- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.4T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
103kW, 230Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 5.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Jeep Renegade Longitude road test review
Jeep is a brand that only does SUVs. And, in-line with its heritage, its models have traditionally been built on its go-anywhere reputation.
But not even Jeep can ignore the urbanisation of the off-roader these days, and has joined the growing league of city-sized soft roaders with the Renegade, a car that breaks a few boundaries for the American car maker. It is the smallest Jeep ever produced. It is the most urban Jeep ever created. And it is the first Jeep to be built exclusively outside of America as it shares its underpinnings and is produced alongside the recently-arrived Fiat 500X.
What do you get?
The Renegade lives up to its name on a number of fronts, firstly rebelling against its rivals on the price scale with a four-model range that starts at $28,000 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Sport featuring a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission. That's almost $10k more than base-models in popular alternatives such as the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V, which in themselves carry a premium over the city-sized hatchbacks they are based upon.
The Sport is also offered with a more modern, more powerful and more efficient 1.4-litre turbo four cylinder mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic for an extra $3000. This is also the only powertrain option for the mid-spec ($33,000) Longitude we're testing here and ($38,000) Limited. Despite the Renegade's rugged looks, all the mainstream models drive just the front wheels but a range-topping Trailhawk variant brings added traction of all-wheel drive, additional ground clearance and specific bumper bars that increase its ability to get off the beaten track. It also has a 2.4-litre four cylinder engine and nine-speed transmission.
As for what you get for the money, all Renegade models have seven air bags, a reverse camera and a colour touchscreen audio system.
For the extra $1000 over the Sport with the same powertrain, the Longitude adds a few more goodies, such as larger 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitor and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.
An extra $5k step-up in price for the Limited brings leather trim, a larger multi media screen with sat nav, a nine-speaker audio system from funky headphone company Beats and power adjustable, heated front seats.
What's inside?
There's a little bit of Jeep wherever you look around the Renegade, which neatly transfers the funky and chunky exterior design inside its surprisingly airy cabin.
That's because there are dozens of brand references around the place, such as the "Since 1941" across the top of the audio system, the seven-bar grille and round headlights stamped on the side of the windscreen sensor box and all manner of X motifs inspired by the Jerry can moulded into parts. Some are subtle, others well hidden, like the WWII Willys Jeep ascending a rocky outcrop on the windscreen surround, while there are some that try too hard, such as the mud spattered across the instrument pod which is clearly trying to offer some subliminal hope that you're driving a 'real, go-anywhere Jeep' (when you're not).
In any case, the Renegade's dash layout is as functional as it is fashionable with easy access to the top-mounted multi media system, clear instrument panel, good hidey holes for small item storage and power outlets to keep mobile devices fully charged.
The overall quality feels good too, the front seats are comfortable - although they do lack support in the bends - and there's excellent forward vision through the upright windscreen and sculptured A-pillars that taper away in the right places to provide a clearer view.
The Renegade's tall-boy body style provides more than enough headroom for even the tallest occupants, while the rear bench has adequate space to suit young families.
Under the bonnet
The 1.4-litre four cylinder turbo petrol in our Renegade Longitude is bound to be the most popular choice among Australian buyers considering it is offered across all variants except the adventure-targeted (and adventurously-priced) Trailhawk.
It is also the most modern and efficient of the three engines, featuring the latest in fuel-saving technologies such as stop-start and Fiat's unique MultiAir cylinder head system to have the lowest average fuel consumption claim of 5.9L/100km.
Out in the real world, we found it wasn't too far off the mark either recording a figure just under the 7L/100km mark over a mix of city and freeway driving.
While it produces a respectable 103kW of power – which is right up there with the class leaders – the turbo charger gives it a greater spread of pulling power, with 230Nm on tap from 3000rpm. The net result is the Renegade feels quite spritely and fun to punt around town while it easily cruises at highway speeds and tackles steep inclines without too much fuss.
On the road
Considering the Renegade is primarily designed as a city runabout, rather than a rugged off-roader like other Jeep models, it drives more like a small hatchback than a conventional SUV.
The front-drive layout of the Longitude is part of that, and obviously limits its ability to head off the beaten track, but its tall body and extra ride height don't impede the driving experience by introducing the kind of body roll you'd normally associate with such characteristics.
Instead, the suspension is well sorted, offering a respectable balance between comfort and control although big bumps will be felt crashing through the cabin. The steering is light but reasonably precise, the brakes offer good modulation and feel through the pedal and the electronics only intervene at the absolute extremes.
The six-speed dual-clutch automatic does display some of the bug bears of its type, notably rolling back on inclines and hesitating to get away from a stand still, but it shifts cogs seamlessly when on the move and is rather intuitive when left to its own devices.
The combination makes the Renegade a surprisingly fun little car to zip around the suburbs and even through the bends.
Verdict
The Renegade is more of a fashion accessory for cashed-up urbanites than a genuinely affordable family-focused alternative to the growing league of city SUV runabouts. It ticks plenty of boxes in the way it looks and the way it drives and it's bigger on the inside than it appears. But it doesn't come cheap, and there are better cars in this burgeoning class for significantly less money.
2016 Jeep Renegade Longitude pricing and specifications
Price: $33,000 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.4-litre four cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 103kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 230Nm at 3000rpm
Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel Use: 5.9L/100km
The Competitors
Mazda CX-3 Maxx FWD auto
Price: $24,390 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol
Power: 109kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 192Nm at 2800rpm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 6.1L/100km
Our Score: 6.5/10
Fiat 500X Pop Star
Price: $33,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 103kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 230Nm at 2500rpm
Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 5.7L/100km
Our Score: 6/10
Peugeot 2008 Allure
Price: $30,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 88kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 160Nm at 4250rpm
Transmission: 4-spd automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 6.5L/100km
Our Score: 6/10