[Jessica08]

I told my dad I was looking at a Renegade so he got on Jeep's website to check them out as well. He says I would be happier in a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee because you can get the 6 cylinder engine. He's concerned about the Renegade only having a 4 cylinder. I told him it wasn't a sports car. Haha. But I've only had three vehicles in my life (2- TJ Wranglers; Envoy). All three have had a 6 cylinder engine.

Should this concern me on the Renegade? What are your thoughts on the engine?

 

[blueliner18]

I told my dad I was looking at a Renegade so he got on Jeep's website to check them out as well. He says I would be happier in a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee because you can get the 6 cylinder engine. He's concerned about the Renegade only having a 4 cylinder. I told him it wasn't a sports car. Haha. But I've only had three vehicles in my life (2- TJ Wranglers; Envoy). All three have had a 6 cylinder engine.

Should this concern me on the Renegade? What are your thoughts on the engine?

Jessica the Renegade has more power than any other vehicle in it's class (I4 2.4, 180HP) except the Nissan Juke (188HP), but the Juke also will never perform like the Renegade off the road. I am also willing to bet that the Renegade can out perform Juke in winter and moderate to heavy snow conditions. The Cherokee has the same engine (I4 2.4) unless you choose the $$$$ upgrade to the V6 at which point you would probably want to consider a Grand Cherokee anyway. The Grand Cherokee is a very difficult comparison because it is truly in a completely different vehicle class. Yes the Grand Cherokee has more power, but there is also considerably more vehicle. Plus you are looking at a base price tag of $36k for a Grand Cherokee vesus $26k for a Renegade Trailhawk. I have an 07 Patriot and the Renegade feels a lot more adequate than my Patriot. The Patriots CVT transmission is what really kills its "zip" IMO. I also had a 94 Wrangler Rio Grande with a 4 cylinder automatic setup, and I can most definitely tell you Renegade would pull away from that with ease after a 1/4 mile on a 15% grade. Like you said it's a Jeep not a sports car. If your father is concerned about highway speeds I'm not sure any Jeep is the right vehicle (perhaps ask him what he thinks you need V6 power for). Grand Cherokee is definitely a larger and more powerful vehicle, but also comes with a much heavier cost, both invoice and to own (gas). Until I see Consumer Reports, Car and Driver, Edmunds, or Automobile degrading the Renegade because of its lack of power (all of which in Renegade reviews said how well the engine performed)... I'll suggest Renegade over the Cherokee any day.

 

[bwbike]

I had hoped for a more powerful engine but the 2.4 moves the car around well. I didn't feel that the 1.4T manual transmission that I drove (Fiat 500L) had quite as much zip.

Of course, I like a lot of power in my cars. My other car has a 485 hp V8 and manual transmission. And even that can get well over 25 mpg on the highway with careful driving technique.

The car I'm trading in today has a 375 hp V8 and manual transmission (I'll miss that car).:crying:

 

[The_Warlin]

Should this concern me on the Renegade? What are your thoughts on the engine?

I honestly don't think you'll feel much of a difference. All the other cars you mentioned are much larger, much heavier vehicles. But it kinda depends on your drive style. Something to think about thought is the price difference of a V6 Cherokee vs a Renegade (also the ugliness of the Cherokee factors in, in my opinion). You get so much more for your money with a Renegade I think. However if you had the money, I'd go Grand Cherokee.

 

[MooCowDanger]

Not bad.

I traded in my 2012 Dodge Charger (6 cylinder) and was nervous about moving to an engine this small. You are not going to win any races, but the 9 gears in the automatic does an excellent job keeping you in the correct power range. If you're on the highway, it will drop down a few gears if you want to pass. After I passed the 300 mile 'break in' period, I was able to really test the engine. I am completely happy with how my renegade performs.

 

[blueliner18]

I had hoped for a more powerful engine but the 2.4 moves the car around well. I didn't feel that the 1.4T manual transmission that I drove (Fiat 500L) had quite as much zip.

Of course, I like a lot of power in my cars. My other car has a 485 hp V8 and manual transmission. And even that can get well over 25 mpg on the highway with careful driving technique.

The car I'm trading in today has a 375 hp V8 and manual transmission (I'll miss that car).:crying:

OPEC must love you sir!!!! LOL ...careful driving technique? You mean downhill both directions?!? Ha, I kid, I kid... I was just caught off guard when we went from I4 2.4, 180HP to 485HP... c'mon seriously fess up your second vehicle is an F16 Raptor isn't it!!!!:laugh:

 

[Jessica08]

I honestly don't think you'll feel much of a difference. All the other cars you mentioned are much larger, much heavier vehicles. But it kinda depends on your drive style. Something to think about thought is the price difference of a V6 Cherokee vs a Renegade (also the ugliness of the Cherokee factors in, in my opinion). You get so much more for your money with a Renegade I think. However if you had the money, I'd go Grand Cherokee.

I like the looks of the Grand Cherokee Altitude limited edition, but of course it is about $10K plus than the Renegade that I am wanting.

I tried to make myself like the Cherokee, but that front end kills it for me.

 

[blueliner18]

Yeah, you are comparing apples to oranges in both price and performance in terms of Grand Cherokee vs. Renegade. If they would have made the Cherokee a "mini-me" Grand Cherokee especially in the front end, the looks would be A LOT more aesthetically pleasing. My best advice, if you are buying, get what you want.

 

[jlipinski3]

This is the MAIN reason I can't justify a 28k trailhawk. When I test drove it, the thing was gutless. I just had my deposit refunded.

My girlfriend has a 170hp forester and ive always had an AWD car with a 225hp+ engine. Every time I drive the 170hp engine on the highway I can't stand it. The renegade was the same way.

Could I live with it? Sure. Worth 30k? He11 no.

And no mysky? Jeezus. This is a joke. The trailhawk should be 3-4k cheaper.

 

[Slawek]

What's the point of having bigger engine? Just for show?

Speed limit on highway is 70mph. Driving in USA is not like in Germany where minimum speed is 75mph or like in Poland, where all vehicles on left lane were moving at 120mph when I was there year ago.

I test drove Renegade and since I obey to speed limits 4 cylinder engine is good enough.

 

[bwbike]

OPEC must love you sir!!!! LOL ...careful driving technique? You mean downhill both directions?!? Ha, I kid, I kid... I was just caught off guard when we went from I4 2.4, 180HP to 485HP... c'mon seriously fess up your second vehicle is an F16 Raptor isn't it!!!!:laugh:

No, my other vehicle is a Challenger Scat Pack. This Challenger has the 6.4L engine (the older one had the 5.7L engine). And sure it uses a lot of gas if you put your foot in it a lot, but I don't race around in it. With gradual acceleration, the 6.4L Challenger can get just under 30 mpg on the highway at 55 mph on mostly flat highway. City driving yields closer to 20 mpg.

And honestly, the Renegade likely will only do a little better on the highway. Its boxy shape hurts it a little. And you really have to get your foot in it to get it going where the Challenger barely needs the pedal pressed to get it going.

 

[bwbike]

What's the point of having bigger engine? Just for show? . . .

No, it is just the idea of all that power on tap. I am a speed limit driver, but once in a blue moon I'll wind it up from ~10 to 65 mph (the maximum speed limit here) just to get a grin. It reminds me of my first car; a 1966 Chevelle but the Challenger has three times the power.

The sound of the factory exhaust just delights me.

 

[The_Warlin]

What's the point of having bigger engine? Just for show?

Speed limit on highway is 70mph. Driving in USA is not like in Germany where minimum speed is 75mph or like in Poland, where all vehicles on left lane were moving at 120mph when I was there year ago.

I test drove Renegade and since I obey to speed limits 4 cylinder engine is good enough.

I feel the same way: I guess I'm a granny driver. And if I paid a lot for a vehicle to do something extraordinary it would be off road capabilities. In my opinion going fast is just insanely dangerous and irresponsible. And I see no point in paying a lot of money for a "fast" car, because you'll never really be that fast. There will always be someone faster than you in some way. I have just never understood why regular citizens will pursue a "speedy" vehicle. Just me though.

 

[bwbike]

It's not having a "fast" car, but having a cool car with a satisfying rumble just like the old days. I don't exceed the speed limit and have no intention to find out what the Challenger is capable of.

Like I wrote earlier, once in a blue moon I'll accelerate to the highway speed limit just to get that feeling of power. Maybe some on here feel the same way when they drive their vehicle over gnarly terrain that only a 4x4 can tackle.

 

[CalTom]

I understand...

 

[blueliner18]

No, my other vehicle is a Challenger Scat Pack. This Challenger has the 6.4L engine (the older one had the 5.7L engine). And sure it uses a lot of gas if you put your foot in it a lot, but I don't race around in it. With gradual acceleration, the 6.4L Challenger can get just under 30 mpg on the highway at 55 mph on mostly flat highway. City driving yields closer to 20 mpg.

And honestly, the Renegade likely will only do a little better on the highway. Its boxy shape hurts it a little. And you really have to get your foot in it to get it going where the Challenger barely needs the pedal pressed to get it going.

Sweet! I bet that sucker purs nicely. Me, I'll be happy if I can find a TH at the right price so I can get out of my old and tired Patriot. Honestly I really liked it when I bought it in 07, but the interior is so cheap and plain that it lost its appeal quickly. Unfortunately the TH is priced a little too high IMO, and I can't justify buying a 4WD Latitude when it invoices just shy of a base TH. I wish I could wait until the hype dies and the price dips, but the situation I am in is pressing me to get a vehicle before May 31st. C'mon Memorial Day Sales Event!!!!! LOL

 

[JNJ]

I told my dad I was looking at a Renegade so he got on Jeep's website to check them out as well. He says I would be happier in a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee because you can get the 6 cylinder engine. He's concerned about the Renegade only having a 4 cylinder. I told him it wasn't a sports car. Haha. But I've only had three vehicles in my life (2- TJ Wranglers; Envoy). All three have had a 6 cylinder engine.

Should this concern me on the Renegade? What are your thoughts on the engine?

My wife and I had some similar reservations but after test driving the 2.4L + the 9spd auto it was more than enough for her needs. We live off of a major motorway where there are no frontage roads so 0-45mph is pretty important so we don't get rear ended when pulling out in traffic. We traded our '12 Ford Fusion 4cyl for the Renegade for several reasons one of which being much better 0-45mph performance in the Renegade. This was also the reason why I traded my '13 Ford Focus for a '14 Dodge Charger. Well that and I love how the Charger looks.

 

[Bionic]

I have an Element with a 5-speed stick. Going to the Renegade Trailhawk isn't going to be a problem, the power/weight ratio favors the Trailhawk. I've driven the Trailhawk in a test drive gently and it kept going into the 55mph buzzer without me even wanting it to. (One feature I will never use on mine!) I have kind of a lead foot, but I'm not at all worried the Renegade won't have enough power.

 

[Ndpdnt1]

The Cherokee was definitely to much vehicle for this engine, but I feel it is well suited for the Renegade. I also would like to see a V6 offered (More power Scotty! the old side of me), but it is not offered.


The 2.4 is little noisy when you get on it, didn't care for it at first, but now I like it.


I love the styling of the Cherokee and Renegade, bold and different! Most other automakers have the same front end, in any size you want.


I wouldn't consider a Grand Cherokee, IMHO it looks dated.

 

[Esla-Una]

Prove to yourself that the Renegade has an adequate engine size. You have two engine sizes to choose from: a 2.4L four-cylinder and a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder. Take them both out for a test drive at a dealership. A dealer’s test drive is free but you only get about 15-20 minutes of driving time. You could also rent a Renegade from a car rental company for a day or a car sharing company like Zipcar by the hour. That is, if you can find any that have Renegades because it so recently went into production. Drive the Renegade in stop-and-go traffic, expressways, and everything in between. Test drive other CUVs that are similar in size to the Renegade and compare them.