The Renegade, Jeep's smallest model to date, first arrived on the market at the end of 2014 after being proudly displayed at the Geneva Motor Show that year.

Over the last seven years, the mini SUV has been offered with a whole spectrum of engine sizes, ranging from a tiny 1.0-liter to a thirsty 2.4-liter, and different powertrains, including a PHEV edition. In addition, the model has been released with some funky trims, including a 'Limited' top-of-the-line and a 'Trailhawk' off-road-ready edition.

If that wasn't enough; Jeep also chucked in a heap of bright and bold exterior paint color options: Lime Green (as pictured), Alpine White, Anvil, Black, Carbon Black, Colorado Red, Glacier Silver Metallic, Jetset Blue, Omaha Orange, Solar Yellow, and Mojavesand.

However, as much Jeep has tried to win the market over with their quirky, cute, butter-wouldn't-melt 4x4, the Renegade just hasn't been a smash hit and hasn't been able to compete with the likes of the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, and Citroen C3 Aircross.

So, what went wrong with this poor little car? Why has it been so badly reviewed, and what are the benefits of owning the underdog of the SUV world?

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Patchy Reliability Of The Jeep Renegade

Jeep Renegade
Via: Corvettec6r, Wikimedia Commons - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

The first issue with the Renegade is its reputation for having pretty poor reliability. Euro NCAP retested the model in late 2019 and brought the car's five-star rating down to a below-par three. The model scored 82% for adult protection, but just 55% for pedestrian protection and 58% for safety assistance.

Many consumers are attracted to SUVs due to the idea that the bigger the car, the safer the car. Unfortunately, this just doesn't seem to be the case with the Renegade. In fact, almost all of its rivals have five-star ratings - which really puts this model at the bottom of the pile.

Jeep Renegade Cost

Jeep Renegade
Via: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

The cheapest version of the car costs $22,850, which doesn't sound all that bad - until, once again, you compare it to its rivals. The ever-so-popular Nissan Juke is available from $23,900, and the Citroen Aircross is retailed at the exact same price of $16,500.

This price difference would be acceptable if the Renegade was able to offer something that the others had missed a trick on, but alas, it once again falls behind the group when it comes down to technology, drive quality, and value for money.

Who Does It Appeal To?

Jeep Renegade Interior
Via: Chris Collard, Flickr - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Another issue with the Jeep Renegade is figuring out who exactly the car was designed for. For example, the Nissan Juke was quite clearly designed for young adults without children, who don't need huge amounts of legroom, boot capacity, or space in the back but still want to look impressive and imposing on the road.

It's perfect for city driving as it is available with a 1.0-liter or 1.2-liter petrol engine, and it oozes style without breaking the bank. In comparison, the Renault Captur is the perfect mini SUV for couples who like to travel or for small families, as it has great practicality and boot space.

In fact, the rear bench slides by 160mm back and forth to enhance the boot capacity or increase the legroom as required. Impressive, right? Then, we come to the Citroen C3 Aircross, perhaps reserved for the older generation.

This model has a slightly less bold exterior look and opts for comfort over style. However, the ride quality is incredibly smooth, and the roomy cabin comes with loads of personalization options and infotainment systems. So, who is the Jeep made for exactly? It's not cheap enough to suit those on a tighter budget.

It's not quirky and bold enough for those who want to turn heads on the road. It's not full of high-tech gadgets, it's not incredibly safe, and it's certainly not that impressive to drive. So, taking all of this into account, who in their right mind would really consider buying a Renegade?

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The Good Bit

Jeep Renegade
Via: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons - Mr.choppers

Despite all of the arguments against this little car, there are reasons to be fond of it. There is something undeniably characteristic about the Jeep DNA, which seeps through every bit of the model - from the bright, eye-catching exterior paint colors, to the traditional and almost military-looking interior.

There's something so loveable about the box-like, square-edged Jeep that makes it stand out from its curvy crossover peers. It's not the best on paper, but if you've got the money and the famous Jeep brand is appealing to you, then the cheapest, smallest and quirkiest model in the line-up isn't such a bad shout.

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