BLOG: Jeep's 1st Small SUV: Renegade Is Here

The now-Fiat-owned America legend brand that is Jeep has launched it's first ever small SUV – the non-conformist and alternative Renegade. And it's a slice of retro modernity cool, especially with its new dirty green paint job...

 

The bold and fresh Renegade is a lifestyle SUV, designed to take on the immensely popular Skoda Yeti, MINI Clubman, Nissan Juke & Mazda CX-3 types and we reckon it's going to be a huge hit – backed as it is by a brand with REAL off-roading credibility. 

Entry starts at £16,795 for the E-TorQ petrol or £18,640 OTR for the 1.6 Multijet diesel which are 2WD) and there's a huge 4x4 range that goes right up to £27,760 OTRfor the 170bhp range-topping 'Trailhawk' Diesel with a nine-speed auto box, or £26,360 for the range-topping 170bhp 1.4 Multiair limited edition with the nine-speeder. And there's 18 options in total: Impressive stuff. 

The strongly-branded "iconic seven slot grille" and oh-so-very Jeep front-end and body-protecting plastic rugged and cheeky good looks grabbed us straight away, as did the rear end, with it's funky boxy tail lamps clusters, complete with retro military gas tank design. Trick. 

And the interiors are loaded with cool tech, like the funky multi-function dash (with its mud-splattered redline rev counter, excellent visuals and off-road mode set-ups) and a very pleasant finish. It's light, airy and comfortable, yet manly (with its chunky buttons) and dynamic (with its modern, head to operate 6.5-inch screen tech). And it's practical – there's easily enough room for five and all their luggage, with lots of clever storage. We like. And we love the full-length MySky 'sunroof' which can be fully removed. Very cool, very on message and very on trend. 

Pick the top line Trailhawk and you get Trail Rated off-road ability and capability with standard Active Drive Low system, 1-inch factory lift, unique front and rear bumpers, skid plates and 17-inch off-road aluminum wheels with aggressive tyres as a package. And, as you would expect from a brand with the 4x4 credentials of Jeep, it's not to be sniffed at. It's not a Grand Cherokee or a Range Rover, but it'll kick the Yet's ass off-road on sand, mud, snow and rough terrain, that's for sure, and still act like a pleasant, easy to park, economical city life car too. And it'll get you from 0-62mph in 8.8s and do 122mph, whilst knocking back 40+mpg in petrol form and almost 50mph in diesel. That's the one to go for... if you can afford it. Then load it with Jeep's awesome accessory range, black stripe on the green bonnet and all, and you've got one seriously C21st crossover mini-SUV, right on the edge of the curve.

Bravo Jeep. And bravo Fiat! The Renegade rocks. 

See a LOAD more pics here.

UK Prices & range (RRP)

DIESEL1.6 MultiJet II 120 hp Sport 6 Speed Manual
£18,640.00

1.6 MultiJet II 120 hp Longitude 6 Speed Manual
£20,240.00

1.6 MultiJet II 120 hp Limited 6 Speed Manual
£22,840.00

1.6 MultiJet II 120 hp Opening Edition 6 Speed Manual
£23,140.00

2.0 MultiJet II 140 hp Longitude 6 Speed Manual 4WD
£22,610.00

2.0 MultiJet II 140 hp Limited 6 Speed Manual 4WD
£25,210.00

2.0 MultiJet II 140 hp Opening Edition 6 Speed Manual 4WD
£25,510.00

2.0 MultiJet II 140 hp Limited 9 Speed Automatic Low Range 4WD
£26,995.00

2.0 MultiJet II 170 hp Trailhawk 9 Speed Automatic Low Range 4WD
£27,760.00

PETROL
1.6 E-torQ 110 hp Sport 5 Speed Manual
£16,795.00

1.6 E-torQ 110 hp Longitude 5 Speed Manual
£18,395.00

1.6 E-torQ 110 hp Limited 5 Speed Manual
£20,995.00

1.4 MultiAir II 140 hp Longitude 6 Speed Manual
£19,610.00

1.4 MultiAir II 140 hp Longitude 6 Speed DDCT
£21,010.00

1.4 MultiAir II 140 hp Limited 6 Speed Manual
£22,210.00

1.4 MultiAir II 140 hp Opening Edition 6 Speed Manual
£22,510.00

1.4 MultiAir II 140 hp Limited 6 Speed DDCT
£23,610.00

1.4 MultiAir II 170 hp Limited 9 Speed Automatic 4WD
£26,360.00