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New Delhi: Jeep Renegade is one of the most interesting small SUVs that is sold globally, which mixes the Jeep’s practicality in terms of design and the amazing off-road capability, while also maintaining the compact dimensions for the urban drive. Placed right below the Compass in the global market, it is a great effort from Jeep to bring their rugged DNA into the city-friendly, lifestyle-focused.

The Renegade is, of course, not the usual SUV, and even though the Indian market likes SUVs, there would be doubts about whether it would pick up something this distinctive and lifestyle-car type. Plus, the heavy import and localisation leave little for it to thrive on, apart from overlapping with the price of the Compass. Still, it is a cool car and something worth having in your garage.

What makes the Jeep Renegade stand apart

Jeep Renegade has compact SUV dimensions but gets off-roading credentials

The Jeep Renegade isn’t like any other compact SUV, and it is a true Jeep that has been scaled down, made on the FCA Small Wide 4X4 platform. In many ways, it is a scaled-down version of the usual Jeeps we see and comes with off-road hardware, which most rivals in the segment just don’t have.

It comes with a signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps, boxy, upright stance and chunky wheel arches, which would make you think it is a Wrangler that has gone through a size-swapping procedure. Unlike other compact SUVs that move towards the sleek styling, the Rengade comes with a rugged, upright design. It comes with short overhangs, and its stance makes it feel made for off-roading. 

In terms of powertrain, globally, the Renegade comes with a 1.3-litre turbo petrol making 177hp and 210Nm of torque. The engine is mated with a 9-speed automatic and can be had as both FWD and AWD. In India, if it had a 1.0-litre or a 1.3-litre turbo petrol, it would have been just epic. Further, the 4X4 systems, it also come with Selec-Terrain modes.

Jeep Renegade interior

In terms of interior features, you get a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital driver display, dual-zone climate control, premium upholstery options and a fold-flat passenger seat for added practicality. Safety-wise, it comes with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, multiple airbags, rear camera and parking sensors. It measures in length at 4.2 m and could happily seat five people.

Why it would have been perfect for India

If it had arrived, it would take on the likes of Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Brezza. The Renegade could have acted as a weekend getaway Jeep, attract young buyers, and in some sense, whilst not competing, it would have come with the identity the Maruti Suzuki Jimny has to an extent.

It might have fallen between the price bracket of Rs 12 lakh to Rs 22 lakh, and coming as a compact SUV, with that strong turbo performer with off-roading ability, the Renegade is one car you do miss on the Indian roads. If Jeep ever does want to add anything to its Indian lineup, I would personally want it to be the Renegade. Having owned and driven a Jeep Compass for a long while, I know that the driving dynamics would be amazing and ownership, quite special.