The (RED) brand fits under the umbrella of the Global Fund which started with the goal of raising awareness and funds to help with HIV and other infectious diseases.
There have been many companies included in the (RED) initiative including Nike, Apple, and Starbucks and now there is a new partnership from Stellantis carmakers Fiat, Ram, and Jeep.
Stellantis includes many car manufacturers in its growing empire and this trio of brands will help to deliver $4 million over the next three years to help the fight against pandemics, through special-edition (RED) models.
We take a look at the 2022 Jeep Renegade Red Edition, a car that sits at the bottom of the Jeep range but offers many benefits inherent in a crossover with a modern powertrain.
The 2022 Jeep Renegade (RED) Edition Is Small, Powerful, And Not Necessarily Red
This isn’t Jeep’s first (RED) car, the Renegade follows the Compass and will join the little Fiat 500 and RAM 1500 (RED) editions.
On Jeep’s online Renegade configurator, we can see the prices starting at $30,000 for a Renegade (RED), about $1000 more than the Latitude on which it is based, a middle-tier trim in the lineup.
Changes for the special version are small but meaningful, it’s more about the donation being passed on to the less fortunate than the amount of extra equipment added.
In fact, the changes are limited to decals and red speaker and air vent covers really, but luckily, the rest of the car speaks for itself.
Jeep’s Renegade Is A Capable Little 4x4 With Cute Styling
The great 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder powertrain exists here with the 9-speed automatic gearbox, which makes economical driving possible despite the transmission’s bad press.
Also, the Renegade’s engine itself is powerful for its size – at 170 hp and 210 lb-ft it makes enough power for off-road-style trips and more than the old 2.4liter naturally-aspirated engines, the power goes to an all-wheel-drive drivetrain.
Prices for the Renegade start at $24,000 and go up to almost $31,000 for the Limited orTrailhawk, but all versions of this car now get the same transmission as the one seen here – fuel economy is at 24 MPG combined for the all-wheel-drive models and 27 MPG combined for the front-wheel-drive models – 4-wheel-drive can be optioned if it isn’t already included.
Luckily, the (RED) edition already comes with 4x4 ability and 19” graphite wheels, plus the large 8.4” infotainment screen.
The 2022 Jeep Renegade Isn’t Necessarily The Best Value For Money Either
With the torquey engine and reasonable fuel economy, the Renegade when optioned with all-wheel-drive is one of the more capable crossovers out there, being able to actually tackle more challenging paths than many road-based 4x4s.
It doesn’t have a wealth of features focused on off-roading though but the Trailhawk trail-rated model is best suited for the most difficult of terrain that you might consider throwing at a Renegade.
That car starts at nearly $31,000 and includes 17” wheels, all-season off/on-road tires, uprated suspension and ride-height, skid plates and other protection, and a crawl mode, amongst other things.
It isn’t a completely different car, but the raft of small changes made could make the difference between the Renegade getting stuck and getting home.
Jeep’s Compass Is The Biggest Problem With The Renegade
Potentially, the biggest problem with getting a Renegade is that you could just go and get a bigger Compass instead, which starts at $26,000 and goes up to $35,000.
On Jeep's Compass configurator, for the same price as a Renegade (RED) you can get a Compass in the Latitude trim spec with $1000 to spare – in that trim, the Compass has a 2.4-liter engine with 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque and a reliable 6-speed automatic transmission but here only front-wheel-drive is present.
You can still get a (RED) version though, but the price jumps up to $35,000; though you do get more car for your money, and it’s this SUV that we would get if the $4000 extra isn’t a deal-breaker.
In the almost-top-spec (RED) Compass (the highest trim Altitude costs $1000 more) you get all-wheel-drive, great looking red paint, 19” wheels, a large 10.1” display, and that 2.4-liter engine but this time with the 9-speed auto from the Renegade.
If it’s not essential that you get a (RED) car though, and you really want to get going to the most remote and rugged parts of the wilderness, you will probably get further in the Wrangler from the same company – our pick being the Rubicon for $47,000 and offering you tons of customization, ability and up to a 3-liter turbo diesel engine with 260 hp and a whopping 442 lb-ft of torque.