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Having watched the 4xe for 6 months or so, we decided to purchase a low mileage ex-demonstrator vehicle. The user reviews available at the time were usually done by a blogger that has been offered the vehicle for a day or 2 and didn't really offer the 'owner experience' we wanted to hear about. Hence the reason for hopefully informing those on this forum that might be tempted.
Firstly, for background, we upgraded from a 2.0l Diesel Tough Mudder version (the Renegade 4x4 capabilities ideally suit the snow conditions we get here in the hilly part of northern England). The manufacturer's warranty was about to expire and the electric capabilities suited the wife's 8 mile round trip commute to work.
The ride is much like the previous Renegade. Haven't had a chance to try the 4x4 element as it hasn't snowed since we purchased but I suspect it would be on a par with the previous (which was quite impressive and why we decided to stick with the Jeep name). Uconnect 8.4" is a vast improvement on the 5" previous one with the addition of the data connection allowing remote interaction (changing charge schedule, remote switching of cabin conditioning etc). Frustratingly the Send n Go function for the SatNav has not been implemented yet in the UK (a function I use all the time on my other vehicle). This information doesn't seem to be readily available on any of the Jeep/Fiat customer/technical assistance website's and I only found this out by contacting FCA directly.
The interior only has slight subtle changes from the previous Renegade (these changes are probably seen in the latest non-hybrid versions, I haven't investigated those variants).
The big area lacking in other reviews is the day to day economy, the reason being the economy varies wildly. For my wife's daily commute, we are getting pretty close to 'the' 26 miles on a battery charge. We live in the hills which does have an impact on the battery life (although the braking and coasting regeneration systems do a pretty decent job in topping the battery up). I'd say we get about 22-23 miles out of a charge with no heating or Aircon on. Obviously those will affect the mileage. So you could say we are getting 'Infinite' mpg. But 26miles is not realistic range so you eventually need hybrid mode for longer journeys.
From our 4 weeks experience with the vehicle, I assessed 2 journey's. A 50 mile journey and a 90 mile journey. Both had undulating hills predominantly. Electric was the dominant hybrid mode initially (aside from a couple of steeper uphill portions where the petrol engine kicked in). At a shade over the 25 mile mark, the battery was more or less at 3% and the combination of petrol or electrical engine did the driving depending on how much regeneration had taken place into the battery. At approx 45 miles on the 90 mile journey the mpg dipped below 99.9 (the highest displayed figure. Anything above that is a guess). The recorded figure at the end of 90 miles was 60mpg (not sure if that's US or Imp). On the 50 mile round trip, the consumption was 80mpg but this journey did have more hills in general. Both journeys were driven in a conservative manner.
We haven't yet taken it on a journey in excess of 100 miles but looking at the instantaneous consumption, it ranges between 6mpg (heavy acceleration) to 70mpg (flat road at suburban speeds). My estimate would be somewhere around the 35-45mpg depending on variables (less if you want to use the full armoury of 240hp).
It does shift more abruptly than the 2.0l Diesel version we had, which we were also pleased with.
My only reservation is the petrol engine, when needed, can kick in from cold to delivering 3-4000rpm. I'm not sure this is ideal. It can also be a little excitable in its rpm management.
Conclusion. You really need to use the battery to warrant purchasing. The much higher price tag doesn't warrant the extra hp in my opinion. Therefore on longer journey's this becomes a burden. We charge with a standard house socket and it charges overnight (usually within 5 1/2 hours on a reduced amperage charging schedule we set up and when the electricity rates are lower). We haven't purchased a quick charge lead (which we would need for away from home charging) but it is limited to 7.3kw so if you wanted a charge when on a journey it would take circa 90mins. It does suit us due to the ability to not use petrol at all for my wife's commute. It would definitely suit an urban situation but in that case, the models down from the Trailhawk (which don't have Rock 4x4 mode) would suffice.
There's an insight anyway. If you want any more info please feel free to PM me.
Firstly, for background, we upgraded from a 2.0l Diesel Tough Mudder version (the Renegade 4x4 capabilities ideally suit the snow conditions we get here in the hilly part of northern England). The manufacturer's warranty was about to expire and the electric capabilities suited the wife's 8 mile round trip commute to work.
The ride is much like the previous Renegade. Haven't had a chance to try the 4x4 element as it hasn't snowed since we purchased but I suspect it would be on a par with the previous (which was quite impressive and why we decided to stick with the Jeep name). Uconnect 8.4" is a vast improvement on the 5" previous one with the addition of the data connection allowing remote interaction (changing charge schedule, remote switching of cabin conditioning etc). Frustratingly the Send n Go function for the SatNav has not been implemented yet in the UK (a function I use all the time on my other vehicle). This information doesn't seem to be readily available on any of the Jeep/Fiat customer/technical assistance website's and I only found this out by contacting FCA directly.
The interior only has slight subtle changes from the previous Renegade (these changes are probably seen in the latest non-hybrid versions, I haven't investigated those variants).
The big area lacking in other reviews is the day to day economy, the reason being the economy varies wildly. For my wife's daily commute, we are getting pretty close to 'the' 26 miles on a battery charge. We live in the hills which does have an impact on the battery life (although the braking and coasting regeneration systems do a pretty decent job in topping the battery up). I'd say we get about 22-23 miles out of a charge with no heating or Aircon on. Obviously those will affect the mileage. So you could say we are getting 'Infinite' mpg. But 26miles is not realistic range so you eventually need hybrid mode for longer journeys.
From our 4 weeks experience with the vehicle, I assessed 2 journey's. A 50 mile journey and a 90 mile journey. Both had undulating hills predominantly. Electric was the dominant hybrid mode initially (aside from a couple of steeper uphill portions where the petrol engine kicked in). At a shade over the 25 mile mark, the battery was more or less at 3% and the combination of petrol or electrical engine did the driving depending on how much regeneration had taken place into the battery. At approx 45 miles on the 90 mile journey the mpg dipped below 99.9 (the highest displayed figure. Anything above that is a guess). The recorded figure at the end of 90 miles was 60mpg (not sure if that's US or Imp). On the 50 mile round trip, the consumption was 80mpg but this journey did have more hills in general. Both journeys were driven in a conservative manner.
We haven't yet taken it on a journey in excess of 100 miles but looking at the instantaneous consumption, it ranges between 6mpg (heavy acceleration) to 70mpg (flat road at suburban speeds). My estimate would be somewhere around the 35-45mpg depending on variables (less if you want to use the full armoury of 240hp).
It does shift more abruptly than the 2.0l Diesel version we had, which we were also pleased with.
My only reservation is the petrol engine, when needed, can kick in from cold to delivering 3-4000rpm. I'm not sure this is ideal. It can also be a little excitable in its rpm management.
Conclusion. You really need to use the battery to warrant purchasing. The much higher price tag doesn't warrant the extra hp in my opinion. Therefore on longer journey's this becomes a burden. We charge with a standard house socket and it charges overnight (usually within 5 1/2 hours on a reduced amperage charging schedule we set up and when the electricity rates are lower). We haven't purchased a quick charge lead (which we would need for away from home charging) but it is limited to 7.3kw so if you wanted a charge when on a journey it would take circa 90mins. It does suit us due to the ability to not use petrol at all for my wife's commute. It would definitely suit an urban situation but in that case, the models down from the Trailhawk (which don't have Rock 4x4 mode) would suffice.
There's an insight anyway. If you want any more info please feel free to PM me.
