The Latest Compact Jeep is Italian-Born

The Jeep "Renegade" displayed at this year's Detroit Motor Show in January had a rather cute image. The colorful body colors and pop decorations (optional equipment) were different from anything before. Honestly, my first impression was that it wasn't very wild.

This is all because the Italian brands are subtly visible behind Jeep. I believe the distinctive front-end designs of the facelifted "Grand Cherokee" and the completely redesigned "Cherokee" are also influenced by this. Rumors have been circulating that the new Renegade shares its frame with the Fiat "500X".

The Renegade first appeared at last year's Geneva Motor Show. The reception in Geneva must have been very positive. It appeared before me almost exactly as I remembered it from that time. Its position is that of a successor to the "Compass" and "Patriot". The hardware for these two models is quite dated, so a renewal is due soon.

In that regard, the Renegade's internals are new. From the powertrain options announced to its cutting-edge technology, it's at the forefront of the times. This includes the frame shared with the 500X and the engine employing Fiat Powertrain's new generation intake control technology, "MultiAir." Furthermore, the 9-speed automatic transmission was adopted for the Renegade shortly after its introduction in the Cherokee.

The engines are a 2.4-liter inline-4 "TigerShark + MultiAir2" and a 1.4-liter inline-4 "MultiAir Turbo." The former is a MultiAir version of an existing Jeep engine, while the latter is a Fiat-derived unit. The 2.4-liter is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, but the 1.4-liter comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Solid Ride Comfort in the Downtown Area

Therefore, this test drive was limited to the 2.4-liter model. This is because a manual transmission is unlikely to be introduced in Japan. However, with the Japanese launch scheduled for around autumn, there's a possibility that it might be combined with an automatic or DCT by then. The performance of the 1.4-liter turbo also seems promising, so I'd love to try it if it becomes available.

So, how does it actually drive? The starting point for the test drive was downtown San Jose, south of San Francisco. From there, we headed north for a little over 100 miles to an off-road course.


My first impression on public roads was that the ride comfort is surprisingly good. It felt like a modern "premium" SUV, with dampers that kept the wheels firmly planted on the ground. Bumps from uneven surfaces were minimal, and body roll was suppressed to an extremely small degree.

Depending on the road surface, it might feel a bit stiff, but all the staff riding in the back seat consistently responded with "It's comfortable!" Well, I don't doubt them, but I'll examine it more closely once it's released in Japan.



While the North American market used to prefer a loose power steering setting, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I test-drove a larger SUV from Jeep in North America last year, and that too was quick. According to the developers, the market is now demanding this—.

How About Off-Road? Wilder Than It Looks

So, what about off-road? I forgot to mention, the grade driven on public roads was the "Limited." Other available trims are "Sport," "Longitude," and "Trailhawk." And like the Cherokee, the "Trailhawk" is the most capable off-road. It features dedicated front and rear bumpers to improve approach and departure angles, and a low-range 4WD gear to enhance its capabilities.

We drove the course on a long mountain trail in "Mud Mode" and a bumpy course with moguls in "Rock Mode." The operation of Selec-Terrain is largely the same as the Cherokee. The setup is likely quite similar, given that it's based on a FWD platform.

The evaluation here focuses on the approach angles. As the name suggests, the Trailhawk is well-equipped and can handle moguls and rock sections with ease. It's unlikely you'll scrape the bumpers often. Furthermore, the electronic torque distribution is excellent, allowing it to escape even with traction on only one wheel, as long as it's in contact with the ground.

An instructor guided the steering direction on the course, making it surprisingly easy to drive. However, with this level of capability, it should be able to handle quite rough roads. Its true ability is a wildness that belies its appearance.

Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
Body Size: Length 4,236 x Width 1,805 x Height 1,697 mm
Wheelbase: 2,570 mm
Tread (Front/Rear): 1,541 / 1,541 mm
Engine: 2,360 cc Inline-4 SOHC
Max Output: 185 ps / 6,400 rpm
Max Torque: 232 Nm / 4,800 rpm
Transmission: 9-speed Automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD
Suspension (Front): MacPherson Strut
Suspension (Rear): MacPherson Strut
Brakes (Front): Ventilated Disc
Brakes (Rear): Disc