Jeep Renegade 2022 Review

The 2022 Jeep Renegade isn't the quickest, most efficient or least expensive subcompact SUV on the market, but it is undoubtedly one of the most versatile. While rivals don't exactly fall apart when they encounter rough terrain or inclement weather, the Renegade's hardware gives it unmatched versatility when the situation calls for it. The Renegade's Trailhawk trim is particularly ready for adventuring thanks to its raised suspension, all-terrain tires, hill descent control and standard four-wheel-drive system. Of course, for really serious off-roading, you'd be better served with something like Jeep's Wrangler or Cherokee, but it's still nice to know the Renegade has some extra capability if you want it.

The Renegade has been on sale since 2015, which makes it a prime candidate for a redesign. But Jeep doesn't overhaul its products very often, and the Renegade soldiers on through 2022 without any major changes. The main thing to be aware of for this year is that the previous 2.4-liter engine is no longer available, leaving the turbocharged 1.3-liter engine as the sole engine for every Renegade now. That's fine with us as we previously thought the 1.3-liter engine was the one to get anyway.

Overall, we like the Renegade. But there are also some rival extra-small SUVs that you might find more appealing, including the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos. Read our test team's Expert Rating to get our full take on the 2022 Renegade.

Which Renegade does MatoCar recommend?

The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV with seating for up to five passengers. It comes in four trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. A turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine (177 horsepower, 190 lb-ft of torque) and nine-speed transmission are standard on all trims. The Sport comes with front-wheel drive by default, though all-wheel drive is optional. AWD comes standard on the Latitude and Limited, while the Trailhawk comes standard with a four-wheel-drive system.

Sport This entry-level model comes with a broad set of features:

• 16-inch steel wheels
• Heated mirrors
• Push-button ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• Fold-flat front passenger seat
• 60/40-split folding rear seat
• 8.4-inch touchscreen
• Satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Navigation system
• Six-speaker sound system
• Removable cargo floor panel

Standard safety equipment for all trims includes:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
• Trailer sway damping (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway)

The optional Sport Appearance package adds:

• Alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Tinted rear windows

Latitude This upgraded trim level includes many nice-to-haves, such as:

• All-wheel drive
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic headlights
• Foglights
• Roof rails
• Keyless entry
• Remote engine start
• Upgraded driver information display
• Upgraded cloth upholstery
• Rear USB ports
• Tinted rear windows

The Latitude offers a wider selection of optional features than the Sport. These include:

•  Altitude package
• 18-inch black-painted wheels
• Gloss black exterior accents
• Premium cloth upholstery
• Convenience Group package
• Automatic wipers and windshield wiper de-icer
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• 40/20/40-split folding rear seats
• 115-volt household-style power outlet
• Sun and Sound Group package
• Panoramic sunroof
• Nine-speaker Kenwood audio system

Limited Building off Latitude equipment, this luxe addition to the Renegade family includes:

• Convenience Group package
• 18-inch wheels
• Leather upholstery

Optional for the Limited are:

• Luxury Group package
• LED headlights
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Renegade and the car in front)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Sun, Sound and Wheels Group package
• Sun and Sound Group
• 19-inch wheels

Trailhawk Jeep positions the Trailhawk as the off-road-oriented trim. Discouragingly, it's the only Renegade not to feature the forward collision mitigation system. Otherwise it starts with Latitude's equipment and adds:

• Convenience Group package
• 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
• Unique exterior and interior accents
• Raised suspension
• Front and rear tow hooks
• Underbody skid plates
• Hill descent control
• Full-size spare tire
• Matte black hood decal

The Trailhawk's optional equipment consists of:

• Luxury Group package
• LED headlights
• Leather upholstery
• Trailer Tow Group package
• Class III towing hitch
• Four-pin wiring harness
• Sun and Sound Group package