Fiat->ke30-Chrysler->ke21 has unveiled its latest offspring at the Geneva Motor Show->ke228, the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade. The little Jeep->ke40 represents the brand’s first foray into the small crossover market, but its global market reach will be anything but small. Fiat-Chrysler is will sell the Jeep in over 100 markets worldwide while targeting youthful, thrill-seeking customers.

That global reach hasn’t stopped the Jeep from showing its rugged roots though. Two four-wheel-drive systems, decent ground clearance, a removable top, a manual transmission option and loads of cargo room are all part of the Renegade’s tactical plan for world domination. And with its lineage tracing back to the Willys MB Jeep that helped win WWII, we’re not quick to discount the plan, despite the Renegade’s less than macho exterior appeal.

The Renegade will offer an unprecedented 16 powertrain combinations with 6 engine options in total, though the U.S. is only getting a small number of them, with both being familiar from other Fiat-Chrysler products. The 1.4-liter turbo I-4 from the Fiat 500L serves as the base engine, while the 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 from the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 fills the top-tier slot. A six-speed manual transmission will come attached to the 1.4-liter while the 2.4-liter gets a nine-speed automatic unit. Front-wheel-drive will come standard with four-wheel-drive being an option.

With its attractive cuteness, clever interior packaging options, and impressive list of amenities, it’s easy to imagine the Renegade catching on worldwide. The question remains, however, is it worthy of the Jeep name and Trail Rated badge? Click past the jump to find out.

Click past the jump for all the info on the 2015 Jeep Renegade

2015 Jeep Renegade

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Jeep Renegade
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 160 @ 5500
  • Torque: 170 @ 2500
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy shots

These spy shots show the Renegade testing with Fiat clothes on. Thankfully, the finalized design is much more bold and rugged than the prototypes you seen below.

January 28, 2014 - Baby Jeep plays in the snow

October, 4 2013 - First testing session

Exterior

The Renegade’s exaggerated features and upright stance give it a slightly anime-like look. The two-box shape does help the Jeep offer more usable interior space while keeping a somewhat rugged exterior look. The large D-pillar and curved rear glass, combined with the accentuated taillights really add character to the crossover. The expressive character traits continue up front with the concave, seven-slot grille with its blacked-out surround. The pinched shoulder lines along the side windows also add to the Renegade’s unique styling.

It seems the narrow-opening wheel wells will present a problem to anyone looking to upgrade to larger tires or adding a suspension lift. Perhaps the problem will be solved in the aftermarket industry with the creation of custom fender cutouts, but until such time, the wheel wells seem almost out of place.

But speaking of places, Jeep has stuck to their recent tradition of adding small ‘Easter Eggs’ throughout the interior and exterior of their vehicles. Looking closely, you’ll spot small Willys MB Jeep logos on the wheels and even a topographical map of Moab, Utah -- a popular Jeeping destination -- molded into the a small storage bin within the center console.

2015 Jeep Renegade - Exterior Specifications

Wheelbase

101.2 (2,570)

Track, Front

60.6 (1,540)

Track, Rear

60.6 (1,540)

Overall Length

166.6 (4,232)

Overall Width

71.0 (1,804)

Overall Height

66.5 (1,689)

Load-floor height

29.8 (758)

Sill-step height

19.4 (494) front, 19.6 (497) rear

Ground Clearances

6.7 (170) 4x2
7.9 (200) 4x4
8.7 (220) Trailhawk 4x4


Interior

The interior comes in a variety of different styles, depending on trim package. Jeep hasn’t released all the available features and what trim each are attached to, but we know the Renegade will come in four trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Even for such an entry-level vehicle, the Renegade’s interior looks well appointed. Both a 5.0- and 6.5-inch Uconnect navigation system are available, along with a huge seven-inch TFT screen in the gauge cluster.

A leather shift boot with red stitching and matching red anodized trim pieces help dress things up. Alleviating buttons on the center console is a steering wheel covered in them. Thankfully, power window and door lock controls are found on the doors rather than the center stack or console like previous Jeep models. Bluetooth, HD Radio, Sirius XM, and USB/Aux input jacks help occupants pass the miles in comfort.

Above the passengers is Jeep’s new My Sky roof system. It consists of two removable panels that stow in the rear cargo compartment. The system is the first of its kind in the crossover segment and almost resembles the Freedom Top hardtop option offered on the Wrangler. Constructed from a lightweight fiberglass-polyurethane material, the optional tops easily remove to open the five seats to the open sky.

2015 Jeep Renegade - Exterior Specifications

2015 Jeep Renegade - Exterior Specifications

2/3

Seating Capacity — Front/Rear

Front Row

41.1 (1,045)

Head Room without Sunroof

39.7 (1,009)

Head Room with Sunroof

41.2 (1,046)

Legroom

55.9 (1,419)

Shoulder Room

53.1 (1,348)

Hip Room

9.0 (230) driver / 10.2 (260) front passenger

Seat Travel

Second Row

40.5 (1,029)

Head Room with Sunroof

35.1 (891)

Legroom

55.1 (1,400)

Shoulder Room

51.9 (1,319)

Head Room

45.3


Drivetrain

Like we mentioned before, the Renegade offered in the U.S. only gets two engine options -- and neither are overly exciting. First up is the 1.4-liter, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder also found in the Fiat 500L. In this application, it makes 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It’s offered with a six-speed manual transmission and optional with four-wheel drive. Opting for the more premium engine gets you the 2.4-liter Tigershark four-banger also found in the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200. In the Jeep, it’s still short on power at 184 horsepower and 117 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic will accompany the Tigershark, as does the optional four-wheel drive.

Two separate four-wheel-drive systems are available: the Jeep Active Drive and Active Drive Low. Both systems are a full-time four-wheel drive that sends power to the front wheels under normal conditions, but can send up to 100 percent of power to any one wheel when traction is limited. The Active Drive Low system goes a step further by providing a low range for tackling the tougher off-road challenges with a crawl ratio of 20:1. Both systems also come with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system, which gives the driver five separate modes to chose based on the terrain he’s currently traversing. The five modes are auto, snow, sand, mud -- and on Trailhawk models only -- rock mode.

2015 Jeep Renegade - Drivetrain Specifications

Type and Description

In-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, turbocharged

In-line four-cylinder, 16-valve MultiAir with multiport fuel injection

Displacement

83.48 cu. in. (1,368 cu. cm)

144 cu. in. (2,360 cc)

Bore x Stroke

2.83 x 3.31 in. (72.0 x 84.0 mm)

88x97

Valve System

Belt-driven, MultiAir, SOHC, 16 valves, hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers

SOHC, four valves per cylinder

Fuel Injection

Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless

Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless

Construction

Cast-iron block with aluminum-alloy head and aluminum-alloy bedplate

Aluminum block, aluminum cylinder head

Compression Ratio

9.8:1

10:1

Power (SAE)

160 hp (119 kW) @ 5,500 rpm

184 hp (137 kW) @ 6,400 rpm

Torque (SAE)

170 lb.-ft. (230 N•m) @ 2,500-4,000 rpm

177 lb.-ft. (236 N•m) @ 4,400 rpm

Max. Engine Speed

6,500 rpm (electronically limited)

6,500 rpm

Fuel Requirement

87 octane (R+M)/2 acceptable
91 octane recommended

Unleaded regular, 87 octane

Oil Capacity

4.0 qt. (3.8 liter) with dry filter

5.5 qt. (5.2 liter) (total)

Coolant Capacity

5.5 qt. (5.2 liter)

6.8 qt. (6.45 liter)


Prices

Trim

Price

Sport

$17,995

Latitude

$21,295

Limited

$24,795

Trailhawk

$25,995


Competitors

Fiat 500X

On the European market and maybe in the U.S., the new baby Jeep will have to compete against the upcoming Fiat 500X. For the American market there is no official confirmation yet for the 500X.

The 500X will feature a design language similar to the entire 500 line. Under its hood, it will get a choice of three different engines, Fiat’s two-cylinder turbocharged TwinAir engine, a 1.4-liter and a 1.3-liter turbo-diesel.

Just like with the baby Jeep the new 500X will be unveiled in 2014.

Mini Countryman

The Countryman was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show->ke228 after being previewed by the Beachcomber Concept. The model is generally a slightly larger version of the Cooper, with an increased ride height and an optional all-wheel-drive system.

Like with any other Cooper model, the Countryman is offered in two versions: standard and S. The base model gets a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower, while the S version the engine is turbocharge, increasing it output to 184 horsepower.

Conclusion

For you author, it’s hard to place a finger on exactly how I feel about it. If it were anything other than a Jeep, I’d instantly love it. Off-roadability in a compact, fuel-efficient package with creative styling -- sure, what’s not to love? But since it carries such an iconic, heroic nameplate, it’s difficult not to see the Renegade as too wimpy for the brand. Then again, the Renegade is light-years ahead of the terrible Compass and Patriot models in pretty much every way.

Perhaps a parallel could be drawn between the rough and tumble Wrangler and John Wayne; along side the comedic Gomer Pyle and the Renegade. They’re all U.S.M.C-types, but the latter two go about it in quite a different way.