2018 Jeep Renegade Pros vs Cons

The 2018 Jeep Renegade is Jeep’s smallest SUV, offering a top-tier manual transmission and classic Jeep all-wheel drive to give you the off-roading ability that no other car has. Plenty of unique Jeep features are present in this car, and its unique size and shape make this a standout on the road.

What’s New For 2018

Jeep has decided to make some significant styling changes to the exterior of the Renegade, bringing it into the class of cars that look more futuristic than just practical. There will be some tweaks to the car’s front and back, particularly the contouring and the head and taillights. Finally, there will be some package upgrade options that were simply not available prior to this year. Most notable is the ability to upgrade to fully autonomous emergency braking.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Jeep Renegade – The Pros

1. Multiple Available Trims

The 2018 Jeep Renegade comes in six different trim options. The Sport trim is the basic model, offering all of the standard amenities that a Jeep has. The Latitude and Altitude trims offer more technology and comfort options. It’s recommended to upgrade to at least the Latitude trim for the interior options like air conditioning and the standard infotainment system.

2. Impressive Handling

Jeep has always made its cars handle well on and off the road, and the 2018 Jeep Renegade certainly fits that stereotype. Its handling on the highway at high speeds is impeccable, as is its steering on tight, windy roads. Whether you’re in the country switching between road and dirt or consistently commuting to work, this is definitely a car that handles well.

3. Powerful Motor

The base model of the Renegade offers a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that hits 160 horsepower. Upgraded trims and an optional upgrade on the base model give you a 2.4-liter, 180 horsepower engine. The base engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional upgrade to a 9-speed automatic. Both of these motors have the sheer power to help you climb those off-road hills.

4. Comfortable Interior

Jeep has generally focused on the rugged durability of their cars, and the interior of many of their vehicles feels a bit lackluster. The 2018 Jeep Renegade shows that Jeep’s designers have been paying more attention to their interiors. There are some nice little touches, such as the faux mud splatter around the gauges, that make this feel like an authentic Jeep. The legroom for both the front seats and the backseats is quite roomy, letting you stretch your legs out quite a bit or brace perfectly for the inevitable off-roading bumps.

5. True Off-Roading Power

Speaking of offloading, this car is definitely designed for off-roading. The stability of the entire car makes you feel fairly secure while going up and down large hills with extreme angles (though you still are able to get that rush from feeling like you’re overbalancing), and sharp turns on loose dirt are no problem. The off-roading experience has been thoroughly thought out in regard to the design of this car, though there are no sacrifices made for on-road driving either.

6. Clever Roofing Design

Many cars that are on-road, off-road hybrids have plain and simple roof designs. The 2018 Jeep Renegade’s upgraded trims have a cleverly designed glass dual-panel sunroof that lets natural light distribute evenly throughout the car without becoming blinding. The roof also has thick supports so buckling is unlikely, but still is able to keep blind spots to a minimum via clever design.

7. Interesting Styling

The 2018 Jeep Renegade is unlike any other Jeep you’ve seen - or any other subcompact SUV you’ve seen. Its exterior has the signature Jeep trappings, such as the seven-slot front grill and the classic round Jeep headlights. The taillights have an X struck through them, an homage to early WWII-era Jeep models. However, the rest of the exterior offers sleek and sexy lines. Contours around the four doors give the car a smooth look while maintaining a futuristic aesthetic.

8. Solid Safety Systems

The Renegade is an off-roading and economy hybrid vehicle, but this doesn’t mean Jeep has slacked off in the safety department. The roof and sides of the car are extremely reinforced to protect during rolling. The safety technology is decent in the base model, but upgrades include auto-leveling headlights and lane departure warning, extremely helpful pieces of technology for everyday commutes.

9. Large Cargo Space

For longer trips, you’re going to need a good amount of cargo space for your luggage. The base model of the 2018 Jeep Renegade can easily store three or four passengers’ luggage without a problem. With the seats down (assuming there are only two people in the car) there is even more space. The upgraded trims have slightly more space.

10. Easy-to-use Infotainment System

One of the biggest complaints many people have with current cars is the sluggishness and hard-to-use infotainment system. Jeep has perfectly designed the menus and software on their infotainment system to be fast, responsive, and intuitive. It’s also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you’ll be able to sync the console with your smartphone with ease.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Jeep Renegade – The Cons

1. Low Fuel Efficiency

The Sport base model of the 2018 Jeep Renegade only manages 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. You’ll get even lower fuel economy when off-roading as well. Higher-level trims with the more powerful engine get even lower fuel efficiency.

2. Only Fits Four

Because the Renegade is designed for off-roading more than anything else, the backseat doesn’t really fit the five people it advertises. Unless your fifth passenger is a child, you’ll truly only be able to fit two in the front and two in the back comfortably.

3. Noisy Engine

The base engine runs fairly smoothly, but the more powerful engine can be worryingly noisy at some points - particularly when you’re on dirt. Though it’s not too much of a concern, if you’re not used to the noise it might startle you.

How it Stacks Up to the Competition

The Renegade easily outdrives any competition in its class. Compact SUVs like the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 can’t switch among multiple terrain types like the Jeep can.

Conclusion

If you want an all-purpose car that can drive nearly anywhere you want it to, then the 2018 Jeep Renegade is the perfect choice for you. Its powerful engine and great handling make this comfortable and easy to drive.