Manual + 1.4L Test Drive Reports

14454 Views 31 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Spitfire, Aug 30, 2016

JayhawkOne

Discussion Starter · Jun 1, 2015

Now that the manual trans equipped Renegade's are popping up in dealers I'm curious what you all think!

Post your test drive experiences here!

Also include drivetrain type (4x4, 4x2) and trim level (Sport, Latitude)

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

hoodoo

· #2 · Jun 3, 2015

Thanks JayhawkOne! I have not been able to test drive a manual yet, but looking forward to reports from anyone who is able to find one and drive it. I have a Latitude with manual 1.4T, 4WD and My Sky on order. I did test drive a Limited with automatic and I really like the vehicle dimensions, mpg etc.

JeepNEWB

· #3 · Jun 3, 2015

Thanks for creating the thread Jayhawk!

I test drove a latitude 4x2 with the manual transmission and 1.4L (I want 4x4 but that was the only manual in the area)

For the most part, I liked it. The only vehicle i've driven with a manual transmission was an 85 Chevy S10 many years ago

.

I think the thing that bothered me the most was the sudden need to go from first to second, i felt like I should have been in First a bit longer but this thread (http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/fo...15921-anybody-have-1-4l-6-speed-renegade.html) answered some of my questions about that.

I'm holding out hope for the manual transmission for the 2.4L engine, but i'm not going to hold my breath much longer as I really want a renegade.

Happy Trails!

Reactions: 2

rambo

· #4 · Jun 3, 2015

JeepNEWB said:
Thanks for creating the thread Jayhawk!

I test drove a latitude 4x2 with the manual transmission and 1.4L (I want 4x4 but that was the only manual in the area)

For the most part, I liked it. The only vehicle i've driven with a manual transmission was an 85 Chevy S10 many years ago .

I think the thing that bothered me the most was the sudden need to go from first to second, i felt like I should have been in First a bit longer but this thread (http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/fo...15921-anybody-have-1-4l-6-speed-renegade.html) answered some of my questions about that.

I'm holding out hope for the manual transmission for the 2.4L engine, but i'm not going to hold my breath much longer as I really want a renegade.

Happy Trails!

Fortunately automatics theses days can be fun and peppy enough but of course there's nothing like having the sort of control that can be had with a manual!

Reactions: 2

hoodoo

· #5 · Jun 4, 2015

rambo said:
Fortunately automatics theses days can be fun and peppy enough but of course there's nothing like having the sort of control that can be had with a manual!

Manual transmission is the only way! For me at least. Love having the absolute control over when to shift with a fully analogue shifter. The +/- on the automatic just doesn't do it for me.

:ReneBlueWave:

Reactions: 2

veblenesque

· #6 · Jul 11, 2015

I test drove a manual 4x2 latitude yesterday. A bit of background - I only drive manuals and tend to prefer sporty hatchbacks (I currently drive a GTI and a BMW wagon) and used to own a 2013 WRX wagon. I also used to own a Suzuki Vitara (Sidekick replacement) which was a 4 cylinder 4x4 manual. I've autocrossed someone else's Abarth 500.

The conclusions are that this is the best driving manual truck/SUV out there right now. It is not, however, a big hatchback Abarth. It feels like a truck. You sit far back from the front, the seating position is elevated, the handling is firm but truck-like, steering feel is just OK, turn-in is not precise. The shifter is exceptional - the best I've ever used in a truck. Clutch is light and very similar to the Abarth 500. The engine is a lot of fun - a little slow to spool but tons of fun in the 4,500 - 6,000 range. This is a great little motor. Never feels fast, but it is zippy and the general feeling is a mini-truck with a spunky engine and great shifter.

I should also mention that I really liked the interior design. To me, this is much, much more appealing than a Wrangler. I'd swap out the cheesy RPM graphics, but everything else is cool.

I think if you love manuals and are looking for a little trucklet that puts a smile on your face, then this is definitely the car for you. I decided against ordering one, but if I got a deal on a discounted mysky manual 4x4 I'd buy it without hesitation.

Also, Fiat is completely missing the boat by not turning this into a mini truck. They'd sell 50,000 of them next year if they sold it as a Dodge Ram 100 truck in a largely untapped small truck market.

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Reactions: 2

hoodoo

· #7 · Jul 12, 2015

veblenesque said:
I think if you love manuals and are looking for a little trucklet that puts a smile on your face, then this is definitely the car for you. I decided against ordering one, but if I got a deal on a discounted mysky manual 4x4 I'd buy it without hesitation.

Thanks for the great review. This makes waiting for my manual Renegade even tougher! Once it's ready to go (which should be any day now) then it's another 4 weeks for it to get to San Diego and however long to truck here.

MJAB

· #8 · Jul 12, 2015

veblenesque said:
Also, Fiat is completely missing the boat by not turning this into a mini truck. They'd sell 50,000 of them next year if they sold it as a Dodge Ram 100 truck in a largely untapped small truck market.

Something like this?

It should be the new FCA pickup that will be built in Brazil at Pernambuco plant (same Jeep Renegade assembly line).
It has Jeep Renegade / Fiat 500X drivetrain, based same platform and rear suspension should be a modified version of Fiat Doblò / Ram Promaster City suspension. There will be FWD a 4x4 versions.
Production should start by the end of the year.
Rumors are that is also tested with 2.4 gasoline engine.

It is longer than a Jeep Renegade.

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Reactions: 2

dontpanic13

· #9 · Jul 12, 2015

My Latitude went into JB status on July 3rd so I'm really hoping to have it by early August. I ended up buying the 1.4L without even test driving it after reading so many good reviews.

ccchuck

· #10 · Jul 24, 2015

sigh...
so wanted a manual one, but they are not flat towable and I have to have that to tow behind my RV ( I work various locations that way). really odd that a manual trans isn't but...
Was really disappointing.

Jeexer13

· #11 · Jul 25, 2015

I am actually loving this engine/tranny combo...most cars i have owned are stick shift, plus a couple motorcycles, and i just hate the mundaneness of an auto. That being said there are advantages to auto as well, but me personally, i need 3 pedals. Even our Forester XT with paddle shifters, i just don't feel the control, though the 250 ponies are nice xD

This engine in the right gear can be very peppy, and if you downshift into the correct rpm's, can really take off. I love having the turbo kick in and just around 3200 is where I start to feel it come to life, and I rarely need to get above 5000, not sure if I even have. I know a lot of people say 1st gear is too quick, but I think it works just fine. I upshift right around 3-3500 rpm, and if I need to get off the line quick, I will get up to 4500. A lot of people don't expect the Rene to move but I get around them no problems. No shaking at idle, shifting is smooth, and I am getting quicker at them every day. I love this little SUV and am super happy with this 1.4T 6 speed!

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Melfi

· #12 · Jul 26, 2015

Just bought the Renegade 1.4 Latitude 4X4 manual with My Sky. It was hard to find but it is a lot of fun.

Busdriver

· #13 · Jul 30, 2015

Have 600 miles on my latitude 4x4. The need to shift from first to second does come quick. All in all, I'm experiencing a smooth shift pattern and responsive power.

Michael Osadciw

· #14 · May 5, 2016

Melfi, That's what model I think I'll be looking for too. How long did it take you to find? I'm coming off of a Fiesta lease so I'm trying to figure out how much lead time I'll need to have to decide. I'll be doing my test driving over the summer of the various makes I'm interested in (not many since I want to get a MT). I've been driving hatchbacks for years (Golf, Mazda3, Focus, Fiesta) so I'm curious how it compares to that. My wife has a CRV so I don't need to get anything that big.

kbagrows

· #15 · May 5, 2016

That's my model as well. Was able to find a few in the Chicago-land area - no wait. The dealer I purchased from has one 2015 Latitude left with MySky, but it is a 4x2. **** good deal though.

Jeepetto

· #16 · May 5, 2016

The My Sky is tough to find with the Cold weather package. Otherwise you should locate one no problem.

ODGreenFifteen

· #17 · May 7, 2016

If you think the 1.4 is peppy stock, you should feel it with a piggyback. Holy geeze.

(Jeepetto, hurry up and sell your shoes!!

)

Spitfire

· #18 · Jul 4, 2016

Good to read the positive reviews. I'm in the market for a small/medium SUV; my two must-haves are 4WD and manual shift--which, of course, limits my options.

Currently in a Suzuki GV with 2.7 V6 and 5-speed manual (wife's car is Suzuki SX4 with 6-speed manual). Test drove the Renegade 1.4 turbo with 6-speed manual, and it felt pretty good. I did feel the front seat was a bit tall in front--I'm short, and I'd like to be able to tilt the seat, but I'm told only the top trim levels have that. Also, the windows and hood seemed a bit high. Specific to the transmission, the clutch throw felt very short (which is fine), and I found I banged the lever against something every time I shifted into 5th. Definitely a bit of turbo lag, but it kicked in nicely as the revs picked up.

I do have some concerns about running such a small engine--I do a lot of highway driving, in the mountains, in all weather (including heavy snow), and I often carry a bit of a load. Also, after the test ride, I was playing with the controls and managed to get the display to show average mileage, which was 20 litres/100 km literally twice as bad as rated). Salesman says it's because the car had mostly idled (it had 51 km on it)--what are people really getting?

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The Drifter

· #19 · Jul 5, 2016

Spitfire said:
Good to read the positive reviews. I'm in the market for a small/medium SUV; my two must-haves are 4WD and manual shift--which, of course, limits my options.

Currently in a Suzuki GV with 2.7 V6 and 5-speed manual (wife's car is Suzuki SX4 with 6-speed manual). Test drove the Renegade 1.4 turbo with 6-speed manual, and it felt pretty good. I did feel the front seat was a bit tall in front--I'm short, and I'd like to be able to tilt the seat, but I'm told only the top trim levels have that. Also, the windows and hood seemed a bit high. Specific to the transmission, the clutch throw felt very short (which is fine), and I found I banged the lever against something every time I shifted into 5th. Definitely a bit of turbo lag, but it kicked in nicely as the revs picked up.

I do have some concerns about running such a small engine--I do a lot of highway driving, in the mountains, in all weather (including heavy snow), and I often carry a bit of a load. Also, after the test ride, I was playing with the controls and managed to get the display to show average mileage, which was 20 litres/100 km literally twice as bad as rated). Salesman says it's because the car had mostly idled (it had 51 km on it)--what are people really getting?

Are you in the UK? The UK and the USA 1.4L have different tunes, USA's is more powerful. I get 40 mpg highway at 70mph as long as I'm not on a hill. The Renegade does appeal more towards taller drivers, which is far more rare these days than a car that appeals to short drivers. I'm 6'4" (193 cm) tall, and was relieved to find that I did not have to slouch to keep my head from pressing on the ceiling.

Reactions: 1

kevinfourlegs

· #20 · Jul 5, 2016

Your mpg and mine aren't too dissimilar. I have a UK spec 1.4 turbo 6 manual 140hp fwd. With cruise control on the motorway 40 mpg is within reach.

The acceleration isn't bad for a small brick. Ok, so it ain't no Lamborghini, but it does pick up speed pretty well.

Mpg figures will vary, always have and always will. What the manufacturer lists is "for COMPARISON purposes only and is not representative of real world driving" it states in the small print in the brochures. The average mpg figure crept up a bit after I had the software update.

I'm not that tall, 5' 9" and find the driving position fine. The driver's seat is as high as it will go as I like the high position and it also makes it easier for me to get in and out of easily. Bonnet isn't too high and driving it is easy.

I have had my Renegade since 29th September 2015 and it is everything that I hoped it would be.

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