Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
The smallest vehicle in Jeep’s lineup, the Renegade is a subcompact crossover SUV that has been around since 2014. This is the perfect vehicle if you are interested in trying out a Jeep for the first time, but you are not sure if the impressive design and engineering of Jeep models is quite right for you. When looking at a used Jeep Renegade buyers guide like this, you want to consider all of the different options that you will find while shopping for used models. Choosing used vehicles gives you a tremendous amount of freedom while you shop, but that can become overwhelming if you do not have some guidance.
Since it was first introduced, the Jeep Renegade has been a very popular option and a great addition to the Jeep lineup of vehicles. While something like the Wrangler is legendary for its off-road performance, and the Grand Cherokee is often seen as the pinnacle of Jeep sophistication, there was something missing for a lot of customers. The addition of the Jeep Renegade means that you will find a much wider range of amazing used Jeep models to consider while shopping at your favorite dealership.
So far, there has only been a single generation for the Jeep Renegade since it was introduced in 2014 as a 2015 model, but there have been a few important upgrades since then. Before we get into those, however, let us take a look at what the Renegade has to offer in general and how it all got started. When the Renegade was first introduced, some people thought it might replace the Jeep Compass and Patriot in Jeep’s lineup. What happened instead, however, is that the Patriot was phased out, the Compass received a new generation, and the Renegade was introduced as a new, subcompact model to fill out Jeep’s selection of amazing SUVs.
When the Jeep Renegade first launched for the 2015 model year, it had two engines on offer: a 1.4L 4-cylinder that provides 160 hp and a 2.4L 4-cylinder upgrade that delivers 180 hp. As you look at used models, you will find both of these engines – and they were both available with all-wheel drive, though front-wheel drive has always been standard. That means you have four different combinations of drivetrains to consider as you are looking at different used models. There are two different transmissions too, but you will not find as many options here; the standard engine comes with a 6-speed automatic while the more powerful engine has a 9-speed.
The Jeep Renegade launched with four different trims, so you will find a lot of different setups and configurations out there. Here in the US, the Sport was the starting trim, which featured the 1.4L engine, a 3-inch monochromatic driver display, and dual air conditioning. Other features like a 5-inch color infotainment display and improved speaker system and stereo were available but not standard. From there, the Latitude was the mid-level trim for the Renegade, with improved features like the 5-inch color display and wireless audio streaming standard. The high-end trim on the Renegade was the Limited, which included the 2.4L engine, leather seating, and numerous upgraded features inside and out.
If you are interested in a used Jeep Renegade to take off-road, then you should look for the Trailhawk trim, which was designed for hitting the trail. The Trailhawk includes the 2.4L engine, red-finished front tow hooks, an off-road suspension, and underbody skid plates. These are Trail-Rated Renegade models that feature Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4WD and Selec-Terrain traction control that makes them perfect for dealing with snow, mud, and rock crawling.
In 2018, for the 2019 model year, the Jeep Renegade received a major facelift, so keep this in mind as you are looking at used models. While much of this update was aesthetic, there were also some functional changes that make it worthwhile to look for a used model from 2019 or later. The front and rear bumpers were redesigned for the facelift, and new LED headlamps plus a larger front grille gave the Renegade a more sleek and stylish look.
One of the biggest updates inside the Renegade for 2019 was a much more impressive infotainment display that starts at 5 inches and can range from 7-inches to 8-inches in size. The navigation system was also updated, and overall the functionality of the Renegade was made more modern thanks to this refresh. When it comes to in-vehicle entertainment, the 2019 model also introduced support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so keep this in mind when looking at used models.
Perhaps the biggest update for 2019, however, was to the engines that are available. While the 2.4L Tigershark remained as the standard offering, Jeep added an available 1.3L Turbocharged I-4 engine that delivers 177 hp and an impressive 200 lb-ft of torque. Starting in 2019, the 9-speed automatic transmission became the only one offered on every model, and a number of impressive advanced safety features became available.
While the latest model of the Jeep Renegade might not be the start of a new generation, it marks a number of impressive updates and new options that you should know about. You might not find many of these on the used market just yet, but more will certainly become available as time goes on. They are going to cost more since they are such recent models; however, so older ones from 2019, with all of the updates from that year, might still offer the best balance of low price and excellent features.
Perhaps the biggest update for the 2021 model year is the addition of numerous active safety systems to the standard features on all models. Every Jeep Renegade now comes with Blind Spot Monitoring, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, and Rear Cross Path Detection, all standard. Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking is also standard on every model, along with other great safety features like a comprehensive airbag package.
There are a number of special editions available for 2021, including an 80th Anniversary edition to celebrate eight decades of amazing Jeep vehicles. One great update is that the Sport trim, which is the starting option, now comes with a 7-inch infotainment display, rather than the smaller 5-inch screen that was previously standard. A larger, 8.4-inch display is still available if you want something bigger, but this means every used 2021 model has a great screen.
As you can see, even though the Jeep Renegade has only been available since 2014, during that time, it has already made quite a name for itself. Due to its popularity and the fact that it represents the only subcompact crossover in Jeep’s lineup, you can find a lot of these models when you are shopping for a used vehicle. Navigating all of the options available to you and getting just the right used Renegade is a lot easier when you have someone you can trust by your side to help you out.
Here at Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat, our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople are ready to answer all of your questions and work closely with you. We will help you look over all the options available to you, highlight the features on them and differences between them, and make sure you drive away in the perfect used Renegade with everything you are looking for. Call or come visit us at Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat today to learn more, and let us show you how easy it can be to find the perfect used Jeep.
