2020 Jeep Renegade
| MSRP | $26,080 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $23,915 |
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2020 Jeep Renegade Review
- Trailhawk model's best-in-class off-road capability
- Agile handling when going around 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
- Some options and packages are now available on less expensive trim levels
- 1.3-liter engine receives mild power increase
- New remote smartphone app becomes standard later in the model year
- Part of the first Renegade generation introduced for 2015
Looking for a small SUV that provides some personality? The 2020 Jeep Renegade could be for you. For one, its baby-Wrangler looks immediately differentiate the Renegade from its anonymously styled rivals. And unlike competitors, the Renegade has real off-road chops. Four-wheel drive is optional on every trim except the off-road-ready Trailhawk, where it's standard.
The Renegade has practical strengths too. Its cabin provides above-average rear legroom and ample headroom front and back. We're also fans of Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system, which has plenty of features and is easy to use. There are a few misses, however. The cabin can be noisy at highway speeds, and the Renegade has a smaller cargo area than competitors. Those drawbacks aside, the Renegade is a thoroughly competent subcompact SUV. You can learn more about its pros and cons in our detailed Expert Rating below.
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. Getting 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 too. But most of these are optional, and many competitors come with these systems 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 4WD. 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?
The Sport is an inexpensive starting point, but it compares unfavorably with the rest of the segment given its lack of features. We think the Latitude is a better value — it adds a pair of the Sport's option packages as well as a handful of desirable features. You'll still have to beef it up with the Safety and Security II package and possibly the Advanced Technology package for a truly modern feel, but they don't add too much to the bottom line. We'd also go for the turbocharged engine. It costs a bit more, but the advantages in fuel economy and power are worth it.
Jeep Renegade models
The 2020 Jeep Renegade is a subcompact crossover sold in four primary trim levels. The base Sport is pretty bare-bones, so most will find the Latitude to be a good starting point. From there, you can move to the luxurious Limited or off-road-oriented Trailhawk, which is the only trim level outfitted with a four-wheel-drive system that includes low-range gearing. The Upland, Altitude and High Altitude subtrims add options and special exterior upgrades to the Sport, Latitude and Limited models, respectively.
Save as much as $3,015 with Edmunds
2020 Jeep Renegade pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Jeepster
2.4L 4cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$23,915
1 for sale in 20147
Sport
2.4L 4cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$24,121
1 for sale in 20147
Upland
2.4L 4cyl 9A
Edmunds Suggested Price$25,000
1 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Jeep Renegade.
Trending topics in reviews
- spaciousness
- interior
- comfort
- off-roading
- appearance
- sound system
- handling & steering
- infotainment system
- maintenance & parts
- fuel efficiency
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- climate control
- lights
- acceleration
- engine
- driving experience
- technology
- value
- seats
Most helpful consumer reviews
4/5 stars, Potential buyer
Eric B,
High Altitude 4dr SUV (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
I took a test drive and I absolutely loved the vehicle. It was all black (interior and exterior) with nearly every option I wanted. The engine was responsive while the transmission was quick to shift, maybe too quick. I had to watch the acceleration while driving the first mile or two.
I took the Renegade onto the freeway and cracked open the sunroof. This particular model have the removable panels. The car got up to speed briskly, but the sunroof, once opened, let in a lot of outside noise. If you purchase this vehicle, be advised you will be cranking up the volume on the sound system. The hood seems big, but that’s part of the Jeep experience.
The infotainment worked flawlessly, with a large 8.4 inch uConnect being easy to decipher. It has a fast response time. Seating was very comfortable, with the power leather seats making finding a perfect position easy. Looking around the interior, it felt spacious, even with the black headliner. The A/C worked well, considering I took the test drive during a record-breaking heatwave in Las Vegas.
Next, the rear seating area. I was able to sit back there with some room to spare. I’m 6’1”, and I was able to sit behind the driver’s seat with a couple inches to spare. There is plenty of headroom for everyone, front and back. So, if I ever need to sit I the rear (which would be rare, if ever), I could be reasonably comfortable.
I checked out the cargo area and found it to be more than adequate. There is a compartment under the cargo floor to store the removable sunroof panels (with a sleeve to put them in) which I found to be a great bonus. Going to Sam’s Club for a run would not be a problem for me.
Upon returning to the dealer, I took some time to look at the exterior in more detail. All the Easter eggs aside, I really like the look of the Renegade. The wheels were 19”, painted a granite color. It really gives it a polished look. Shiny and gleaming in the hot sun, it stands out quite well.
What prevented me from purchasing? The dealership. The car was discounted by “$5K”, but that was due to the rebate. They didn’t even bother to negotiate with me. While I was upside down on my current vehicle, the was no way in hell I was going to pay over thirty grand ($34K to be exact) for a Renegade that has been sitting on their lot for six months. This was even with their rebate. Jim Marsh Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram lost a customer.
I ended up finding the exact same Renegade with the exact same options at a dealer 250 miles away (Lake Elsinore Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram) for four grand less. They gave me a better rebate and took an additional $4500 discount. Oh, and I used TrueCar to get an additional thousand dollars off the price. With my less than perfect credit, I was still able to buy the Renegade for significantly less that what Jim Marsh tried to shackle me into.
I’ll be driving my new black Jeep Renegade home in the coming days. When shopping around, take your time. Do your research. Know the pros and cons of the make and model you want, read the reviews, take the car/trick for a real test drive and shop around dealers in the area. I saved over $8K off MSRP by being patient and sticking to my guns.
Thank you for reading this review and hope this was helpful.
5/5 stars, Love my Trailhawk
Kali,
Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
I bought this car a little over a month ago and I love it so far. It has better mileage than my last SUV and has much better and updated tech. The A/C is great and I have no problem with the handling or the speed, but it does take some getting used to. The best part is the exterior styling, the off road and 4x4 capability, Apple Car Play, and cool little Jeep easter eggs all over the place. I have 0 complaints with the quality of the interior and there’s plenty of head and leg room up front. The cloth seats are comfortable and UConnect Infotainment system is very easy to use. Price wise I got a really good deal on it and the only cons I have are the cargo room, the confused 9 speed automatic transmission and that the Infotainment screen goes blank in extreme heat but once the interior is cooled and the screen is rebooted, then all is well. That may need to be dealt with at the Dealership soon but otherwise I love my Renegade and am really looking forward to taking it off roading and am confident come winter that my Renegade Trailhawk will get me to where I need to go.
3/5 stars, Love the look, but leaves a lot to be desired!
Marissa,
Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Ac vents only in the front. This does not work in Tx heat. My kids are sweating in the back and I’m freezing up front. This car does not come with a spare!!! I guess I’m not used to that not being a standard feature. Not even a donut? I got a flat within the first few months and had to get the vehicle towed because I didn’t have a spare! Low acceleration and hard shifting and already have an electrical short in my running lights. Over all not super happy to pay that much and already have this many problems. If I did it over I would not buy this vehicle.
5/5 stars, Nice SUV
Kimberley,
Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
This subcompact SUV is roomy enough for my family. It has the head room we need. The back seats are roomy also with plenty of head room. The cargo area has plenty of room for groceries for my family too.
2020 Jeep Renegade video
2017 Jeep Renegade Expert Rundown
NOTE: This video is about the 2017 Jeep Renegade, but since the 2020 Jeep Renegade is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Looking for a great five-passenger subcompact crossover SUV? The 2017 Jeep Renegade might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
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 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
2020 Jeep Renegade
2020 Jeep Compass
Jeep Renegade vs. Jeep Compass
The Renegade and the Jeep Compass are two similarly priced small crossovers that achieve their goals in different ways. The Renegade is boxier and has a more expressive design, while the Compass is longer and has more conventional SUV styling. The Compass is also exclusively powered by the 2.4-liter engine; it doesn't get the Renegade's optional turbocharged 1.3-liter engine.
Jeep Renegade vs. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is the quintessential Jeep — a rugged body-on-frame SUV that can conquer just about any terrain you throw at it. Though the Renegade does come in an off-road-centric Trailhawk trim, it can't compete with the Wrangler's rock-crawling abilities. If you're sticking to pavement, however, the Renegade is generally more pleasant to drive on the street.
Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul
The redesigned Kia Soul defies typical classification: Is it a small crossover, tall wagon or both?. But there's no doubt that whatever it is, it's good. It is the anti-Renegade — all-wheel drive isn't even on the options list — yet all of its trims are well-equipped. We're also fans of the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which gives this small vehicle impressive performance.
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FAQ
Is the Jeep Renegade a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 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 27 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 2020 Jeep Renegade?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Jeep Renegade:
- Some options and packages are now available on less expensive trim levels
- 1.3-liter engine receives mild power increase
- New remote smartphone app becomes standard later in the model year
- 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 2020 Jeep Renegade a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 Jeep Renegade is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2020 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 2020 Renegade is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 Jeep Renegade?
The least-expensive 2020 Jeep Renegade is the 2020 Jeep Renegade Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $22,375.
Other versions include:
- Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $25,895
- Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $24,395
- Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $27,970
- Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $23,875
- Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $22,375
- Altitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $26,890
- Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $28,500
- Altitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $25,390
- Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $25,270
- High Altitude 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $30,495
- Jeepster 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $22,375
- North Edition 4dr SUV 4WD w/Prod. End 03/20 (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $26,670
- Orange Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $25,895
- Limited 4dr SUV (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $27,000
- Jeepster 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $23,875
- Orange Edition 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) which starts at $24,395
- High Altitude 4dr SUV (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $28,995
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), Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A), Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A), and Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A). For a full list of Renegade models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more