The new Jeep Renegade can do quite a lot for an SUV, especially a compact one. While it doesn’t immediately strike as an off-road vehicle and looks closer to a mix between a utility car and a family vehicle, it’s actually quite capable of performing in off-road conditions, according to Jeep. It’s not just a meaningless marketing phrase, either, as apparently the Renegade is actually designed heavily around the idea of providing a solid off-road performance.
This isn’t typical for compact SUV models, even if it’s one coming from Jeep themselves. Few other vehicles in this class are known for offering a good off-road performance, and it seems that Jeep are quite capable of offering a solid contender. In fact, according to statements by Jeep themselves, the SUV is fully capable of good off-road performance, as opposed to offering limited off-road capabilities.
Jeep have developed various special technologies for their off-road vehicles, and they are known for putting a lot of effort into improving the driving experience and making their models more intuitive to control. The Renegade reportedly features the “4WD Trail-Rated Capability” which Jeep have been developing very actively, which alone should say quite a lot about what the vehicle can do off the road. Various other features include automated assist systems that can help get out of tricky situations with minimal effort.
Of course, this is Jeep, so it should come as no surprise that they know how to pull off a proper off-road vehicle. The company basically built its brand name around this, and it’s good to see them experimenting with applying their knowledge to vehicle types that are traditionally not known for their good off-road capabilities.
It should be noted that those who’re excited to get their hands on Jeep’s new nine-speed transmission technology are going to have to get the 2.4 liter model specifically, as the 1.4 version will come with a 6-speed transmission (manual), without an option to exchange this feature between the two models. This is understandable, considering that the transmission could be tied quite heavily to the engine design, especially in a performance-focused vehicle like the one Jeep are apparently going for with the design of the Renegade.
Meanwhile, those who enjoy customizing their vehicles visually can lay their eyes on some attractive images from SEMA, where Mopar showed off some beautiful paint jobs and overall customization packages for the new Jeep Renegade. So, buyers who are planning to invest in a Renegade should also have a look at what they can do to the car’s exterior if they have a little extra money to spend – it looks like there will definitely be some worthwhile offers in this market.