Are you ready to become part of something bigger than yourself? Not every manufacturer has attracted such a large following of dedicated fans who refuse to drive anything other than what they know. For Jeep, this is something it has not only accomplished in its reign of success that began in the mid-1940s, but it’s something that the brand has fully embraced, and its fans are treated as such. Jeep vehicles have always been synonymous with quality, but there’s this negative stigma that follows nearly every new vehicle in the industry, and that’s affordability. We’re here to tell you that acquiring a brand new Jeep model doesn’t have to cost a proverbial arm and leg, and you don’t have to always stick to the used market to acquire a vehicle that you feel had a justifiable price tag thanks to the new 2021 Jeep Renegade.
The 2021 Jeep Renegade is not the embarkment of an entirely new generation but rather a smooth and seamless continuation of the enhancements that were added with the 2019 model. Generally speaking, the Renegade isn’t quite ready for the next-gen treatment as of now. The 2021 model starts at an MSRP of $22,850 for the Renegade Sport, which serves as the base model.
Not every Renegade is made equal, however, and this is because there are nine total trims to select from if you include the 80th Anniversary edition, which is a limited-edition model designed to celebrate Jeep’s upcoming 80th Anniversary. Every trim adds something fresh to the table that you can’t get on the preceding trim levels below it, but even the top-of-the-line Limited model will still start at a lower MSRP than some of Jeep’s other offerings, including base models such as the Grand Cherokee and Gladiator, for example.
A Surprising Amount of Performance
Those who purchase the Jeep Renegade aren’t doing so because it’s the most powerful vehicle in Jeep’s lineup. Truth be told, if you’re looking for a far more powerful vehicle, you’ll likely be looking further down the line towards vehicles such as the Grand Cherokee. With that vehicle, you’ll have far more options for powertrain configurations, but that’s expected for a vehicle with such a heavier price tag associated with it. In regards to the Renegade, what you get for the price is rather impressive nonetheless.
The two available powertrain configurations start with the 2.4L 4-cylinder that comes standard in lower-end trims. Even more impressive is the inclusion of a 9-speed automatic transmission, which a majority of drivers will agree is a far better offering than something along the lines of a 5 or 6-speed automatic. This base engine will produce 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque, essentially making it perfect for everyday travel.
Additionally, this engine is capable of towing, but Jeep recommends that you only do this on a four-wheel drive model where you can tow up to 2,000 lbs. This is just enough to tow a small boat or a smaller trailer on a relaxing day on the lake or even on vacation. Fuel efficiency is also highly worth noting as this engine gives front-wheel drive models 22 MPG city and 30 MPG highway, and four-wheel drive models get 21 MPG city and 29 MPG highway.
Higher-end models will receive a turbocharged 1.3L 4-cylinder engine that grants the Renegade more torque and better fuel efficiency. Renegades with this turbocharged engine inside will produce 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, and it’s worth mentioning that losing 1.6% of horsepower to gain 20% more torque is more than a fair tradeoff. Those looking to capitalize on the most efficient powertrain configuration will want to opt for this setup as front-wheel drive models with the turbocharged engine will earn EPA-estimated ratings of 24 MPG city and 32 MPG highway. Four-wheel drive models with the turbocharged engine will receive ratings of 23 MPG city and 29 MPG highway, and the maximum towing capacity stays at 2,000 lbs, as was the case with the base engine.
New Safety Features
Although the 2021 Renegade doesn’t offer anything new on the performance front, one of the most noteworthy improvements this year is the inclusion of more safety features than before. Even if you’re looking to save some money by purchasing the base model, you’ll still have multiple features to utilize, with even more options available to you should you choose. The first of these features is the LaneSense Departure Warning, which will assist you in staying alert at all times when traveling on a road with multiple lanes by sending out a warning if you begin drifting out of your lane. LaneSense also includes Lane Keep Assist to realign yourself on the freeway by intelligently sending signals to the steering wheel if Lane Departure Warning wasn’t enough to correct your steering. Even the most cautious of drivers can get distracted, and the inclusion of these two features can be highly assistive in preventing accidents.
Freeway travel can certainly be dangerous, and this is because of your vehicle’s blind spot. Fortunately, every 2021 Renegade comes with Blind Spot Monitoring built-in, which is also complemented by the appearance of Rear Cross Path Detection. Blind Spot Monitoring will send data about your blind spot directly to you and will alert you if it’s unsafe to move your vehicle to the next lane over. According to Jeep, Rear Cross Path Detection utilizes the same sensors for Blind Spot Monitoring to alert you to any obstructions when backing your vehicle up.
Preventing accidents is the goal of each one of the advanced safety features that you can find in the 2021 Renegade. While Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist do the job of correcting your steering on the freeway, it’s the job of the Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking to help stop forward-facing accidents from occurring. This is done by again signaling alerts to the driver, but this time if you’re quickly approaching another vehicle and about to collide, Active Braking will assist you in stopping your vehicle before it’s too late. Lastly, Adaptive Cruise Control is available to Renegade owners, allowing them to keep cruise control enabled without worrying about slowing down when traffic does, as the adaptive part of this cruise control feature will automatically do so.
Jeep’s Constant Winner
Drivers who have either never owned a Jeep vehicle before, and even those who are looking to upgrade from a pre-existing Jeep model, should heavily consider the 2021 Renegade during their shopping research. While it’s true that this Jeep model isn’t particularly suited to the sport of off-roading like other Jeep models, it’s in many ways the perfect daily driver for anyone living in either the city or the suburbs. Speculations have occurred that next year’s Renegade also won’t be the next-generation leap that some drivers are anxiously waiting for, but this just makes the 2021 Renegade that much more of a value proposition in the current day.
This is especially true for those who decide to lease their vehicle, but even the drivers who are looking to outright purchase the vehicle on day one will not have any qualms about their decision. We give the 2021 Jeep Renegade our recommendation, and we encourage you to visit your local Jeep dealership to take one out for a ride.
