[MaineRenegade]

Hi Everyone, i'm looking at getting a 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport and wanted to hear some thoughts on how well it should do in a Maine winter. I drove the Patriot and it just felt like a car, didn't really trust it but the Renegade felt much more up to the challenge. Wish I could afford the Trailhawk but the Sport 4x4 automatic is the only one in my budget. any thoughts?

 

[arild]

Hi Everyone, i'm looking at getting a 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport and wanted to hear some thoughts on how well it should do in a Maine winter. I drove the Patriot and it just felt like a car, didn't really trust it but the Renegade felt much more up to the challenge. Wish I could afford the Trailhawk but the Sport 4x4 automatic is the only one in my budget. any thoughts?

I don't know about the Maine winter, but here's what a Norwegian test from earlier this year said:


"With massive snowfall - and now rain - King Winter has really put the Jeep to the test, a test it tackles with praise."


Another test said the following:

"In the test period we had a good Norwegian winter with a nice mix of slippery asphalt, hard-packed snow and ice, as well as powder snow. We have become increasingly impressed with the behavior of the 4WD system which connects in automatically when needed, and the Jeep Renegade has one of the best systems we've tested in the compact SUV class."

 

[MaineRenegade]

I don't know about the Maine winter, but here's what a Norwegian test from earlier this year said:


"With massive snowfall - and now rain - King Winter has really put the Jeep to the test, a test it tackles with praise."


Another test said the following:

"In the test period we had a good Norwegian winter with a nice mix of slippery asphalt, hard-packed snow and ice, as well as powder snow. We have become increasingly impressed with the behavior of the 4WD system which connects in automatically when needed, and the Jeep Renegade has one of the best systems we've tested in the compact SUV class."

Thanks for the feedback! good to know! I have a feeling it should be up to the job

 

[Eric5273]

It's all about the tires. Change out the tires on the Sport for something more rugged and you will be fine in the snow.

 

[arild]

It's all about the tires. Change out the tires on the Sport for something more rugged and you will be fine in the snow.

Good point! The test cars in Norway are always supplied with winter tires. Tires that are far better than all season tires on snow and ice.

 

[tony]

Yup, tires are key, especially in cold weather conditions. Tires not rated for such conditions won't work as well in the cold.

 

[Foobar]

Here are a few videos I found showing how the Renegade does on Snow and Ice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znu_UIZji2g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xAP0Oz2mho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSrWID3RLrY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXyKsay8fBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCFgXbrAME4

 

[fmunk]

Hi Everyone, i'm looking at getting a 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport and wanted to hear some thoughts on how well it should do in a Maine winter. I drove the Patriot and it just felt like a car, didn't really trust it but the Renegade felt much more up to the challenge. Wish I could afford the Trailhawk but the Sport 4x4 automatic is the only one in my budget. any thoughts?

Even a 80s Saab with FWD can handle Maine winters (I know because one of my closest friends is from Maine). The drivetrain format isn't the issue. What you should be wondering is if the Renegade's (and Jeep's) reliability will or won't leave you stranded in Maine winter.

Disclaimer for the fanboys... I'm not saying all Renegades and Jeeps have poor reliability. The Renegade is too new to have a blanket statement like that to hold water. But, overall, the Jeep brand has a pretty low track record.

With proper maintenance, tires and vehicle handling skills, FWD/RWD/AWD really isn't the issue. If OP chooses to get a Renegade (or anything else) just be well-prepared for all eventualities (as one would anyways) and it will be fine.

 

[AllFours]

It's all about the tires. Change out the tires on the Sport for something more rugged and you will be fine in the snow.

What's are good snow tires to go with? Brand wise? I will definitely stock up on some winter tires and have them ready for the fall season.

 

[Foobar]

What's are good snow tires to go with? Brand wise? I will definitely stock up on some winter tires and have them ready for the fall season.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
Bridgestone BlizzakWS70

Can't go wrong with either of those two.

 

[bwbike]

Winter tires are absolutely the key to successful driving in a lot of snow or snow & ice.

My rear wheel drive Challenger with four studded Firestone Winterforce tires was excellent on any snow covered road. I've driven in unplowed snow (on the road) as deep as 8 inches. I'm sure the limited-slip rear differential helps, but it's the tires that make all the difference.

 

[Eric5273]

If you want to avoid the hassle of changing tires each winter and spring, then just put an all season A/T tire on like the ones that come on the Trailhawk or the Wrangler. There are actually quite a few to choose from in the 215/65/16 tires size that comes standard on the Sport.