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Author Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade  (Read 21365 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« on: October 29, 2015, 06:30:51 am »

Legit off-road cred. A list of faults. Strangely likable.
Read More...
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Offline JohnnyMac

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2015, 07:09:27 am »
Wow that's a lot of money.  I know this isn't typically the model and features regular folks will buy but at no point do I look at this Jeep and think "that's a $40,000 rig". 

What's wrong with the regular Jeep Wrangler.  I don't understand why someone would pick one of these over the competition or one of the Jeep stable mates.  I get that it's cute and maybe it gets the style over substance people to buy, but everyone else with common sense will surely look elsewhere.
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Offline wing

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Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2015, 07:35:37 am »
It's no wrangler totally different buyer.

It's a competitor to the car etc.

I had one last week,  it was OK,  a few issues I had though turned me off.

It wanders on the highway,  had mileage was poor,  4wd didn't work one day,  cruise broke once.   Radio turned itself on,  while car was off...  Wut?

And my buddy asked if that was me driving the flamboyant jeep  lol
« Last Edit: October 29, 2015, 03:15:02 pm by JacobBlack »
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Offline mixmanmash

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Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2015, 08:26:54 am »
The fuel economy can easily explained by the boxy shape of this thing.
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Offline redman

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2015, 09:01:07 am »
"I literally burst out laughing when a gentleman in a brand-new Jeep Cherokee pulled up beside me, rolled his window down and advised me that my Renegade is not a “real Jeep”. I thought that was pretty rich, coming from someone who was also driving a Fiat-based Jeep."

Today's fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) has more to do with the Mercedes Jeep/Chrysler ownership days than it's current Fiat ownership.
WK2 platform uses a derivative based on Mercedes-Benz's W166 series. The 2011+ Dodge Durango are off the same platform that was developed jointly with Mercedes (ML Chassis).
« Last Edit: October 29, 2015, 09:04:27 am by redman »
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Offline wing

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2015, 09:10:17 am »
He said Cherokee, not to be confused with the Grand...
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Offline sailor723

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2015, 09:15:59 am »
The only good thing about this vehicle is the song!
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Offline mlin32

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2015, 09:16:24 am »
I know that "strangely likeable" trait you can find in some cars thesedays. I don't think every car purchase has to make sense from a practical and sensible standpoint. What matters is that the car has character, and doesn't feel like just an appliance that provides transport. The 2,4 I-4 petrol is a dog of a motor though.......thirsty, slow, coarse. Why does FCA use it?!

Reminds me of the DS3 I had last month. Sure, the build quality was a bit off and no, it doesn't make as much rational sense as a tried-and-true VW Polo (now available with cheating software! -sorry this is the ongoing joke in Germany thesedays). But I still want a DS3....fizzy to drive, good to look at, and way more interesting. Basically, it had character.
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Offline redman

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2015, 09:28:47 am »
Quote from: wing on October 29, 2015, 09:10:17 am
He said Cherokee, not to be confused with the Grand...

Yes... thanks, to much usage of the "Cherokee" nameplate. Damn marketers.  :stick:
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Offline OliverD

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2015, 10:02:36 am »
Quote from: JohnnyMac on October 29, 2015, 07:09:27 am
Wow that's a lot of money.  I know this isn't typically the model and features regular folks will buy but at no point do I look at this Jeep and think "that's a $40,000 rig". 

What's wrong with the regular Jeep Wrangler.  I don't understand why someone would pick one of these over the competition or one of the Jeep stable mates.  I get that it's cute and maybe it gets the style over substance people to buy, but everyone else with common sense will surely look elsewhere.

A Wrangler isn't exactly a common sense purchase for most people either.

I do think the Renegade is a bit overpriced though. Equally equipped it's very close to the larger Cherokee. A guy I work with recently got a Cherokee Trailhawk. They had gone into the dealership to look at the Renegade but he said it didn't make much sense not to get the Cherokee because the price was so close and he got the V6 to boot.

I do love the styling of the Renegade. But when I price out a loaded 1.4T/six-speed model there's no way I'm choosing it over the Wrangler. Though Wrangler prices have skyrocketed in the last few years...

Edit: Have to add that the bright blue on the test vehicle is an awesome colour.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2015, 10:06:42 am by OliverD »
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2015, 10:23:11 am »
I stopped in to a Jeep dealer here to ask about the Renegade because I really liked how it looked. It was a quick visit once the salesguy showed me the pricing.
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Offline Noto

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2015, 11:19:44 am »
Quote from: Autos_Editor on October 29, 2015, 06:30:51 am
Legit off-road cred. A list of faults. Strangely likable.
Perfect description of this vehicle.

Quote from: JohnnyMac on October 29, 2015, 07:09:27 am
What's wrong with the regular Jeep Wrangler.
Can't believe I'm defending FCA here, but I would take the Renegade over the Wrangler in a heartbeat.

The Wrangler is great, but it's far too off-roady.  Its trunk is also a joke in the 2-door models, unless you're referring to the Wrangler 4-door, in which case that's a MUCH larger vehicle to navigate pretty much everywhere.

I really do see the benefit of the Renegade.  I liked it a lot more than the 500X because it at least had purpose to overcome the platform's shortcomings.

...but the Renegade, being as small as it is, drove HUGE - way bigger than the Wrangler drives.  I cannot say firmly why that is, but likely has to do with the high seating position and giant pillars.

This does not overlap with the Wrangler by any stretch of the imagination.
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Offline Gurgie

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2015, 01:22:23 pm »
Cost wise I do see the comparison to the Wrangler, because the MSRP on an Unlimited Sahara is $38.5K for a 2016, so that's pretty close there.  After that the comparison pretty much ends, Wrangler is much bigger, way worse on gas, less refined... BUT much more fun to drive I feel, especially with the 6spd, keeps me entertained all the time... plus the ground clearance on the Wrangler is a nice added bonus, you can create your own short-cuts  :rofl2:
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Offline tooscoops

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2015, 01:39:54 pm »
anyone who actually cross-shops a wrangler and this don't know a thing about jeeps... or probably cars.

such different vehicles. cost wise, trailhawk is actually the way i would go... the only way to get these jeeps is either entry level (go for a stick sport, with the power group and ac for about 23k) or to go trailhawk without things like the leather or roof for 34. north, by the time you go for a few things, you are already at 32 or so and i'd say it has no more presence or fun factor than the base, without the look of the trailhawk...

that's my rationale for *someone else* to buy this... me... nope. i think they are a cool car to compete against other non-practical things like the juke, the countryman, soul and such, but not for everyone. i just hope they are reliable...
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Offline Noto

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2015, 01:45:12 pm »
Quote from: tooscoops on October 29, 2015, 01:39:54 pm
such different vehicles. cost wise, trailhawk is actually the way i would go... the only way to get these jeeps is either entry level (go for a stick sport, with the power group and ac for about 23k) or to go trailhawk without things like the leather or roof for 34. north, by the time you go for a few things, you are already at 32 or so and i'd say it has no more presence or fun factor than the base, without the look of the trailhawk...
Have you driven both Non-Trailhawk and Trailhawk versions?  I've only driven this loaded Trailhawk, and it wasn't particularly great to drive on the streets.  Is the North (or other trims) better?
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Offline tooscoops

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #15 on: October 29, 2015, 02:19:55 pm »
took a sport manual out yesterday... the engine is not strong enough, but you can push it with the stick at least... ride is ok. had a north out last month and thought it was not that different from the trailhawk... a bit less compliant and felt almost lighter, but not a huge difference.
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Offline Noto

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2015, 02:26:17 pm »
It's funny  - we all really like the idea of the Renegade, yet everyone has a lot of complaints about it.  I wonder if this vehicle is just a mid-cycle refresh away from being a really, really good well-rounded vehicle.
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #17 on: October 29, 2015, 04:41:37 pm »
HAHAHAH....$40K for a rebadged Fiat, yeah no. For that I would want a proper Jeep, Grand Cherokee or a Wrangler.Sorry, this thing does not have "off road cred", no proper transfer case, no real articulation, no real lockers....so where is this "cred"?? Sorry, no way, a Wrangler is a large vehicle to navigate around with??? Sorry, you ever driven one, I would be hard pressed to find an easier vehicle to parallel park than a 2 door Wrangler, the 4 door is not even that much harder. To me, the Buick Encore or Chevy Trax would be a lot more fun to drive in this overgrown hatchback category.....especially since I found what Vermont Tuning can do with that little 1.4.
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Offline tooscoops

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #18 on: October 29, 2015, 04:58:50 pm »
don't forget that a grand cherokee starts at just over this price... so can't really compare it...

and i think anytime people are discussing the wrangler, they are referring to the 4 door unlimited, as the 2 door just wouldn't work capacity wise... so yeah, quite a bit bigger...
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Test Drive: 2015 Jeep Renegade
« Reply #19 on: October 29, 2015, 05:01:07 pm »
Quote from: tooscoops on October 29, 2015, 04:58:50 pm
don't forget that a grand cherokee starts at just over this price... so can't really compare it...

and i think anytime people are discussing the wrangler, they are referring to the 4 door unlimited, as the 2 door just wouldn't work capacity wise... so yeah, quite a bit bigger...

Yeah but for $40K you get a legendary, convertible, 4x4 that will make you smile every time you take the roof and doors off of it. Or some rebadged, poorly sorted Fiat with a Jeep badge....
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