It's been less than a year since Jeep introduced a mid-cycle facelift for the Renegade and the mini SUV was updated once again at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. This around though, upgrades aren't about styling tweaks, but a brand-new hybrid drivetrain. Alongside the Compass, the Renegade is the first Jeep vehicle to boast electrification.

What's under the shell

The Renegade plug-in hybrid pairs a small-displacement gasoline engine to an electric motor. The mill in question is a turbocharged, 1.3-liter four-cylinder. This unit is relatively new, as it was added to the lineup as part of the 2019-model-year facelift. Built in Poland, the 1.3 Turbo Multiair engine delivers either 148 or 177 horsepower in the regular Renegade.

Jeep didn't say how much power it generates in the hybrid model, but did mention that the hybrid combo delivers between 190 to 240 horsepower. Given that Euro-spec models feature the 148-horsepower engine, the electric motor should crank out between 42 to 92 horsepower.

The 240-horsepower version is obviously the quickest. With both the gas engine and electric motor engaged, the Renegade needs around seven seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start. Not bad for a hybrid.

In this setup, top speed is limited to 81 mph. CO2 emissions drop from 144 g/kg for the 1.3-liter MultiAir model to only 50 g/kg for the hybrid powertrain.

Enhanced Off-road Capability

Jeep claims that electrification further improves the Renegade's off-road capability. That's most because the electric motor adds extra torque, but it's also because the new drivetrain layout has the ability to transfer it with more precision. The new electric all-wheel-drive system (eAWD) also features a dedicated electric motor at the rear axle instead of a prop shaft, which allows the two axles to control torque in a more effective way than a mechanical system.

What Else is New?

You can now monitor battery charge and electric and combined range, among other parameters. Design-wise, the Renegade hybrid looks identical to its gasoline and diesel siblings, save for the extra charging socket on the rear fender.

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
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)


Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Renegade.