The Jeep Renegade Hybrid is the electrified version of the company's smallest SUV to date. It's also the company's first hybrid vehicle alongside the Compass Hybrid. Launched in 2019, it's identical to the familiar Renegade save for the fact that its gasoline four-cylinder engine works in conjunction with an electric motor. The Renegade Hybrid joins a tight subcompact SUV market that includes plug-in hybrids like the Kia Niro and the Toyota C-HR. But even though it's a bit late to the party, it comes with superior power, torque, and class-leading off-road capability. Rated at up to 240 horsepower, its hybrid drivetrain is far superior to what Kia and Toyota have to offer as of 2019. Let's find out more about that in the review below.
2019 Jeep Renegade Hybrid
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2019 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Exterior
Like most hybrid versions of familiar vehicles, the Renegade Hybrid looks identical to the regular crossover. Features that make it stand out are limited to only a couple of small revisions, like the small "e" badge on the tailgate and the plug-in socket on the left rear fender.
The Renegade was revised for the 2019 model year, and the Hybrid model sports the same new and modified features. The front bumper is boxier than before, the LED headlamps are taken from the Wrangler, while the rear bumper was also reshaped. The revised Renegade is also available with seven different wheel options ranging from 16-inch to 19-inch rims. The latter are a first for this small crossover, and they're exclusive to the Limited trim.
The Renegade was subject to some controversy when it was unveiled back in 2014, but the crossover is now widely accepted by the Jeep community, and it has become a popular choice among subcompact crossover enthusiasts.
On the other hand, I think Jeep should've used a few more EV-specific design features like green or blue accents here and there, maybe even a modified front grille. Many customers are looking for unique features in a car, especially if it has some sort of electrification, so a few bespoke visual features would have made a notable difference.
2019 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Interior
Just like the exterior, the interior of the Renegade Hybrid is identical to the regular model save for a few changes. But modifications go beyond visuals here. Jeep had to revise the digital instrument cluster so it can display data about the hybrid drivetrain. Specifically, you can now monitor battery status and charge, total hybrid range, whether the vehicle is in hybrid or electric mode, and if it's plugged in and charging. The total range is displayed in the lower right corner of the central screen, while the fuel indicator is shown on the left.
The center stack features new items as well. Three buttons on the right allow you to select whether the vehicle works in hybrid or electric mode, or activate the e-Save feature for regenerative breaking. Another button on the center console activates battery recharging.
Everything else is standard Renegade business. Depending on the trim you will get a five- or 8.4-inch infotainment display. Both allow you to control the climate system, the sound system, and a wide range of apps, while the bigger screen also includes a navigation system. Both screens have unique menus that include additional hybrid drivetrain information. You can check out data for the e-Save mode, which shows the amount of energy consumed by the engine and climate system versus how much the battery sends back into the system.
2019 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Drivetrain
The hybrid drivetrain in the Renegade pairs an electric motor to the already familiar 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Introduced with the mid-cycle facelift, the turbocharged unit generates 148 or 177 horsepower on its own in the regular Renegade. Jeep doesn't how much extra oomph comes from the electric motor, but did say that the overall output of the hybrid powertrain "sits in the 190 and 240 horsepower range."
This probably means that unlike the Compass Hybrid, the Renegade Hybrid will be offered with two power ratings. It's worth nothing that both deliver more power than any other drivetrain currently available for the Renegade. The most powerful non-hybrid version is the U.S.-spec crossover fitted with the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine that cranks out 180 horsepower, so the least powerful hybrid comes with an extra ten horses.
The 240-horsepower version is also the quickest Renegade yet, as it needs around seven seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start.
But what about range? Well, Jeep didn't release combined ratings yet but did say that the SUV can travel for up to 31 miles on electric power alone. In this setup, top speed is limited to 81 mph, a notable decrease from the Renegade's 120+ mph rating.
On top of being more efficient, the Renegade Hybrid also emits less carbon dioxide. While the 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 144 grams per km on its own, the electric motor reduces that figure to only 50 grams per km.
Jeep says that electrification improves the Renegade’s off-road capability as well. But that's not only because the electric motor adds extra torque. The new drivetrain layout also has the ability to transfer torque with more precision, while the new all-wheel-drive system, called eAWD, features a dedicated electric motor at the rear axle instead of a prop shaft. This setup allows the two axles to control torque in a more effective way than a mechanical system, so the Renegade Hybrid should climb rocks easier than its gasoline and diesel counterparts.
2018 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 |
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) |
2019 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Pricing
Jeep has yet to release pricing information for the Renegade Hybrid, but it should be among the most expensive versions of the small SUV. The Hybrid model will probably retail for as much as the range-topping Renegade Trailhawk, priced from $27,095 in the United States. In the United Kingdom, the Renegade Hybrid will probably cost at least £30,000 before options.
2019 Jeep Renegade Hybrid Competition
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
Introduced in 2016, the Kia Niro spawned a plug-in hybrid version in 2018. Similar to the Renegade as far as dimensions and features go, the Niro is a bit more stylish, so it may be more appealing if you're into cars rather than crossovers. Its hybrid drivetrain also pairs a four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, but the gas mill is slightly larger at 1.6 liters. The engine cranks out 104 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motor adds 43 horses and 125 pound-feet of twist. Total output is rated at 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet, significantly less than the Renegade. On top of being less powerful, the Niro PHEV also lacks the off-road potency of the Renegade Hybrid. U.S. pricing for this vehicle starts from $28,500.
Read our full review of the 2019 Kia Niro.
Toyota C-HR
Toyota's smallest crossover yet, the C-HR is arguably the coolest looking vehicle in this comparison. Sporting angular and aggressive lines, the C-HR manages to stay away from the usually boring design language that plagues most Toyotas. It's just as wild for the subcompact SUV segment as the Honda Civic Type-R is for the hatchback market. But even though it may look menacing, the C-HR is pretty bland under the hood. Powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor, the C-HR hits the street with only 122 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, less than the Kia Niro. The sprint to 62 mph takes 11 seconds, four more than the Renegade Hybrid. Needless to say, the C-HR also lacks the Jeep's off-road capability, so this Toyota is actually more of a daily city driver than an adventurer's crossover. The C-HR is not available in the United States as of April 2019.
Read our full story on the 2019 Toyota C-HR.
Final Thoughts
The Renegade Hybrid is big news for Jeep, a company known for its traditional approach to SUVs. Alongside the Compass Hybrid, it signals the brand's entry in the hybrid market and previews a big electrification effort that will eventually include important nameplates such as the Wrangler and Cherokee. Jeep's decision to electrify the Renegade is inspired when it comes to market positioning as well. The subcompact SUV segment includes only a couple of hybrids in 2019 so Jeep may benefit if things take off in the following years. What's more, the Renegade lands at the top of the market when it comes to power and off-road capability, so it's pretty much a unique offering when compared to the Kia Niro and the Toyota C-HR.
Further reading
Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Renegade.
Read our full review on the 2019 Jeep Compass Hybrid.