2021 Jeep Renegade
| MSRP | $26,730 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $23,557 |
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2021 Jeep Renegade Review
- Trailhawk model's best-in-class off-road capability
- Agile handling in turns
- Plenty of easy-to-use technology features
- Lots of character with a classic Jeep look
- High price when optioned with nice-to-have features
- Base engine fuel economy is middling for the segment
- Small cargo area and tight backseat legroom for adults
- Boxy shape makes for lots of highway wind noise
- Many previously optional driver safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, are now standard on all trim levels
- Limited trim is now 4WD only
- New 80th Anniversary Edition, Islander Edition and Jeepster Edition models
- Part of the first Renegade generation introduced for 2015
We're guessing the phrase "subcompact crossover SUV" doesn't exactly send fire through your veins. Indeed, most of these pint-size runabouts are pretty dull to drive. But one exception is the 2021 Jeep Renegade. In a sea of competitors battling to be the most practical or the most fuel-efficient, the Renegade focuses instead on a more exciting driving experience.
Its Jeep Wrangler-inspired styling stands out thanks to round headlights and Jeep's familiar seven-slot grille. The short and stubby body also helps make the Renegade more off-road capable than rivals such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. There's even a raised Renegade Trailhawk version that comes with tow hooks, skid plates and a true low-range gear. But does that mean the Renegade overlooks critical areas such as comfort, storage space and fuel economy? Read our Expert Rating to find out how this sturdy subcompact SUV stacks up.
What's it like to live with?
We put 20,000 miles on a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and largely came away impressed. Yes, the short overhangs and off-road ability came in handy in the dirt. But we also enjoyed the cheery interior and extra-comfy seats that helped on long road trips. Check out our long-term test of the Jeep Renegade to learn more about everything from performance to reliability. Note that while we tested a 2015 Renegade, the 2021 model is of the same generation, and many of our observations still apply.
Our verdict | |
The Jeep Renegade is a fun little SUV with more personality than its main rivals. The ride quality is a little stiff and cargo space is lackluster, but otherwise the Renegade is pretty agreeable. Give it a shot if you want a small crossover SUV with character. | |
How does the Renegade drive? | |
The Renegade doesn't do anything particularly outstanding here. We tested a Renegade Limited with the 1.3-liter engine and four-wheel drive. Its 9.3-second sprint to 60 mph makes it on the slower side of average for SUVs in this class. But more broadly, there's enough power to make passing or merging on the highway relatively uneventful. Around town, the Renegade's brake pedal feels uneven and a bit mushy. In our brake testing it needed 135 feet to stop from 60 mph. That's longer than the class average. We do like the Renegade's engine stop-start system that provides near seamless restarts in traffic. The Renegade handles surprisingly well too. It's stable and planted in corners and easy and nimble to park. | |
How comfortable is the Renegade? | |
The Renegade's ride is surprisingly firm. You feel more bumps and road imperfections than you might expect from a small SUV. Our fully loaded test vehicle's 19-inch wheels are likely a big factor. A Renegade with smaller wheels (and therefore more absorbent tire sidewalls) should be more comfortable. At idle, the Renegade is fairly quiet. While we didn't notice any squeaks or rattles, there's a good bit of wind and tire noise. The turbo engine doesn't offer a particularly great exhaust note either. The climate control system works well, and our tester's heated seats and steering wheel worked quickly on a chilly day. The seats offer enough lateral support but feel a little too stiff and offer limited adjustment. Drivers who like to sit upright might find the headrest is angled too far forward. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Renegade's interior is open and roomy with plenty of headroom and shoulder room, even with the optional panoramic sunroof. Rear-seat legroom, however, is tight for the class. The square-shaped doors open wide, and the seats sit tall enough to make getting in and out easy. The thick windshield roof pillars compromise forward visibility, but the large side and rear windows, in conjunction with the big outside mirrors, make it easier to see out of the sides and back. The Renegade has easy-to-reach knobs and buttons with clear labels. Major menus in the infotainment system are all placed along the bottom of the screen and remain visible even with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration active. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The base Renegade's infotainment system is serviceable but lacks features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mid- and high-level models come with an upgraded system that's one of the best in the class thanks to better smartphone integration, a clean, easy-to-use menu system and a high-resolution 8.4-inch touchscreen display. Our test Renegade had two USB ports and two 12-volt outlets. The Renegade offers a decent number of driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. They work pretty well, but most are optional when many competitors include them as standard equipment. | |
How’s the storage? | |
With only 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, the Renegade is near the bottom of the class. The cargo area has a boxy shape at least, and the load floor is low. Up front there's a bin in front of the gear shifter that's great for your phone or sunglasses, and the door pockets are large enough to hold smaller water bottles. The main cupholders are awkwardly placed — they're too low and too far rearward for easy access. The 60/40-split rear seats fold flat and have anchor and tether points on both outer positions for child safety seats. Rear-facing safety seats might be tight, but most other seats should be fine. | |
How economical is the Renegade? | |
We tested the Renegade with the 1.3-liter engine and four-wheel drive. The EPA estimates that this configuration is good for 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving. But we fell short of that on our 115-mile evaluation route, getting just 24 mpg. That's disappointing since most other vehicles in this class either meet or exceed their EPA combined rating. | |
Is the Renegade a good value? | |
The Renegade is one of the most expensive vehicles in the segment, and the list of standard features doesn't reflect that price. Our Limited High Altitude trim model checked in at an eye-watering $36,110. Build quality is fine, but there's nothing exceptional inside and it feels like you're paying a lot for the rough-and-tumble Jeep styling. A three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is a bit skimpy, but the powertrain coverage of five years/60,000 miles is about average for the class. The five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance coverage is reassuring. | |
Wildcard | |
This is where the Renegade shines. Every trim, but especially the rough-and-tumble Trailhawk model, looks and feels cool. It's shaped like a small-scale version of the Wrangler, with exaggerated lines and features that give it both a cute and rugged appearance. While it's not especially fun to drive in most trims, the Trailhawk offers a decent amount of off-road capability that nothing else in the class can match. | |
Which Renegade does Edmunds recommend?
Check out the Latitude. It's a nicely equipped trim that gives you flexibility with additional options.
Jeep Renegade models
The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV with seating for up to five passengers. It comes in four trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. A nine-speed transmission is standard on all trims. All-wheel drive is optional, although four-wheel drive comes standard on Limited and Trailhawk.
Save as much as $4,743 with Edmunds
2021 Jeep Renegade pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Sport
2.4L 4cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$23,557
11 for sale in 20147
Jeepster
2.4L 4cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$23,847
13 for sale in 20147
Upland
2.4L 4cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$24,315
4 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Jeep Renegade.
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Most helpful consumer reviews
1/5 stars, Bought a Renegade this morning! Never again!
Ex-Jeep fan,
Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
This my 4th Jeep in a row, and the 2nd Renegade. No burning reason for trading in with only 68,000 mi. Maybe COVID boredom. I was so happy driving away in the new car... until it quit working after 10 miles. Had to be towed away by the dealer. My guess is the transmission failed. In spite of my years of loyalty, this experience makes me say I’ll never trust a Jeep again! So far, the dealership has been great, but I’ll have to wait and see what they offer to do about this. I want nothing to do with this car, even if it’s fixable. WTH!
5/5 stars, My Jewp
J’s Jeep,
80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
I love this car for the get up and go plus it’s luxurious with great interface screen
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Renegade safety features:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Alerts the driver when a vehicle is in the Renegade's blind spot. Also detects cross-path traffic while backing up.
- ParkSense Rear Park Assist
- Sounds warning beeps as the Renegade approaches an object behind the car while it's reversing.
- LaneSense Lane Departure Warning
- Informs the driver if the Renegade departs from its lane. Can also nudge the Renegade back into the lane.
Jeep Renegade vs. the competition
2021 Jeep Renegade
2021 Subaru Crosstrek
Jeep Renegade vs. Subaru Crosstrek
The Renegade and the Crosstrek are birds of a feather. Both offer impressive off-road ability in a small crossover package, with more comfortable interior space than you might think. The Crosstrek stands out because all-wheel drive is standard, and in our testing it easily reaches or exceeds its fuel economy estimates. Just don't expect thrilling performance.
Jeep Renegade vs. Mazda CX-30
The CX-30 isn't an off-roader, but it is the best driving experience currently offered in the subcompact crossover class. As we've come to expect from Mazda, the CX-30 presents excellent handling and ride quality. Meanwhile, its refined interior is a bargain for the price. Fuel economy isn't best in class, but it's much better than the Renegade's.
Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul
Hyundai and Kia thrive here. Hyundai offers the Kona and Venue, while Kia has the Soul and Seltos. All are strong contenders, but the Soul is our pick for adventurous types. It has an affordable starting price, with good cargo space and an optional turbocharged engine. There is no all-wheel drive, but the Soul is fun and practical in spades.
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FAQ
Is the Jeep Renegade a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Renegade both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.2 out of 10. You probably care about Jeep Renegade fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Renegade gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg to 26 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Renegade has 18.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Jeep Renegade. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Jeep Renegade?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Jeep Renegade:
- Many previously optional driver safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, are now standard on all trim levels
- Limited trim is now 4WD only
- New 80th Anniversary Edition, Islander Edition and Jeepster Edition models
- Part of the first Renegade generation introduced for 2015
Is the Jeep Renegade reliable?
To determine whether the Jeep Renegade is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Renegade. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Renegade's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Jeep Renegade a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Jeep Renegade is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Renegade and gave it a 7.2 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Renegade is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Jeep Renegade?
The least-expensive 2021 Jeep Renegade is the 2021 Jeep Renegade Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $22,850.
Other versions include:
- Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $26,335
- Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $28,700
- Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $24,350
- Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $28,700
- Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $24,835
- Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $22,850
- Islander 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $27,430
- 80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $27,615
- 80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $26,115
- Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $25,745
- Jeepster 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $26,245
- Jeepster 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $24,745
- Islander 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $28,930
What are the different models of Jeep Renegade?
If you're interested in the Jeep Renegade, the next question is, which Renegade model is right for you? Renegade variants include Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A), Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A), Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A), and Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A). For a full list of Renegade models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more