What is it?
On the face of it, Jeep looks to be on a bit of a roll. With a new range of electrified drivetrains currently in development and an all-new A-segment SUV just over the horizon, the American manufacturer looks perfectly poised to respond to an ever-changing and increasingly competitive sector.
However, if you delve a little deeper, past the optimistic ‘future projections’ and new marketing strategies, you’ll discover that Jeep experienced a poor 2017 in the UK. Its market share dropped a whopping 55% over 2016, with sales dropping from 14,090 to 6380 cars. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Jeep Renegade, with its reasonable price tag and UK-friendly dimensions, made up 4540 of these - more than 70%.
So, in effect, Jeep’s small SUV is keeping the show on the road. Hence the need for Jeep to treat it to a comprehensive mid-life update.
On the surface, the 2018 Renegade benefits from some subtle but surprisingly noticeable design updates. G-Class-esque LED headlights and tail-lights give the Renegade a slightly more distinctive aesthetic, while new 19in wheels and more aggressive bumpers apparently enhance ‘urban and lifestyle appeal’ – we’re not sure what that means either.
The most important changes, however, are found under the bonnet. Two new turbocharged all-aluminium petrol engines have been developed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with the aim of improving driveability and reducing emissions. The line-up is pretty straightforward: an entry-level 118bhp 1.0-litre petrol replaces the gutless 108bhp naturally aspirated 1.6 and a new 1.3 (available in both 148bhp and 169bhp configurations) replaces the 138bhp 1.4.
Join the debate
Add your comment
I dont think the star rating
I dont think the star rating is because its an awful vehicle, but because of Jeep UKs stupidly optimistic prices. For what ever reason they seem to think Jeeps should be sold at premium prices. Look at the US prices to see what they should cost. And at those prices this would be up against lesser machinery, and deserve a higher rating
artill wrote:
You make a good point because the Renegade is built in Italy for the European market so there are nil tariffs (at least for EU markets) and very low transport costs. But price or not, the Renegade is still a pretty poor SUV.
Jeep sold 75K Renegades in
Jeep sold 75K Renegades in 2017 in Europe....not bad for a two star car....
Americans crave quality
Many American car companies think Americans are happy to put up with cars that are frankly rubbish and that's why so many of them turn out that way. Unrefined, dynamically poor and cheap feeling. However the reality is that Amercians want cars that are up to the standards of most of the rest of the world and they get frustrated that most of their home grown cars are naff. Sure, this probably doesn't matter so much with pick-ups but when it comes to SUVs and cars, they want something decent, even if they have to pay more. That's why nearly all the top selling cars and SUVs in America are from foreign companies. Even the Ford Fusion suffers poorly in standards compared to the identical Mondeo, the latter of which is higher quality, more refined and dynamically more adept.
2 Stars?
I see 2 and a half.
Guys wait to you see the price, The old 1.4t was £24,270 for the Limited version, best make it 2 stars afterall