2020 Jeep Renegade

Pros: Good passenger space (save for rear legroom) and cargo room in a tidy package; solid body structure contributes to good ride quality for the class; distinctive styling; broad range of available technology features and unique equipment

Cons: Road, wind, and engine noise intrude a bit in highway driving; thick roof pillars compromise visibility; automatic transmission is often slow to downshift for more power

CG Says: The 2020 Jeep Renegade expands availability of safety features. The Advanced Tech Group that includes emergency autonomous braking and lane-keep assist is now available on base Sport models. The Safety and Security group that includes blind-spot alert and rear cross-traffic detection is now available on Sport and Upland models. There is also a new upgraded telematics system. Introduced for 2015, Renegade is a subcompact-sized crossover SUV that revived a model name from Jeep’s past. Two engines are offered. The base engine is a 180-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and the step-up engine is a 177-hp turbo 1.3-liter 4-cylinder. Both engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and offer front- or 4-wheel drive. The Renegade is based on the same basic platform as the Fiat 500X from Jeep’s parent company, but it has more-rugged, “Jeep-esque” styling, higher ground clearance, and the availability of an off-road-capable 4-wheel-drive system. Like its Fiat 500X cousin, the Renegade is built in Italy. Among the available features are heated mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and unique “My Sky” dual removable sunroofs (the forward one being available with a power-sliding feature). Available safety features include forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear-obstacle detection, rear cross-path detection, and rearview camera with dynamic grid lines. The Renegade stands out in the fast-growing category of pint-sized SUVs by offering rugged-but-cute Jeep styling and legitimate off-road capabilities (when properly equipped).