What We Like
Punchy 1.4-litre turbo engine
Quirky good looks
Compact size perfect for city driving
Plenty of useful safety features
What We Dislike
Steering lacks feedback
One of my fondest memories as a kid was hanging out at my aunt's place every weekend. We would watch television, play 'Crash Bandicoot' on her PlayStation, and do pretty much everything my parents wouldn't allow me to at home. To me, she was the definition of a 'cool aunt'.
Back then, my 'cool aunt' was the one relative I wasn't embarrassed to be seen in public with. She understood my prepubescent lingo and could relate to me in ways my parents couldn't.
Young and wild and free
In many ways, the Jeep Renegade is like the 'cool aunt'. It exudes a carefree, go-anywhere attitude that can't be found in its more serious-looking siblings in the Jeep lineup.
Unlike its peers, the Renegade is the smallest in Jeep's lineup and its peculiar design fits well in an urban environment filled with artisanal coffee, cafe hopping, flea markets and poetry slams.
Measuring in at just 4,255mm long, 1,697mm tall and 1,805mm wide, this city dweller zips through narrow carparks and tight alleys without ever breaking a sweat.
Back then, my 'cool aunt' was the one relative I wasn't embarrassed to be seen in public with. She understood my prepubescent lingo and could relate to me in ways my parents couldn't.
Young and wild and free
In many ways, the Jeep Renegade is like the 'cool aunt'. It exudes a carefree, go-anywhere attitude that can't be found in its more serious-looking siblings in the Jeep lineup.
Unlike its peers, the Renegade is the smallest in Jeep's lineup and its peculiar design fits well in an urban environment filled with artisanal coffee, cafe hopping, flea markets and poetry slams.
Measuring in at just 4,255mm long, 1,697mm tall and 1,805mm wide, this city dweller zips through narrow carparks and tight alleys without ever breaking a sweat.
Rugged at its heart
Inside the Renegade's compact exterior lies characteristics more akin to its siblings, with matte-finished plastics and rugged, off-roader-like accents such as a military-style centre console encompassing a 5.0-inch touchscreen.
Physical buttons surrounding the screen add to the off-road feel and allow for quick access to commonly used features. The Renegade's cockpit is where the off-road vibes are truly felt, with a supportive seat and a good vantage point that provides excellent visibility of the road ahead.
Also, a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster displays information prominently, allowing for quick glances without taking your eyes off the road for too long.
Inside the Renegade's compact exterior lies characteristics more akin to its siblings, with matte-finished plastics and rugged, off-roader-like accents such as a military-style centre console encompassing a 5.0-inch touchscreen.
Physical buttons surrounding the screen add to the off-road feel and allow for quick access to commonly used features. The Renegade's cockpit is where the off-road vibes are truly felt, with a supportive seat and a good vantage point that provides excellent visibility of the road ahead.
Also, a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster displays information prominently, allowing for quick glances without taking your eyes off the road for too long.
Fun with the 'cool aunt'
The Renegade may not look like it but under the hood is a punchy turbocharged engine that allows for some serious on-road antics.
Mated to a six-speed dual-clutch, the 1.4-litre four-cylinder powerplant puts out 140bhp and 230Nm of torque. That, coupled with its compact size, makes for a car that weaves through traffic and overtakes road hoggers with ease.
Fair warning though, the Renegade's steering isn't as sharp as other on-road crossovers and feels more suited for going off-road.
Time to get serious
The 'cool aunt' isn't all fun and games. When push comes to shove, the Renegade will give you a nudge in the right direction, quite literally.
LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus keeps you on your current lane and places the car back on track if it detects you're swaying too far out.
The Renegade may not look like it but under the hood is a punchy turbocharged engine that allows for some serious on-road antics.
Mated to a six-speed dual-clutch, the 1.4-litre four-cylinder powerplant puts out 140bhp and 230Nm of torque. That, coupled with its compact size, makes for a car that weaves through traffic and overtakes road hoggers with ease.
Fair warning though, the Renegade's steering isn't as sharp as other on-road crossovers and feels more suited for going off-road.
Time to get serious
The 'cool aunt' isn't all fun and games. When push comes to shove, the Renegade will give you a nudge in the right direction, quite literally.
LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus keeps you on your current lane and places the car back on track if it detects you're swaying too far out.
A host of other driver assistance systems helps keep an eye out for you so you don't get into trouble on the road.
Blind Sport Alert audibly warns you of other vehicles in your blind spot if you intend to change lanes while Front Collision Warning keeps you from rear-ending the car in front.
It even has a ParkView Camera to assist with parking in tight spaces. The one thing we weren't big fans of is the Hill Descent Control, which came on every time we headed down a multi-storey carpark ramp.
Paint the town Renegade
With its quirky styling and compact size, the Jeep Renegade revels in the hustle and bustle of an urban environment. And thanks to its punchy engine and fun driving dynamics, the 'cool aunt' promises to make every weekend worth the wait.
If you're one who prefers novelties to the mainstream, the Jeep Renegade might just be the car for you.
Blind Sport Alert audibly warns you of other vehicles in your blind spot if you intend to change lanes while Front Collision Warning keeps you from rear-ending the car in front.
It even has a ParkView Camera to assist with parking in tight spaces. The one thing we weren't big fans of is the Hill Descent Control, which came on every time we headed down a multi-storey carpark ramp.
Paint the town Renegade
With its quirky styling and compact size, the Jeep Renegade revels in the hustle and bustle of an urban environment. And thanks to its punchy engine and fun driving dynamics, the 'cool aunt' promises to make every weekend worth the wait.
If you're one who prefers novelties to the mainstream, the Jeep Renegade might just be the car for you.
