New car shopping, thoughts on jeep renegade
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Purely self-observation based on a week long rental (Renegade Limited) for a 2017 model, the powertrain is really shoddy. The 9-speed transmission couldn't make up its mind in city driving, the engine is....best way to put it, anemic. I really like the infotainment system, interior quality is "middling" for me (for a $25k-$30k vehicle), but it is surprisingly roomy given the boxy shape. Depends on your priorities; for my $$ I'd go for a Jeep Grand Cherokee for more refined powertrain, better comfort, and you can find deals on them (even a pre-owned 2016 GC for less than a new Renegade Trailhawk). Again not to say anything overly negative about the Renegade but I wasn't too big of a fan personally. May be worthwhile to wait a few months till the 2018 Jeep Wrangler comes out, it could be a viable option around the same $$$ with (based on what i've read) far better capabilities/bang for your buck?
#4
The Compass, which now share the platform, is probably the better all around Jeep Mini ute. So unless you love love love the boxy Renegade styling, you may want to go with the Compass. I can't remember about the new Compass as it's been a few months since I was in it. But the Renegade a-pillar was massive, hampering some visibility. Power is definitely a bit lacking, as Wandl noted.
What price point are you trying to stay near? There are plenty of great cars on the market today. Just depends what your priorities are.
What price point are you trying to stay near? There are plenty of great cars on the market today. Just depends what your priorities are.
#5
Lexus Champion
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Please consider reliability and future headaches. Nearly all Jeep products rate at the bottom.
#7
Lexus Fanatic
I did a full-review on one when it first debuted.....here it is for reference:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...-renegade.html
But, if you don't have time for a long read, in a nutshell, I'll sum it up quickly:
PRO:
Boxy space efficiency.
Sub-compact size for easy parking and maneuverability.
Outward visibility.
Wide choice of both dull and bright paint colors.
Long 5/100 powertrain warranty.
Relatively simple control layout.
CON:
Potentially iffy reliability.
Substandard interior materials.
Relatively uncomfortable road manners (on a paved road...I did not sample it off-road).
Derived from a rather unimpressive Fiat 500X platform.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...-renegade.html
But, if you don't have time for a long read, in a nutshell, I'll sum it up quickly:
PRO:
Boxy space efficiency.
Sub-compact size for easy parking and maneuverability.
Outward visibility.
Wide choice of both dull and bright paint colors.
Long 5/100 powertrain warranty.
Relatively simple control layout.
CON:
Potentially iffy reliability.
Substandard interior materials.
Relatively uncomfortable road manners (on a paved road...I did not sample it off-road).
Derived from a rather unimpressive Fiat 500X platform.
Trending Topics
#8
Please avoid buying cry slur products
There have to be some good choices out there
Do you want to trust your life and those of your loved ones to the folks who "work" at cry slur?
We should never forget the cry slur auto workers caught on tape smoking dope and drinking malt liquor on their lunch break and how the union made cry slur re-hire them (after they were fired)
There have to be some good choices out there
Do you want to trust your life and those of your loved ones to the folks who "work" at cry slur?
We should never forget the cry slur auto workers caught on tape smoking dope and drinking malt liquor on their lunch break and how the union made cry slur re-hire them (after they were fired)
#9
Lexus Champion
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
What do you recommend in that size suv . I looked at the renegade this afternoon. Wasn't impressed with it. Wanting to stick with something domestic since that's the only dealers here within a hundred or more miles from me.
#11
Lexus Fanatic
The Renegade Trailhawk, despite its well-discussed drawbacks here, is an OK low-priced vehicle for going off-road. But, if you are going to do serious off-roading, the slightly larger Wrangler (the traditional Jeep), especially with the Rubicon package (named for the extremely difficult Rubicon Trail in California) is probably a better buy, though, like some other Jeeps, reliability could be an issue. And the Wrangler, especially with the ultra-stiff Rubicon package, is not very comfortable on a regular paved road. The Toyota 4Runner offers superb reliability (many of them go 300,000 miles if serviced properly), generally good off-road capability, a truck-frame for towing, and somewhat better comfort on the highway than the smaller jeeps, but may (?) be larger or more expensive than what you are looking for.
If you can wait a couple of more years, Ford promises a new off-road-capable Bronco by 2020, which will be somewhat smaller than the last 2-door behemoth that was dropped twenty years ago....GM has made some vague references to a new Blazer, but seems less-committed to the idea. The Bronco will (likely) be built in an American plant, if you want something domestic.
Last, one should not necessarily consider the Renegade a "domestic" vehicle. Though using the iconic American Jeep nameplate, it is, in fact, a reworked Italian Fiat 500X platform with a different body and interior......and Chrysler itself, who owns Jeep, is owned by its parent Italian Fiat Corporation.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-09-17 at 05:22 PM.
#12
Racer
Thread Starter
Looking for more of a regular driver. Going to get rid of the Land Rover lr3. Got back from vacation out in the southwest, and off-roading just wasn't as much fun as it used to be. I guess I'm just getting to old for that now. So figuring that I should downsize, and reduce my fuel costs. The lr3 is what I drive most often. So I need something I'm ok with driving I the rain and snow. My other cars I never drive in inclement weather. So if it's a more utilitarian vehicle. I seem to be able to rationalize it's ok to drive in those conditions. Otherwise I'm just way to **** about my cars. I know I got issues
oh, you want a good laugh? The salesman at the Chrysler dealer asked me "who makes Land Rover ?" I just simply replied Land Rover makes land rovers. I really hate car salesmen who know absolutely nothing about cars.
oh, you want a good laugh? The salesman at the Chrysler dealer asked me "who makes Land Rover ?" I just simply replied Land Rover makes land rovers. I really hate car salesmen who know absolutely nothing about cars.
Last edited by Coleroad; 06-09-17 at 06:42 PM.
#13
Lexus Champion
Unless you go off roading now and then, how about Ford Escape? Regarding Jeep checked CR? Only Jeep I'd drive might be Grand Cherokee. Too bad you are limiting the choice to domestic ones.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
So figuring that I should downsize, and reduce my fuel costs. The lr3 is what I drive most often. So I need something I'm ok with driving I the rain and snow. My other cars I never drive in inclement weather. So if it's a more utilitarian vehicle. I seem to be able to rationalize it's ok to drive in those conditions.
http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v
https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-3
Otherwise I'm just way to **** about my cars. I know I got issues
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-09-17 at 07:05 PM.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
The JGC, I agree, can be a real temptation behind the wheel.....it drives very nicely. Again, though, reliability seems to vary quite a bit by owner and model year. Some have been near flawless....others troublesome.