Autoweek Renegade review
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753 Posts
Good read, and pretty much on par with my own feelings.
I love my Latitude, not only for all its glory but its little quirks too. As a prior Jeep owner I find the Easter Eggs amusing and silly, but also a little over-done. I think I don't mind them as much as some others have griped because I don't actually look for them. When I happen to notice one (that isn't in-your-face-obvious) it's because I happened to focus on something I hadn't yet focused on - usually because I'm cleaning, washing, installing, or digging around the nooks-and-crannys for some reason.
Other than the Easter Eggs, I really feel LilRed is a legit-for-real Jeep.
For the past 8 or 9 years I was driving a 2003 Durango. We had twins in 2005, and my 2-dr, '98 Cherokee with a 7+ inch lift just wasn't cutting it as a family truckster. So I traded in my '98 and tried to swallow the Durango pill. I never loved it, or had faith in it like I had with the prior Jeeps I had. It looked strong, but it didn't feel strong. I white knuckled every time I did something even remotely more-than-street-driving.
But LilRed brings me back to the days of having just bought my '98 Cherokee. It's stiff but comfortable. The steering is amazingly responsive. Now that I've got almost 1000 miles on it, the transmission (the auto-9) feels different. Smooth. Like it's "learned" my driving techniques. It's very zippy now, almost never feels like I'm in the wrong gear anymore. Especially looking forward to all the little things I can add to it, and do with it.
The little off-roading I've done with it so far only equates to unpaved, gravel, dirt, and a little dirt-road+whoop-de-dos. But not once did I cringe or white-knuckle at all. It felt like an old pair of jeans, in-its-element, meant-to-be - just plain comfortable.
I am so looking forward for all the "firsts" I get to experience in my Latitude. First mud-coated-paint-job, first serious water fording, first noticeable rock-crawl, first "oh $*!&" moment. I see years of fun and enjoyment in my future,
I love my Latitude, not only for all its glory but its little quirks too. As a prior Jeep owner I find the Easter Eggs amusing and silly, but also a little over-done. I think I don't mind them as much as some others have griped because I don't actually look for them. When I happen to notice one (that isn't in-your-face-obvious) it's because I happened to focus on something I hadn't yet focused on - usually because I'm cleaning, washing, installing, or digging around the nooks-and-crannys for some reason.
Other than the Easter Eggs, I really feel LilRed is a legit-for-real Jeep.
For the past 8 or 9 years I was driving a 2003 Durango. We had twins in 2005, and my 2-dr, '98 Cherokee with a 7+ inch lift just wasn't cutting it as a family truckster. So I traded in my '98 and tried to swallow the Durango pill. I never loved it, or had faith in it like I had with the prior Jeeps I had. It looked strong, but it didn't feel strong. I white knuckled every time I did something even remotely more-than-street-driving.
But LilRed brings me back to the days of having just bought my '98 Cherokee. It's stiff but comfortable. The steering is amazingly responsive. Now that I've got almost 1000 miles on it, the transmission (the auto-9) feels different. Smooth. Like it's "learned" my driving techniques. It's very zippy now, almost never feels like I'm in the wrong gear anymore. Especially looking forward to all the little things I can add to it, and do with it.
The little off-roading I've done with it so far only equates to unpaved, gravel, dirt, and a little dirt-road+whoop-de-dos. But not once did I cringe or white-knuckle at all. It felt like an old pair of jeans, in-its-element, meant-to-be - just plain comfortable.
I am so looking forward for all the "firsts" I get to experience in my Latitude. First mud-coated-paint-job, first serious water fording, first noticeable rock-crawl, first "oh $*!&" moment. I see years of fun and enjoyment in my future,
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162 Posts
My parents purchased a Jeep to tow behind their mobile home. I can't remember if it was a Liberty, Compass, or Patriot. They like it for the specific purpose it serves.
When I asked my dad's opinion of his Jeep, he told me I needed to seriously consider it. At that time the CR-V was the only real option. When I started reading about the Renegade, I test drove one. I was sold on the TrailHawk. While test driving the CR-V I put my foot in the fuel tank to see what it could do. It yawned at me. The drive was adequete, but boring. I was going to have a boring drive every day to work...
In comparison the TrailHawk jumped when I put my foot in it. Now, don't get me wrong, it didn't break traction, but the Jeep made it clear that we were going to go somewhere. The steering was COMPLETELY different. I felt like I was driving... a rally car? Responsive. The drive was far from boring. In fact I looked forward to getting behind the wheel again, and I hated driving.
Now, back to topic...
No, I have no interest in a Wrangler. If I wanted one, I would have bought one. What I wanted was a small CUV, 4WD, off road capability, MPG, and... fun. I live in Colorado. I drive a 1000 miles a week. I wanted a balance. Only the Renegade provided it. So no, I won't be "stepping up" to the Wrangler. If this vehicle continues to perform as admirably as it has, I'll be buying lots of Renegades. Probably, one every three to four years.
And my purchase of the Renegade may have been driven (PUNishment) by one of the Jeeps that people loathe...
BTW, I'm so sick of "welp, it's not a Wrangler, so is it a REAL Jeep?" I tell you what. Get your Juke, CX-5, CR-V, and whatever Toyota has, and follow me on the trail. One that makes it to the end... is a Jeep.
When I asked my dad's opinion of his Jeep, he told me I needed to seriously consider it. At that time the CR-V was the only real option. When I started reading about the Renegade, I test drove one. I was sold on the TrailHawk. While test driving the CR-V I put my foot in the fuel tank to see what it could do. It yawned at me. The drive was adequete, but boring. I was going to have a boring drive every day to work...
In comparison the TrailHawk jumped when I put my foot in it. Now, don't get me wrong, it didn't break traction, but the Jeep made it clear that we were going to go somewhere. The steering was COMPLETELY different. I felt like I was driving... a rally car? Responsive. The drive was far from boring. In fact I looked forward to getting behind the wheel again, and I hated driving.
Now, back to topic...
No, I have no interest in a Wrangler. If I wanted one, I would have bought one. What I wanted was a small CUV, 4WD, off road capability, MPG, and... fun. I live in Colorado. I drive a 1000 miles a week. I wanted a balance. Only the Renegade provided it. So no, I won't be "stepping up" to the Wrangler. If this vehicle continues to perform as admirably as it has, I'll be buying lots of Renegades. Probably, one every three to four years.
And my purchase of the Renegade may have been driven (PUNishment) by one of the Jeeps that people loathe...
BTW, I'm so sick of "welp, it's not a Wrangler, so is it a REAL Jeep?" I tell you what. Get your Juke, CX-5, CR-V, and whatever Toyota has, and follow me on the trail. One that makes it to the end... is a Jeep.
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471 Posts
I like the Easter eggs. There.... I said it. I think they make it more fun & interesting. I think what is overdone, is probably everyone talking about them so much & making such a big deal over them. I think it's a really nice touch & good to see the developers doing something different & unique! Also nice to see a positive review after the Consumer Report info being so negative. I think the longer the Renegade is around & the more kinks that are worked out, those people will be thinking differently.
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28 Posts
I like the Easter eggs too.... Life is meant to have a little silliness in it. I find them young in spirit and refreshing.
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74 Posts
LOL..I keep finding the easter eggs and laughing every time I spot one I hadn't noticed (mind you I've only had mine for a week today!)...I had the wrangler and have to say this ride (I got the limited) is impressive....the steering is the bomb....so responsive. We live in the mountains and on a long dirt/rock road and I don't even hear the 'pinging' of the rocks like I use to with the Wrangler....(I was dreading that lol)....
I have to admit I too was on the 'it's not a Jeep' bandwagon at 1st when I still had the wrangler, but TIRED of the 'wrangler upkeep' issues....I drove the Renny AND a new wrangler...Renny WON!
I have to admit I too was on the 'it's not a Jeep' bandwagon at 1st when I still had the wrangler, but TIRED of the 'wrangler upkeep' issues....I drove the Renny AND a new wrangler...Renny WON!
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753 Posts
I'm still having fun with the easter eggs. I "reward" my boys for finding one by letting the finder pick what we play on the stereo,
I test drove a new Wrangler, just to do it really - I knew I didn't plan on buying one. I haven't driven a Wrangler in years, but the new model is a big improvement over what I remember. But driving the Renny was like, holy-crow - so responsive, I was instantly hooked.
Hooray! Score another point for Renegade... The Wranglers I pass don't pay me much mind, like they're almost afraid to acknowledge me with the Jeep-wave. I get most waves and wave-backs from folks in older Cherokees. But, if I'm getting out of or walking back to my Latitude in a parking lot, Wrangler owners are always curious to take a look and ask questions.
Like they're gathering intel' for the opposing team, LOL.
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37 Posts
I certainly love the zippyness of My Renny, and I have took it on some trails that are rated around a 3 or 4. Not to Aggressive but it handled them with ease all the way through. I am excited for some winter roads as I am sure it will be excellent. I also love all the easter eggs. It gives the little guy even more character then it already has. Good read, in future models I would love to see the ability to remove the doors like they do on the Wrangler and hopefully have my sky at the same time to really make some fun Moab trips. If that were to happen I would sell and upgrade as quickly as I possibly could. But just me typing out loud.
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