[Karamich]

This past friday I dropped my Patriot at my Jeep dealer service department here in Montreal and while waiting for my lift I ran to spend about 10 minutes in a Limited blue Renegade sitting in the showroom.

Putting the shorter size on the side, my first funny impression while looking at the Renegade for the first time and then sliding in the driver seat is that the Renegade is like a Patriot that went into the "Pimp My Ride process"

Those who own a Patriot will feel as if they are into a funkier, more refined and modern version of their Patriot... Just like in the pictures and videos, the Renegade looks good in real life and I still think it is a pretty designed inside out...

I kind of felt at home in the driver position, everything seemed familiar to me, as if I was sitting in my Patriot, except for the more upscale everything...

On the other hand, it took me a minute to feel that the fabric seats were much stiffer than those in my Patriot and I had the impression that they might not be ideal for long roads...

I am 6'2" and I have to bring my driver seat all the way back in my Patriot and in the Renegade. Now when I went to the back seats of the Renegade, I had a hard time getting inside and outside. Smaller people will be OK yet I don't think it is a comfortable car to travel with across long distances...

The overall quality of the material is fair. The combination of hard and soft material for the dashboard and all around is reasonable considering its class but when we think about the price (here in Canada) we might start to wonder if this is a good deal...

Yes the pillars are a little on the large size and backward visibility is not the best out there... My Patriot is not radically better in that aspect but considering its straight forward boxy design, the Patriot has square windows that help more than the profiled ones of the Renegade...

Not that the Renegade is small, on the opposite, it has a high and bold presence but when we start to compare the sizes, the cargo space of a Patriot looks like a bed of a Pickup truck compared to the Renegade's cargo area. Yes not allot of cargo room. Kind of like a Soul...

Other than that I saw a couple of glitches such as sections of the wheel arch plastic moulding have gaps between them and the frame and that can make rain or water fill the space and make rust unavoidable...

That was my 10 minutes impression of a Limited Renegade from a showroom here in Montreal

Oh and the sticker price of this one was around 34.000$ Canadian before taxes and all the junk that you might pay before having the keys

Cheers

 

[toaster5]

I'm also 6'2 and I found I had plenty of space. There was about 2 and a half inches above my head in the driver seat.

 

[mayor557]

I used to be 6'1" but with age have settled to six foot. So I fit fine in the Renegade

 

[RenegadeQC]

just buy mine yesterday, I'll get it Friday afternoon!

had to try it before and I'm 6'4"1/2 and feel really comfortable, plenty of space but still have the same problem as other vehicles, my eyes are too high so I'm almost looking at the Sungard panel.

so under 6'4" you'll be OK!

 

[raz-0]

I'm 6'7". I don't have the seat lowered all the way down, and I don't have it pushed all the way back, AND I can adjust the tilt/telescope steering wheel so I can actually fit my legs under the steering wheel, something I usually only get to do in a full sized truck/suv like a tacoma or such.

When someone 6'1" says they don't fit, I wonder what kind of a mutant they are having legs up to their armpits, or just how they use a car, because I can't picture it.

As RenegadeQC says, as a tall person you are still near the roof line, but it's not as bad as some cars, and it's helped by the fact the car is higher and thus you are sort of looking down to see the critical traffic rather than straight out.

 

[SemperFi]

I'm 6'7". I don't have the seat lowered all the way down, and I don't have it pushed all the way back, AND I can adjust the tilt/telescope steering wheel so I can actually fit my legs under the steering wheel, something I usually only get to do in a full sized truck/suv like a tacoma or such.

When someone 6'1" says they don't fit, I wonder what kind of a mutant they are having legs up to their armpits, or just how they use a car, because I can't picture it.

As RenegadeQC says, as a tall person you are still near the roof line, but it's not as bad as some cars, and it's helped by the fact the car is higher and thus you are sort of looking down to see the critical traffic rather than straight out.

Exactly, I am 6'6" and it seems that people that are shorter then me, but "tall" have more size issues then I do (not that anyone here is stating that, just in general) There is plenty of room in the Reny! I actually dont even put the seat all the way back as well, that is until the round knob housing thing on the right side knee starts bugging me - but that's because a generally sit with my legs spread a bit more then most folks only then might I slide the seat all the way back. Although I will admit it is a tad difficult to get out of at times, but I am getting used to it.

 

[hoodoo]

I'm 6'7". I don't have the seat lowered all the way down, and I don't have it pushed all the way back, AND I can adjust the tilt/telescope steering wheel so I can actually fit my legs under the steering wheel, something I usually only get to do in a full sized truck/suv like a tacoma or such.

When someone 6'1" says they don't fit, I wonder what kind of a mutant they are having legs up to their armpits, or just how they use a car, because I can't picture it.

Exactly. I'm 6'3" and don't put the seat all the way back. It feels comfortable to me with it forward a bit from the farthest back setting. My son is the same height as me and can fit behind me no problem. Of course he will be sitting behind the passenger seat if I'm driving as there's even more room there.

 

[raz-0]

Although I will admit it is a tad difficult to get out of at times, but I am getting used to it.

I don't think it's hard, I think it's gets odd because the seat plays the role of the b-pillar in the whole exit and entry dance, which is odd for tall folks. Most cars, stick us with having to clear the b-pillar becuase the seat is all the way back.

 

[SemperFi]

I don't think it's hard, I think it's gets odd because the seat plays the role of the b-pillar in the whole exit and entry dance, which is odd for tall folks. Most cars, stick us with having to clear the b-pillar becuase the seat is all the way back.

True, do you find yourself hitting the rubber trim strip with your foot on the bottom of the door as you get out? I do it all the time, it makes me cringe because the edge peels up every time, My fear is it will eventually start wear and fold up, rip with repeated contact. I have to make a conscious effort to lift my foot just a tad higher each time i get out. I wonder if the floor mats go over that part..

 

[raz-0]

True, do you find yourself hitting the rubber trim strip with your foot on the bottom of the door as you get out? I do it all the time, it makes me cringe because the edge peels up every time, My fear is it will eventually start wear and fold up, rip with repeated contact. I have to make a conscious effort to lift my foot just a tad higher each time i get out. I wonder if the floor mats go over that part..

Yes, but not as badly as you do. Still makes me cringe and I make an effort to not do it.

 

[rambo]

I heard of dealers giving people vehicles for an entire day to test in their usual day-to-day commutes and think if you could have gotten that with the Renegade it might help you out more... like knowing how comfortable it will be in busy rush hour commutes where you're on the road for an hour at a time or more.

 

[twospirits]

When someone 6'1" says they don't fit, I wonder what kind of a mutant they are having legs up to their armpits, or just how they use a car, because I can't picture it.

I don't think mutants would take kindly to that comment. They have feelings too. >

I heard of dealers giving people vehicles for an entire day to test in their usual day-to-day commutes and think if you could have gotten that with the Renegade it might help you out more... like knowing how comfortable it will be in busy rush hour commutes where you're on the road for an hour at a time or more.

A whole day! I don't think that will ever work here in NYC. Although it would be great.

TS