Presentation and test drive Jeep Renegade 2018: small but spot-on changes

Jeep keeps updating its models at a rapid pace. In the case of the Wrangler it even debuts a new generation, so that we could test the latest additions to the Jeep range, the brand of the Fiat group gave us the opportunity to make a first contact with the new Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Renegade.

New look and new petrol engines

The brand’s smallest model is a real sales success, and no wonder, since the Renegade is not just another SUV: thanks to its four-wheel-drive system it is one of the SUVs on the market with the best off-road capabilities.

That said, the model launched in 2014 needed a tune-up to keep competing in a very dynamic segment. The main exterior change on the Renegade is concentrated at the front, with new LED headlights (shared with its big brother, the Wrangler) and a redesigned bumper. The rear lights also change, adopting LED technology and a very distinctive design in the shape of an “X“.

Inside, the changes to the new Jeep Renegade 2018 focus on its new touchscreen of up to 8.4 inches (with very smooth operation and all kinds of connectivity) and on new upholsteries and interior colours, the new light-coloured leather seats being very eye-catching.

New petrol engines, with the three-cylinder engine as the entry point to the range

One of the most important changes to the Jeep Renegade is the introduction of two new petrol engines, one of them three-cylinder, which replace the two previous units, decisively improving consumption (up to 20% less).

The new entry-level petrol engine in the range will be the 1.0 turbo three-cylinder with 120 CV and 190 Nm of maximum torque. It is the brand’s first three-cylinder engine and replaces the outdated 1.6 E-Torq as the entry point to the range, considerably reducing consumption and emissions. This unit is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive.

The other novelty is the 1.3 turbo four-cylinder engine with 150 CV, which is paired with the DDCT dual-clutch gearbox and will only be available with front-wheel drive. The most powerful petrol version is based on this same engine but with 180 CV; in this case it is combined with a nine-speed automatic gearbox (torque converter) and all-wheel drive. Both versions have a maximum torque of 270 Nm.

These two new units comply with the new European Euro 6/D standard, additionally incorporating the GPF (gasoline particulate filter), a filter we will see more and more in petrol engines. There are no changes in diesel compared with the current engines, which also comply with the new European standard.

As for the all-wheel-drive systems, the Renegade offers: Jeep Active Drive and Jeep Active Drive Low (the latter available on the Trailhawk version).

First contact with the Jeep Renegade 1.0 T3 120 CV

With increasingly strict emissions regulations, three-cylinder engines are here to stay. Not long ago it was unusual to see an engine of this kind, but today more and more brands use them.

The first Jeep to equip one is the Renegade, and at the national presentation we were able to get behind the wheel of the 1.0 T3 120 CV with a six-speed manual gearbox. The first thing we noticed on starting up is its smoothness and very low noise level, hardly audible at idle. As soon as we set off it has the typical feel of a three-cylinder engine and revs up smoothly but lazily, responding firmly above 2,500 rpm.

It is not an engine that stands out for its performance, although it holds its own correctly on motorways, but we must work the gearbox to get the most out of it, above all because at low revs it is not very agile. That said, in exchange it is quite smooth and improves on many similar engines from other brands that are less stable and less refined than this Jeep unit.

From 14,500 euros, loaded with technology

The Jeep Renegade is available from 14,500 euros (with a promotion and financing the car) in the Sport trim with the 120 CV petrol engine. In terms of safety, on top of the usual systems, the Lane departure warning plus and the intelligent speed assistance with traffic sign recognition come as standard.

To these systems, depending on the equipment level, you can add the forward collision warning plus with active braking control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. There is also the improved UConnect system, which allows full connection between your smartphone and the car.

The Renegade is also available with an attractive scheme – Easy Plan Jeep – from 180 euros a month, with a deposit of 1,494.55 euros over 4 years (with a final payment of 9,835 euros).

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadJeep Renegade4 versions · from 34,800 €