2019 Jeep Renegade Picks Up Horsepower, Drops Manual Transmission

Good news: The 2019 Jeep Renegade is getting a power bump. The bad news: Its manual transmission is going away.

How the Off Road Community Helped Us Get to Moab

Last month, Mercedes and I headed town to Las Vegas for the Jp Dirt 'N Drive and then onto Moab for Easter Jeep Safari. However, our Jeep Cherokee, The PDXJ, had a few issues. Thankfully we ran into some extremely helpful people who restored our faith in humanity ... and helped fix our Jeep.

More over at Crankshaft Culture ...

One Day, Three Test Drives: Driving the Models We Missed

While we get to drive a host of new cars, many aren't necessarily the spec, we'd personally buy. Sometimes we want a lower trim level, a different engine, and always the manual transmission option. So every now and then my curiosity takes me to a dealership to seek out some of these vehicles. Yesterday was one of those days.

The Crankshaft Culture Cherokee Gets Underway

Over at our other site, Crankshaft Culture, we're hard at work on our 2001 Jeep Cherokee project. A host of parts have showed up, some of which have been installed, some of which are being installed, and some of which are residing under our living room couch. We also may or may not have seven 31x10.50 Yokohama tires stacked up in our entryway. Garage? Who needs a garage!

Read more ...

Jeep Renegade Gets Some Serious Off Road Parts

We've big fans of the Jeep Renegade, and that's no secret. So we were pretty stoked when we heard Daystar has released a bunch of Renegade-specific off-road accessories. 

2015 Subcompact Culture Car of the Year: Jeep Renegade

Say we did a subcompact car of the year. (We did in 2013.) If we had to choose one vehicle that was a standout in 2015, what would it be? For us, the answer was pretty easy. The Jeep Renegade. 

Review: 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

By Mercedes Lilienthal

We were really excited to test the 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport earlier this year, and got even more excited when we recently had the chance to review another one, this time, the top-of-the-line, off-road ready 2015 Renegade Trailhawk.

Wrapped in Anvil gray paint and boasting the MySky power retractable and removable roof (vs. the non-power version we had in the Sport), this optioned-up Trailhawk Jeep comes equipped with just about everything an off-road enthusiast would want (and need) for light to moderate off-pavement adventuring. This rig offers up skid plates galore, 0.8-inches more ground clearance than the Sport model (total of 8.7" if clearance), 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 215/65R17 all-terrain tires, front and rear tow hooks, and a selectable Selec-Terrain AWD system with Rock Mode and 4WD Lock, which locks the center differential—a nice feature on AWD vehicles.

The Selec-Terrain system is pretty slick. It allows the driver to manually change the handling for different types of terrain and weather. Snow, sand, mud, and rock settings help the vehicle navigate tricky turf. Simply turn the knob to the desired setting and motor on. The mode you're in will display between the tachometer and speedometer on the dashboard, too. Add to that a host of safety features like a bunch of front and side-mounted airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic stability and roll mitigation control, hill start and descent control, and all-speed traction control; you are pretty prepped for outdoor fun.

Small Cars, Big Prices: Why is the Subcompact Crossover Market So Hot and Why are They so Expensive?

By Michael Rentfro

Let me remind you all that I live smack dab in the middle of Heartland USA. There are no mountains within a day’s journey, unless you count the triple-decker on-ramp that crosses the Mississippi River into Illinois. There are no beaches you can drive on without being thrown in Army Corps of Engineers jail, and there are no curvy roads of any sort, unless you count the state highway they had to build around Cletus’s farm because he “simply would not sign that there piece of paper them big city muckey mucks threatened him with.” Our roads are straight and flat, and most of our first cars are funded by walking beans, bailing hay, detasseling corn (a practice so strange to city dwellers, MS Word swears it’s misspelled!), or simply passed down from generation to generation. It’s a very simple life, but we often find ourselves behind in the times when it comes to embracing change. This is why it’s so strange to me to see countless Jeep Renegades and Chevy Traxs (exactly what is the plural of Trax?) cruising our laser-straight highways here in the heartland. Even here, the subcompact crossover market seems to be exploding.

Review: 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport

By Andy Lilienthal

If there are two automotive trends that Americans are obsessed with, it is Jeeps and crossovers, but nary the two shall meet, right? As someone who works in the off-road industry (as my full time gig), I can tell you most Wrangler owners don’t want to have anything to do with the Renegade. “It’s not a real Jeep,” they’ll say. Let’s get this straight: The Renegade will never be a Wrangler; it was never supposed to be. However, the more Renegades Jeep can sell, the more likely it is the company will continue to finance the uber-niche Wrangler. OK, well I’m glad I got that off my chest.

To me, the Renegade is one of those vehicles I've been looking forward to since I heard rumors of a “baby Jeep” a couple years ago. We immediately thought it’d be a Fiat Panda. Then we figured it’d just be an all-wheel drive Fiat 500L. Well, it’s neither. Its larger than the European Panda and more capable (and better looking) than the 500L. Jeep did a great job designing this little rig, which is sold in a host of countries around the world, not just North America. And I’ll tell you this: It’s likely going to be a huge success.

Despite the Jeep brand having an image almost as American as the Statue of Liberty, the Renegade is actually made in Italy. (Hey, the Statue of Liberty was made in France.) It’s manufactured on the same line as both the dowdy (albeit super practical) Fiat 500L and the Fiat 500X, which is essentially a mechanical twin of the Renegade. Think of it this way: The Renegade wears blue jeans; the 500X wears khakis. They’re both pants, but with different looks.

Nearly all of the Renegade’s attention in the media has been focused on its Trailhawk trim level, which offers up most of the off-road goodies. Our tester, however, was the entry level Sport trim, although it was equipped with the optional SOHC 2.4-liter Tigershark engine and nine-speed ZF transmission that’s standard on the Trailhawk. Yes, the Renegade is available with the 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine and a six-speed manual in Sport guise, but our tester had the more powerful mill. This Sport model comes in either front- or all-wheel drive; our tester turned all four wheels.

Jeep Renegade Walk Around (With Video)

By Mercedes Lilienthal

I was at the 2015 Portland International Auto Show last week and was able to check out the new Jeep Renegade. I snapped a few photos and took a walk-around video to give you an idea of the vehicle's dimensions, character, and style.

Auto Express Reviews the Jeep Renegade

Subcompact Culture has high hopes for the tiny Jeep Renegade compact crossover; we're really looking forward to checking one out in person and driving one. Heck, we're even thinking of possibly buying one in the future. The UK's Auto Express posted their video review of Jeeps smallest vehicle, and overall it seems to be positive. There were some criticisms for visibility and interior bits, however, as well as urban maneuverability.

I haven't been this excited for a new vehicle since the Scion xB first came to the States. Looking forward to getting our mitts on this Jeep which, of course, has a lot of Italian DNA (e.g. Fiat 500X).

Source: Auto Express

Official: 2015 Jeep Renegade

Low and behold, the rumors are true, and here's the 2015 "Baby Jeep," officially called the Renegade. This is Jeep's first foray into the small SUV market (remember, this is smaller than the Patriot/Compass). The Renegade will also be a global platform, so this little Jeep will be sold all over the world. Jeep is saying the vehicle was designed in the U.S.A., but will be manufactured in Italy. There will be a host of powertrains and transmissions globally, but no word yet on which combination the U.S. is getting. We're not generally a site that simply pastes a press release for a story, but there's a lot to read, so here's the full story from Jeep:

Is This the 2015 Jeep Renegade aka The Baby Jeep?

It's no secret that Jeep has plans to offer a new "baby Jeep," which will slot under the Jeep Patriot. It's been said it'll be based on the Fiat 500L and have all-wheel drive. There hasn't been any word from Fiat Chrysler Automotive about when it'll be available, what it'll look like, or pretty much anything else. The car is supposed to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next week, but apparently the pic has been scooped. Today, Jalopnik posted the picture above. Apparently the vehicle will be called the Renegade and I like it, assuming this is truly it. 

The new Cherokee's off-road trim level is called the Trailhawk, and this picture looks very similar to that trim level: Same color, red tow hooks, black wheels, and black accents. Frankly, I love it. 

Again, assuming this is truly real, I think it looks a lot like a Fiat Panda, which is a good thing. It also has a very tall, narrow look that kind of reminds me of a Kei car, but in a good way. Hopefully the Renegade will be available with a powertrain to turn all four wheels, which I'm sure it will be. It'll likely be an all-wheel drive system, and with any luck, it'll have a center diff lock. I doubt it'll be four-wheel drive system with low range and all that. I just hope you can get the AWD with a manual transmission.

This little Jeep might just make for a great adventure vehicle. I'm really looking forward to learning more about this, and holding out hope it'll come with a manual trans. Jeep—you've got my attention. 

Jeep Wrangler: The last two-door 4x4. Will other automakers ever try to wrangle Wrangler sales?

Me driving a Jeep Wrangler TJ Unlimited in Moab, Utah

When it comes to off-road adventure, few vehicles resonate as much as the Jeep Wrangler. With solid front and rear axles and an aftermarket as noteworthy as Jeep's heritage is long, Jeep has a following that is enormous and extremely dedicated. Whether here in Oregon or out in Moab, Utah, I've gone places and done things behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler that were extremely impressive. They are truly remarkable, capable vehicles, even right out of the box. And in two-door guise, they're not really that large. For comparison's sake, a two-door Wrangler has an overall length of 163.8"—that's 11" shorter than a 2013 Nissan Versa. It's wheelbase is 95.4"—that's about 3" shorter than a Honda Fit. Interesting, eh?

The next generation Fiat Panda

The Fiat Panda has been motoring around Europe for nearly 30 years. Known for a go-anywhere attitude in a small package, the Panda has won over fans for its combination of capability, durability, and efficiency.

Information about the all-new 2013 Panda has come out ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show, and it looks to continue the Panda heritage well, yet integrates some of the latest Fiat styling. So what makes this different than any other "cute ute"?

First off, it's truly small with a 90.5" wheelbase and 145" overall length. That's the same as a Fiat 500's wheelbase and four inches longer than a 500. It also features Fiat's Torque on Demand four-wheel-drive system with an electronic locking differential for maximum off-road traction (Panda 4x4). In addition, the six-speed transmission has a low-range first gear; no word on the ratio, though. European engine choices will be an 900cc TwinAir Turbo making 85 horsepower and a 1.3-liter MultiJet II diesel making 75 horsepower. Suspension duties are handled by a MacPherson strut layout in front and a torsion beam rear. Fiat says it had off-road performance in mind when developing the suspension. Upping the Panda's off-road cred are underbody skid plates, unpainted lower moldings (no paint to scrape off), and a muffler that's raised for more clearance.

The next big question is will it be sold in North America? Currently Fiat North America only sells the 500 and 500c. There have been rumors of the Panda joining the Jeep lineup as a mini off roader. I'd love to see the Panda come to the U.S. either as a Fiat or a Jeep, as I believe we need more subcompact AWD/4WD models. (Just make sure it's got a manual trans option on the AWD/4WD versions.) I've long admired the capability of these little rigs; a vehicle such as this hasn't been seen since the disappearance of the Subaru Justy. Maybe it's time for a return?

Cars with manual windows, mirrors, and locks

Today we say farewell to our 2012 Nissan Versa 1.6 S sedan review vehicle. This Spartan car proved to be good in many respects, although basic. No power windows, now power locks, no power mirrors, etc. Frankly, I didn’t know there were any cars left on the U.S. market without these three power items. This prompted me to see which other new vehicles are available without power features:

Chevrolet Sonic: Manual windows and mirrors (LS)

Chevrolet Spark: Manual windows and locks (LS)

Ford Fiesta: Manual windows and locks (S)

Honda Civic: Manual windows (DX)

Jeep Patriot: Manual windows and mirrors (Sport)

Kia Rio: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (LX)

Kia Soul: Manual mirrors (Base)

Kia Forte: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (LX)

Nissan Versa: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (1.6 S)

Smart ForTwo: Manual windows and mirrors (Pure)

Toyota Yaris: Manual windows and mirrors (LE)

I think I hit almost all of them. Are there any 2012 or 2013 models that I missed? If so, let me know. Are you in a different country that the U.S.? Which cars don't have power locks, windows, or doors where you are?

Review: 2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4x4: A compact crossover from an off-road legend

The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot 4x4 has more ground clearance than many other small SUVs. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

No brand is more synonymous with life off the pavement, the outdoors, and four-wheel drive than Jeep. When most people think of Jeep, they likely think of the iconic Wrangler—a living off-road legend that can go through (and over) terrain most people would never dream of. I say this out of experience, as I’ve done quite a bit of off-roading in them. However, back in 2007, Jeep decided to try another avenue with its vehicles, and it introduced a car-based SUV with fully independent suspension. Gasp! Shunned by purists for its car-like features and less-aggressive off-road ability, the compact Jeep Patriot (and its cousins the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber) is based on a front-wheel-drive platform. Double gasp! The Patriot offers available all-wheel drive, and even the coveted Trail Rated badge, meaning the vehicle meets a certain level of off-road credibility. And while Jeep purists may scoff at the Patriot, I look at it as a good thing. See, if Jeep can sell more vehicles as a whole, it allows more money to be set aside to continue building vehicles such as the Wrangler. Plus, it brings in new blood to the brand.

In 2011, the Patriot got a slight exterior freshening and an interior retooling, both of which added nice touches to the vehicle, and those continue into 2012. There are several trim levels for the Patriot ranging from the base 2.0-liter front-drive model with crank windows and no air conditioning (well, it is a Jeep), to all-wheel drive versions with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine, a CVT with an off-road gear allowing for a pseudo crawl mode, and a suspension system with more ground clearance. There’s no transfer case like a true 4x4, but rather the CVT and center differential lock allow for slow going when you’d want it.

In the driveway: 2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude

In the driveway this week is Jeep's smallest offering, the Patriot. It looks like a refreshed Cherokee, but is actually on the old Dodge Caliber platform. This one is equipped with the dual vvt 2.4 liter engine and a CVT. I really like the updated styling vs. pre-2011 models.

So far the Patriot has proven comfortable and simple, which is great. It, unfortunately, has some squeaks and rattles with only 1,500 miles on it. Plus, after 50 miles, it's getting under 19 MPG. We'll see if the fuel economy goes up a bit as the week progresses. However, this model is only EPA rated at 20/23 (opt for the manual transmission and it'll net you 22/28). Stay tuned.

A bit bigger: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited—A luxury SUV from an off-road legend

Since its debut in 1993, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been known as a premium SUV from a company that’s legendary for its SUVs. Heck, they essentially created the 4x4. Now in its fourth iteration, the Grand Cherokee continues that legacy to yet another degree.

For 2011, the Grand Cherokee is all new and is ready to go head to head against the best luxury SUVs in the world.

On the outside, the Grand Cherokee is quite handsome with a chiseled, masculine, and sophisticated appearance. Looking great in a metallic red finish, my Limited model definitely has a premium look, but no one will mistake it for anything other than a Jeep. Of note are the great looking chrome 20” wheels and tires. Hold on: 20” wheels on a Jeep? Don’t worry—this is still a very capable off-road vehicle.

Speaking of, the new Grand Cherokee features an independent front and rear suspension; something that helps on-road handling, but isn’t typically associated with hard-core off-road capability. But, with Jeep’s latest drivetrain technology, the Grand Cherokee retains “mountain goat” status. An all-new sophisticated Selec-Terrain system employs an easy-to-use dial on the center console to select the specific terrain you encounter: snow, sport, sand/mud, and rocks (and an auto mode). Simply turn the dial to the needed terrain, and the SUV’s drivetrain adapts to the necessary condition. Indeed, this 4x4 model does have a true low-range transfer case for true off-road capability. In fact, I had a chance to take the truck on an off-road course with bumps, hills, off-camber crossings, and steeply angled ascents and descents. Without breaking a sweat, the Grand Cherokee crept and crawled easily over the terrain like it was child’s play. Remember, this is still a Jeep, and the Grand Cherokee is the real deal. Not to be ignored are its on-road manners, which are very good, too. The ride is top notch, and handling is very good for an SUV. It’s not meant for the twisties, but it certainly feels stable during cornering. It is a very comfortable cruiser, and its phenomenal turning radius makes it easy to drive in the city, too. Really, the turning radius is remarkable.

Although the standard engine is a powerful 3.6-liter V-6, my model had the gusty 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 creating 360 horsepower and 390 ft./lbs. of torque mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. All of this translates into brisk performance and the ability to tow up to 7,200 lbs. Of course along with a big V-8 comes big V-8 fuel economy. Rated at 13 city, 19 highway with the HEMI, the Grand Cherokee is a thirsty mode of transportation. The V-6 does deliver better numbers, but you’ll lose power and towing capability as well as that great V-8 sound.

One of my favorite parts of the Grand Cherokee is the interior. My test model had luxurious cream-colored leather with heated and air conditions seats; a well thought out touch-screen entertainment system with GPS navigation and a fantastic stereo system to the tune of 506 watts; easy Bluetooth connectivity;  an easy-to-use and very effective climate control system;  rear DVD player with screen; and even a heated steering wheel (a very nice feature for cold climates). The tech goodies don’t stop there, either. There’s active cruise control that automatically adjusts when approaching oncoming traffic; there’s blind spot detection that works very well at letting you know if there’s someone next to you; and an auto-opening rear tailgate. Unlike many other luxury vehicles of late (sedan, SUV, or what have you), the Grand Cherokee’s abundant technology works well and is pretty darn intuitive—something I’m a stickler for. The compliments continue on comfort, too, with great front bucket seats, and a good back seat, as well. It felt a bit smaller than some SUVs or CUVs, and there isn’t a third row. The cargo area, however, is quite spacious.

The new Grand Cherokee is solid in many ways. It offers solid performance, solid build quality, and is a solid buy for a luxury SUV (the test model hovered in the $45-$50K range). Well, it’s a solid value when put next to Land Rover’s LR4 (another off-road capable SUV), which starts at $48,500 and can climb to near $60K. (You can get into a 4x4 Grand Cherokee for as little as $32,215 with the V-6.) Plus, this is a vehicle that can hang in the rough stuff. Although it may not have the luxury clout of a Range Rover, it is less expensive, and equally as capable off the pavement—after all, this is a Jeep—and Jeep has a clout all its own.

RANT: Comparing the AWD Suzuki SX4's fuel economy to FWD subcompacts isn't fair

I was recently reading the long-term wrap up of the 2009 Suzuki SX4 AWD on Inside Line. I thought, overall, it was a pretty good review. However, they (like other media outlets and other people in general) griped about the car's fuel economy, which was an average of 23.2 MPG. They mentioned their long-term Honda Fit, which they said was "something of a competitor," averaged 31.4 MPG during its stay in the fleet. So what's my point? Here's a chart to get the point across:

	Suzuki SX4 AWD	FWD Honda Fit
Engine Size	2.0 liter	1.5 liter
Horsepower	143	117
MPG (city/hwy)	21/28	27/33

So yes, it makes sense that the FWD car with a 1.5-liter engine and 117 hp would get markedly better mileage than the AWD car with a 500cc-larger engine, 26 more hp, and 240 lbs. more weight (auto Fit Sport with navigation weighs 2,615 lbs.; auto AWD SX4 weighs 2,855 lbs.). If we're talking about the FWD SX4, then fine. Yes, it gets 22/30, which isn't as good as a Fit.

But since we're (and by "we're" I mean "I'm") talking about the AWD variant, the SX4 gets some of the best fuel economy of any AWD vehicle out there that isn't a hybrid. Since Inside Line used the automatic 2009 SX4 AWD, let's look at some other four-cylinder non-hybrid AWD vehicles with automatics from '09 and see what their fuel economies are:

Audi A3 Quattro	21/28
Ford Escape 4WD	19/25
Honda CR-V 4WD	20/26
Jeep Compass	21/24
Subaru Impreza	20/26
Toyota RAV4	21/27
Toyota Matrix AWD	20/26
Volvo S40 AWD	18/26

Yes, some of these cars are larger than the SX4, and that's fine if you want a bigger car. Do I wish my SX4 got more miles per gallon? Absolutely. However, I wanted a small vehicle with AWD, and fortunately for me, the SX4 is out there. Plus, I'm part of the 8–10 percent of the lunatic fringe looking for a car with a manual transmission. If you're like me (which is too bad for you), then your choices are now limited to the SX4, the Jeep Compass, the Subaru Impreza, and the Volvo S40 in terms of smaller AWD vehicles.

Oh, and by the way, for 2010, the SX4 AWD with its new CVT gets 23/29; the manual gets 22/30.

So there you go.

</rant>