2020 Jeep Renegade Road Test and Review

A Jeep is one of the few attainable aspirational vehicles you can buy. And unlike some vehicles, whose popularity ebbs and flows with the times (see: Volkswagen Beetle or Chevrolet Camaro), Jeep never fades from wish lists. And thanks to the existence of the 2020 Jeep Renegade, you can buy one for about the same price as a decently equipped Toyota Corolla.

But should you? Based on a Fiat-sourced platform and mechanical components, and built in Italy for export to the U.S., the Renegade hasn’t put up the best numbers in terms of reliability. And in spite of decent EPA fuel economy ratings, in the real world, it’s not terribly efficient. Yet, the 2020 Jeep Renegade is just so darn cute and capable that maybe such considerations don’t matter. A strong showing in crash testing also helps, and you can option a Renegade to specific preferences in a way that you can’t with other small SUVs. Want to learn more? Let’s dig into the details.

Eight different versions of the 2020 Renegade aim to meet a variety of small-SUV budgets. They include the Sport ($22,470), Latitude ($24,125), Upland ($25,070), Altitude ($25,315), North Edition ($26,670), Limited ($26,840), Trailhawk ($27,990), and High Altitude ($28,835).

These 2020 Jeep Renegade prices do not include a $1,495 destination charge, and all are front-wheel drive except for Upland, North Edition, and Trailhawk, which include standard four-wheel drive. (It’s interesting to note that the destination charge for an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, also built in Italy by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is $1,295.) My Renegade High Altitude test vehicle had 4WD, extra-cost metallic paint, a premium sound system, a dual-pane panoramic power sunroof, the Safety and Security option package, and the Advanced Technology option package. The window sticker came to $36,110, including the destination charge. 

When I look at a Jeep Renegade, I can’t help but smile. Like a puppy, it exudes a curious and energetic personality, but this SUV won’t chew up your furniture. It’s got all of the classic Jeep styling cues: seven-slot grille, round headlights, trapezoidal wheel openings, and Easter egg Jeep motifs throughout. And Jeep offers four vibrant paint colors in addition to the usual drab shades of white, black, and shades of gray.

Inside, the Renegade isn’t quite as expressive, but it does have the requisite dashboard grab bar. Controls are laid out in a simple, intuitive matter, and Jeep uses many knobs and buttons to reduce reliance on the touchscreen infotainment system. The quality of the materials is what you should expect in a small SUV, including plenty of hard plastic surfaces that are easy to clean up. The top High Altitude model includes many soft and rubberized surfaces, as well as leather upholstery, improving perceptions of quality.

With a heated eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, the Renegade High Altitude offers a good driving position. The view forward is highly unusual, though, due to the SUV’s distant windshield, large curved windshield pillars, and nearly vertical side windows. It takes some getting used to but makes the Renegade feel much bigger than competing subcompact crossovers.

The front passenger’s seat lacks a height adjuster, but it sits high off of the floor, which means this isn’t a problem. Rear seat room is tight for taller adults, but children will be happy enough. My test vehicle had a panoramic sunroof with a sheer cloth retractable shade, and the cabin became uncomfortably warm as a result. Cabin storage is decent, with slots, trays, and bins carved into empty sections of interior real estate. Cargo space behind the back seat measures 18.5 cubic feet, which isn’t much. In fact, the only way a full-size suitcase fits is if you load it lengthwise. Drop the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat and maximum capacity measures 50.8 cubic feet. 

Equipped with the top-shelf version of Uconnect infotainment, my High Altitude test vehicle had Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a Kenwood premium sound system. The SiriusXM Guardian connected services plan also equipped with Renegade with remote engine starting, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices, a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa, and a new Family Drive Alerts feature that allows parents to program boundary and speed limits, and to find out where the Renegade is by using a smartphone app.

Offering sharp graphics, quick responses to input, and intuitive touchscreen controls, Uconnect is easy to use. The voice recognition system didn’t pass all of my test prompts, though. Separate stereo volume and tuning knobs help to limit screen interaction, and the climate controls are also divorced from the screen with the exception of the heated seats. 

Similarly, my test vehicle had every advanced driving assistance system Jeep offers for the 2020 Renegade. They are effective but lack the smoothness and refinement found in some competitors. Also, the forward-collision warning system issues an alert so loud and shrill that you might lose control of your bowels when it sounds.

Jeep offers a semi-automated parking assist system for the Renegade, but given its diminutive, shoe-box proportions, a standard reversing camera, and available front and rear parking sensors, this is unnecessary technology. If you can’t park a Renegade on your own, public transit might be a better option for you than private car ownership. Ignore this advice and know that if you crash this cute little Jeep, it will do a decent job of protecting you. The only downgrade is an Acceptable rather than Good rating in small-overlap front passenger protection, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

Jeep offers two different engines for the Renegade. My test vehicle’s turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder is a step up from the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder, even though it makes 177 horsepower compared to the standard 180 hp. And the reason is torque. Whipping up 200 lb-ft from just 1,750 rpm, it’s the torque that you feel when you accelerate. Once the Renegade’s turbo engine is in the thick of the rev range, it delivers satisfying acceleration. However, power delivery is sometimes sudden and unexpected, most likely a combination of the lag inherent in turbocharged engines combined with the nine-speed automatic transmission’s calibration. It can catch you off-guard, and since the 4WD system features a driveline disconnect system to improve fuel economy, momentary torque steer is common before power flows rearward.

According to the EPA, my test vehicle should have averaged 26 mpg in combined driving. On my testing loop, which included mountain driving and some off-roading, it got 23.6 mpg. Given the 12.7-gallon fuel tank, you’ll be stopping at gas stations every 280 miles or so. And the turbo engine requires premium.

Though it’s a crossover SUV, the Jeep Renegade drives like a traditional SUV. The steering is slow and vague, the ride is choppy and bouncy, and it's loud inside at highway speeds. I did find that the Renegade High Altitude offers a fairly flat cornering attitude, and grip from the 19-inch wheels and 235/45 all-season tires is good, so on-ramps offer some fun.

So do trails. Exit the pavement, switch to 4WD Lock, and a Renegade will scramble over hill and dale as you explore parts unknown. The SUV’s compact dimensions help, too. But if this is going to be a regular part of your travel repertoire, get the Renegade Trailhawk for its more robust 4WD system, added ground clearance, improved approach angle, and more suitable tires. With my test vehicle’s panoramic glass sunroof open and all of the Renegade’s windows down, Bob Marley & The Wailers emanating from the Kenwood speakers, and SoCal sunshine beaming down as I cruised north on Pacific Coast Highway, the Renegade’s sketchy ride and handling qualities didn’t bother me at all. In fact, they simply added to this Jeep’s jaunty, carefree personality.

For reasons that escape me, Jeep offers three small SUVs by interior measurements: the Renegade, the Compass, and the Cherokee. But the smallest and most affordable one, the Renegade, has the most outsize personality.

Given its status in the Jeep lineup, the Renegade competes against subcompact models like the Chevrolet Trax, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-3, Mini Countryman, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Subaru Crosstrek. The Fiat 500X uses the same platform and powertrains but is an entirely different kind of a crossover SUV. Of this field, I'd argue that the only worthy alternatives are the Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru. The rest are outdated, or undersized, or overpriced. And while the Jeep Renegade is rapidly aging, too, it has carved out a unique position for itself in the small SUV segment.

Should you buy a 2020 Jeep Renegade? If you want a brand-new budget-friendly Jeep, or you love the looks, or you need real off-roading capability in a small SUV, or you live at elevation and prefer a turbocharged engine, then I would say yes. A Jeep Renegade, though flawed, will prove perfect for you.

Personally, I like the Renegade’s quirks. So many modern vehicles are refined and tuned to the point that it’s hard to distinguish between them. From its design and driving position to the on/off torque of the turbocharged engine and the way it bounces and hops around on uneven pavement like a bunny, the Renegade may charm you. If you’re open to it.