Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Of course there are, but none can trace their off-road roots back to 1941. Although to be fair, both Bantam and Ford built very similar utility vehicles for the U.S. World War II effort, simultaneously with Willys-Overland, the company that kept building them after the war under the CJ “Civilian Jeep” moniker, at least until 1953 when Kaiser and W-O joined forces to form Willys Motors, renamed Kaiser-Jeep in ’63, a company that was gobbled up by American Motors Corporation in 1970, until AMC fell under the partnership and eventual parentage of
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The real story here is a brand that’s seen as so valuable that every automaker wants to own a piece, and while it would be unwise to expect Jeep to continue under its current ownership for any more than a decade considering its parental track
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
In case you were one of those expecting Jeep’s less expensive Compass and Patriot models to be replaced when the Renegade arrived last year, think again. These sell much too well to be dropped altogether, the two having combined for almost 70,000 units in the U.S. and a less enthusiastic (per capita) albeit still significant 4,258 sales here in Canada over the first four months of this year, so Jeep
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Or at least that’s how its upright design makes it appear. In reality, while Trail Rated and therefore fully capable of mucking it up with the big boys, the Renegade is ultimately refined and near luxury-like when put beside the brawny JK (the evolution of the CJ, and no the “K” has nothing to do with any ode to Kaiser). It’s really hard to believe an SUV that starts at just $21,495 plus freight and dealer fees can be made to such a high standard, but it’s truly a sign of Euro-sourced
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Before I tell you why I consider the Renegade a premium compact SUV instead of just a run-of-the-mill economy model, my tester’s Trailhawk trim deserves some attention all on its own. First off it adds a rough and rugged look to the otherwise cutesy little 4×4, with a big matte black decal on the hood, thicker black cladding around its lower edges and wheel cutouts, an all-black roof top and side rails, plus cool red tow hooks front and rear. Bold red-painted Trail Rated badges join red drop-shadow-like
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Just in case you forgot you were driving a Jeep, the brand’s logo is attached in the usual fashion to the front-centre of the hood, plus there’s one on each wheel cap, tiny versions printed on the mirrors, and another large “Jeep” insignia stuck onto the rear liftgate, plus if you look closer you’ll find a little seven-slot grille and headlight emblem within the headlamps themselves. Open the front door and there’s the usual brand nomenclature on the steering wheel hub and one on each of its all-season floor mats front and rear, while a big digital “Jeep” graphic lights up on the infotainment screen at startup. Yet more grille and headlight logos can be found on the red-rimmed speaker grills front and back, the sides of the interior mirror
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
While I find all these cute little details interesting, the Renegade is superbly executed overall and filled with top-tier features in Trailhawk trim. Along with the aforementioned metallic red speaker surrounds,
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Additionally, the entire dash top and instrument panel to the halfway point is constructed of premium-level soft touch synthetic, while each door insert and side armrest is made from one fluid piece of nicely padded leatherette. To match the steering wheel the shifter knob is also leather,
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
This is just another example of how the Renegade could easily pass for a premium model, because you won’t find better quality switchgear in the majority of luxury brands, the vent actuators, the three dials that make up the dual-zone automatic climate
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The seats are excellent, incidentally, with superb lower back support, while Jeep incorporates true four-way lumbar support on the driver’s side, so you can add pressure
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
This, of course, is hardly the extent of the Renegade’s electronics roster, my tester
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Additionally, the heatable steering wheel is a nice touch in this top-line version of Jeep’s smallest SUV, warming quickly and providing heat all the way around, unlike some that only do so at the 9 and 3 o’clock
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with all this impressive luxury kit and premium detailing is a compact SUV that incorporates the solidity of a much larger luxury vehicle, that build quality most noticeable when closing its doors, moving its well-made seats around, and of course when taking it out on the road. It’s like a little tank; I’d call mine Sherman if I owned one, although this reference might give the wrong impression, as it’s way too agile at high speed for anything running on tracks. Really, you’ll be surprised at how much fun the Renegade is to drive, taking to corners with poise and precision and fleeing from standstill or highway passing with loads of gusto thanks to an energetic 2.4-litre four-cylinder capable of 184 horsepower and 177 lb-ft
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
One of these days I really must take the Renegade Trailhawk off-road as I am sure it delivers just as well where pavement ends and the trail begins, but so far I haven’t had opportunity. I’ve learned that the Trail Rated badge doesn’t come easily, however, any Jeep wearing it having scaled the punishing Rubicon Trail. I’ve driven that vertically challenging Lake Tahoe, California natural off-road course before, including Cadillac Hill, albeit at the wheel of a JK Wrangler, and that was impressive enough. This little Willys’ CJ-2A-sized Renegade is small enough that all of the tight corners I
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
There’s a lot more I could continue to go on about with respect to this fabulous little 4×4, but other than saying its considerable $39,420 as-tested retail price is reasonable when factoring in its premium-level attributes (the Trailhawk starts at $33,290), commending its as-tested fuel economy of 11.2 L/100km city and 8.0 highway (well at least it’s commendable for a well-equipped off-road capable SUV that can tow up to 2,045 kilos/4,508 lbs when properly equipped), and lauding its sizable (for a subcompact) 524 litres (18.5 cubic feet) and 1,438 litres (50.8 cubic feet) of cargo capacity with rear seatbacks respectively upright and folded, I’ll leave the rest for you to discover. The Jeep Renegade Trailhawk is certainly worth the time to do so.
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