2023 Jeep Renegade

Aimed at younger buyers, the Jeep Renegade was introduced way back in 2014 for the 2015 model year. Although it’s been refreshed and upgraded with new features over the years, there’s no replacement on the horizon. Europeans can get the all-new Jeep Avenger EV, but there are no plans to sell that model here. But while old and small, the Renegade has a big personality. Boxy and bold, it manages to be both cute and rugged as it promises to behave both on city streets and in the wild off the beaten path. 

Meant to be enjoyed as a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle (front-wheel drive has been dropped this year), it’s a real Jeep, but in a small and more affordable package. Available in four trims for 2023—Latitude, Altitude, Trailhawk and Limited—all Renegade models come with the same 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (177 horsepower, 210 pound-feet of torque) and the same nine-speed automatic transmission. As you move up the trim ladder you’re essentially paying for extra creature comforts, and in the case of the Trailhawk model, extra off-road capability.

Compared to rivals like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos, the Renegade is no cookie-cutter copy. It has its own distinct styling, and despite being mechanically related to the Fiat 500x, there’s no doubt that it’s a Jeep. The family resemblance is strong, and the Renegade has off-road abilities borrowed from its larger siblings. When it comes to interior space, however, the competition has more cargo space than the petite Renegade, while passenger space is a mixed bag. Rivals also boast better fuel economy numbers.

The base Renegade model (Latitude) starts at $31,735 (all prices include $1,595 destination fee), followed by the Altitude ($32,535), Trailhawk ($33,635) and Limited ($34,040). As on the larger Compass, the most noteworthy model is the Trailhawk, which stands apart from the pack because it can actually crawl over rocks thanks to a 4×4 low gear with a 21:1 crawl ratio, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and skid plates. It comes with front and rear tow hooks, hill-descent control and can ford 19 inches of water.

This sport-cute was designed to be appealing to the eyes, both inside and out. The look and interior materials have been updated over the years, and the Renegade continues to come across as fresh and youthful despite its age. It feels roomy and airy inside, thanks to the large windows and great visibility all around. The only real negative inside is the backseat, which is even tighter than the Hyundai Kona’s. Despite its small size, it beats even some larger small crossovers on cargo space too, like the Nissan Kicks.

With the old Sport base model now dropped, the Renegade costs about $5,000 more in 2023 than it did in 2022, but it comes with more stuff. Aside from the standard 4WD, each trim has gotten more equipment in its various packages this year. There are also a fair number of active-safety features, including blind spot warnings, lane departure warnings and lane keeping assistance. Adaptive cruise control is standard on the Limited. Anyone in the market for a tiny, distinctive SUV with definite off-road capabilities will want to take a look at the Renegade.

Performance: 9/15

For 2023, every Renegade gets the same 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. The old 2.4-liter “Tigershark” engine offered in previous years is no longer available. The 1.3-liter turbocharged powerplant produces 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. The latter peaks at a mere 1,750 rpm, which helps the Renegade accelerate well from a dead stop. It’s fun to drive in the city, but the power output isn’t ideal for passing at highway speeds, where the engine can feel underpowered.

All models are sold in 4WD configurations, and a center stack dial with four traction control settings (Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud) is standard equipment. But not all Renegades are alike off the pavement. The Trailhawk gets an extra setting: Rock mode, and a host of mechanical upgrades. It also benefits from hill-descent control, which is not available on other models. 

The Trailhawk model, as the name suggests, is trail rated, which means that the transmission can be locked into low gear with a 21:1 crawl ratio for serious off-roading. It also benefits from a 0.8-inch increase in height, on/off-road tires, skid plates, and front and rear tow hooks. Its extra ground clearance and suspension tweaks also make for better wheel articulation, up to 8.1 inches. When properly equipped, the Renegade can tow a maximum of 2,000 pounds. That’s not much, but it’s enough for a small equipment trailer or pod camper.

Fuel Economy: 6/15 

Despite its small size, fuel economy isn’t the Renegade’s strong suit. Compared to rivals like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos, the Renegade model lineup offers an average fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city, 28.3 mpg on the highway and 25.3 mpg, combined, according to the EPA. 

The Trailblazer comes in at 29.6 mpg combined (all three mechanical configurations averaged, with 28 city and 31.3 highway), the Kona at 29.2 combined (26.8 city, 32.4 highway) and the Seltos at 29 combined mpg (27 city, 32 highway). The regular Renegades earn 26 mpg combined (23 city, 29 highway) but the Trailhawk only 24 mpg combined (23 city, 27 highway), bringing the average down. This isn’t truly terrible gas mileage, but in a vehicle so small you’d expect better.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 8/15

The 2022 Renegade comes with a full roster of airbags: driver and passenger, front seat-mounded side, front and rear side-curtain and knee (for the driver). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Renegade an overall safety rating of four out of five stars, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates it as good, acceptable, marginal and poor, depending on the crash test conducted.

Blind spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warning with lane keep assist are standard equipment on all Renegade models, as are forward automatic emergency braking and forward collision alerts.

Adaptive cruise control is standard (and only available) on the Limited model. Automatic high beams are available as part of the Limited Elite Group package, but only on the Limited model. The package also includes active parking assistance and parking obstruction warning.

Comfort & Room: 7/15

While the Renegade offers more front legroom (41.2 inches) than the Trailblazer (40.9), it falls behind the Kona (41.5) and Seltos (41.4). When it comes to rear legroom, however, the Trailblazer comes out on top with 39.4 inches, followed by the Seltos (38), the Kona (35.2), with the Renegade in last place at 35.1.

The Renegade’s front seats are comfortable, and with a tilt/telescoping steering column as standard equipment on all models, it isn’t difficult to find a comfy seating position. The manually-adjustable seats (standard on all models, except Limited) could be more supportive and ergonomic, which is why some drivers might find it a challenge to take the Renegade on longer road trips. 

The Renegade’s rear seats are roomy enough for two, but if a third passenger is squeezed into the middle seat, all bets are off. The rear seats don’t recline much, so longer trips can be a challenge for rear-seat passengers. The middle seat is hard and simply not designed to be used for hours on end.

Limited models get upgraded power seats with lumbar support for the driver as standard equipment. Power seats are optional on other models. Cloth seats are standard, although Trailhawk buyers can upgrade to leather as part of a package. Top-of-the-line Limited models get premium leather as standard equipment.

Infotainment: 10/15

An 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard on all models and comes with GPS navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (which works well), SiriusXM Radio and AM/FM radio. A six-speaker audio system is standard equipment, while a nine-speaker premium audio system (with subwoofer) is available as part of a package. A single USB port and an auxiliary input jack are standard equipment on all models, while a rear USB port is standard on all Trailhawk and Limited.

While the touchscreen’s graphics may look a bit dated to some, the Renegade offers a nice mix of digital controls and physical knobs to control volume, channel selection and to turn the system on and off. Furthermore, steering wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on all models. Ambient lighting is standard on Trailhawk and Limited models, but not available on other trims.

Cargo Space & Storage: 8/15

Compared with other vehicles in the segment, the Renegade has one of the smallest cargo holds, at least when the rear seats are in place, at 18.5 cubic-feet. Only the Mini Countryman (17.6 cubic-feet) and Fiat 500x (14.1) are worse.  The Volkswagen Taos dominates this class at 27.9 cubic feet but the Seltos has 26.6 and the Trailblazer 25.3. Both of those models are only slightly smaller than the larger Jeep Compass, however. The Kona is closer to the Renegade at 19.2 cubic-feet within, and an almost equal size on the outside of the vehicle.

With the rear seats down things are better, the Renegade has 50.8 cubic-feet of cargo space, the Trailblazer has 54.4, and the Seltos offers 62.8. The Kona and 500x have less at 45.8 and 39.4 cubic-feet, respectively, but the Nissan Kicks brings up the rear at just 32.3 cubic-feet. 

Storage space is limited in the Renegade’s passenger cabin. The armrest between the drive and front passenger has limited capacity, and there’s a small storage space in front of the gear shift, as well as in each of the doors. A slot near the cupholders works well as a cell-phone holder.

Style & Design: 9/10

In a world of cookie-cutter designs, the Renegade stands apart from other compact SUVs. Best described as both cute and rugged, its unique Jeep DNA is evident throughout. The Renegade is stout and muscular, and the wheels are pushed out to the corners in order to optimize approach and departure angles when off-roading, as well as to optimize on-road stability. It looks like an athlete, albeit in a small package. It’s old, but this vehicle has aged very well.

Inside, fit and finish is good and everything feels solid and well thought out. Even the cloth seats are nicely designed and the color scheme is pleasing to the eyes. The Renegade definitely has more personality than the competition, and can’t be confused as being anything but a Jeep.

Is the 2022 Jeep Renegade Worth it? Which Renegade is the Best Value? 

If a small SUV with a big personality, distinct looks and genuine off-road capability is important, then the Renegade might be the right vehicle for you. While the base model (Latitude) is available for $31,590 (including $1,595 destination fee), it lacks a lot of the features that drivers will find appealing.

By a country mile the star of the Renegade lineup is the Trailhawk model, which comes with an upgraded off-roading package for $33,540, including destination. As the off-road capability and Jeep ruggedness are the main draw of the Renegade, this would be our choice for the best value in the lineup. There’s nothing else this small that will perform like this off-road, at least not among new vehicles. Only Subaru’s Crosstrek comes close, and it’s both larger and less distinctive.

However, if off-road ability isn’t really that important to you, it’s hard to justify spending this much on the Jeep over the better-equipped, less expensive and more spacious competition from Kia and Hyundai.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Jeep Renegade? 

Insurance costs for the Renegade are on the higher side for this segment. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $1,925. The Chevrolet Trailblazer on the other hand, costs an average of $1,754 to insure, the Hyundai Kona an average of $1,833, and the Kia Seltos $1,788. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.