bhp four-wheel drive. A six-speed manual was standard, with a six-speed dual-clutch auto option on front-wheel drive models, or a nine-speed auto for four-wheel drive.

From 2020 onwards there were only three petrol options on offer: a 1.0 T3, a 1.3 Turbo 4xe 240 plug-in hybrid and a 1.5 T4 e-torque hybrid.

Entry-level Sport has air-con, a 5.0in touchscreen infotainment system. Upgrade to Longitude for heated door mirrors, cruise control, and rear parking sensors. Limited models add, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, front parking sensors, leather upholstery, sat-nav and a 6.5in touchscreen infotainment display. There is also the inclusion of forward collision warning mitigation and lane departure warning. A larger 8.4in infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity was added as part of the 2018 facelift.

Range-topping Trailhawk gets numerous off-road features, including hill descent control, reinforced underbody protection plates, and rear privacy glass.

Post-2020, trims were tweaked to include Limited, Night Eagle II, S, Trailhawk and Upland.

On the road, the Renegade is a mixed bag. The petrol car feels a bit weedy, while the 2.0 diesel is unpleasantly noisy. The 1.6 is a little smoother and performance is adequate if not spectacular. Alas, the steering is a little vague and inconsistently weighted, while the body leans right over in bends. Grip levels are moderate but respectable, while the handling, if distinctly agricultural in feel, is at least safe and secure. The ride, too, is rather old-fashioned, although it never threatens to get too out of control, while refinement is definitely from the old school, with plenty of road and wind noise.

Inside, things start off well, with a good driving position and logically placed controls, but visibility to the rear is hampered by the large rear pillars and interior quality is noticeably inferior to its more mainstream rivals.

Things are better when it comes to space, with plenty of room up front, as well as good leg and head room for two rear passengers, although three abreast will be cramped, and the seats don't slide for either more knee room or luggage capacity as they do in the Renault Captur. The boot is usefully shaped and at least the same size of those in its competitors, although the plug-in hybrid model has a slightly smaller load area.

If you're interested in finding a used Renegade, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Prices for an earlier Renegade start at around £7000 for a 2015 example with above-average mileage. Up the ante to between £10,000 and £12,000 and you’ll have your choice of good 2017 cars with average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought from an independent or franchised dealership. Expect to pay £14,500 or more for a facelifted Renegade from late 2018 or early 2019; between £15,000 and £20,000 on good 2020 cars, and a little more for the 2021 model. Prices for the plug-in hybrid start from £25,000.

Check the value of a used Jeep Renegade with What Car? Valuations

MPG

Naturally, front-wheel-drive cars are more economical than their four-wheel-drive counterparts. On paper, the best performer is the 1.6 diesel, with a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 64.2mpg, according to the older NEDC tests that were prevalent when the car was launched. The larger 2.0 diesel gets 48.7mpg in 148bhp form, or 47.9mpg in its more potent 168bhp guise.

Petrol versions started out with the 1.4 that got 47.1mpg in 138bhp form, or 40.9mpg when paired with four-wheel drive. A 1.6 petrol was briefly offered and mild-hybrid technology helped it to get a figure of 47.1mpg, while both the 1.0-litre and 148bhp 1.3 petrols that arrived in 2018 get 42.2mpg. The four-wheel drive equipped 1.3 petrol only gets 33.6mpg.

None can surpass the plug-in hybrid's 128.4mpg, but that would require regular charging and sparing use of the engine to achieve.

Under the later, tougher WLTP testing regime the 1.0 T3 averaged 44.1mpg, the 1.3 Turbo 4xe 141.2mpg and the 1.5 T4 49.5mpg.

CO2 emissions

We're concentrating on the engines that you could get before April 2017 (see car tax section), and the lowest CO2 emissions came from the 1.6 diesel with 115g/km. There's only a slight CO2 penalty for going for the 168bhp 2.0 diesel that emits 155g/km over the 150g/km emitted by the 138bhp 2.0.

The front-wheel-drive 1.4 puts out 140g/km, while the four-wheel-drive version puts out 160g/km.

Road tax (VED)

Tax will be based on CO2 emissions for cars registered before April 2017 and will be at the flat rate for those registered after that date. This is currently £155 a year. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here for further information.

Servicing

Servicing will be more expensive than some rivals, but there are plenty of garages that will take work on since underneath the car are Fiat parts.

Engine

The 1.6 diesel isn’t as quick as the 2.0 diesel, but it’s a heck of a lot more refined, as well as being more economical than the petrol option, so that’s the one we’d choose.

Specification

As far as trims go, we’d keep the used car cost down by seeking out the Sport version, which has all the equipment you could reasonably want or need.

Our favourite Jeep Renegade 1.6 Multijet Sport

The Fiat 500X shares much of its underpinnings with the Renegade, but is actually cheaper to buy both new and used. It’s spacious and practical, even if it’s not the last word in handling finesse.

The Skoda Yeti is one of our favourite cars in this class, being spacious, practical, good to drive and reasonably cheap to buy and to run. It's distinctive to look at, too.

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