[stevenmartin95]

Hey guys,


Former 96 wrangler owner, current scion tC driver who misses the Jeep life. The renegade has peaked my interest, but I'm not sure which "trim" to go after. My wrangler was a manual and the tC is an auto, I have been craving the manual transmission ever since selling the wrangler. Because of that, I've been leaning toward just the 1.4L 4x4 sport. But, the biggest draw of the renegade is the off-road capabilities, and that is something I didn't take advantage of enough in the wrangler. I only plan on going on smaller off-roading adventures (at least that's what I'm telling myself) like beach driving and simpler dirt off roading. Will the manual sport be enough? Or should I drop the manual dream and bulk up to the Trailhawk? This car will be my main commuter too, 30 minute drives each way usually.



Can I get some pro/cons or just general opinions about which way I should go? I plan on driving both this weekend at a dealer but the doesnt tell me much about the other half of the vehicle.

 

[tdbmd]

Just purchased a used Trailhawk about a month ago. I have been surprised with the vehicle so far in regards to ride, MPG and 4x4 ability in the snow.

 

[wickwack]

The auto transmission sucks, I have a '16 TH and love the off road features but wish I had a 6 speed manual.

I'd go for a 1.4 with manual and put in aftermarket goodies to make it better off road.

 

[Xopher]

I have no issues with the automatic transmission. Some people have had clutch issues, and some have had automatic transmission issues. Coming from a Grand Cherokee that got 17mpg (13 in 4WD), bumping up to 24-27mpg was a welcome change.

I wouldn't expect the a Renegade to perform like a Wrangler, but I'd have no issues with light off-roading.

Something that is different between the Sport and Trailhawk models is the final drive, giving the Trailhawk a better crawl ratio. I noticed that when I had my Sport (4WD Auto), I got about 1-2mpg more than my current Trailhawk. With the final drive difference, my calculations are that 6th gear in the non-TH (automatic) is about the same gear ratio as 7th gear on the Trailhawk, which would explain why the Sport gets better gas mileage, as well as why the TH starts in 2nd gear instead of first (which it uses for 4x4 Low). From everyone I hear with the manual transmission, has mileage is even better.

As happy as I was with the Sport, I'm even happier with the Trailhawk.

 

[colorodo]

I have found the Automatic to be just fine and shifts great.

 

[JMMYE]

Hey guys,


Former 96 wrangler owner, current scion tC driver who misses the Jeep life. The renegade has peaked my interest, but I'm not sure which "trim" to go after. My wrangler was a manual and the tC is an auto, I have been craving the manual transmission ever since selling the wrangler. Because of that, I've been leaning toward just the 1.4L 4x4 sport. But, the biggest draw of the renegade is the off-road capabilities, and that is something I didn't take advantage of enough in the wrangler. I only plan on going on smaller off-roading adventures (at least that's what I'm telling myself) like beach driving and simpler dirt off roading. Will the manual sport be enough? Or should I drop the manual dream and bulk up to the Trailhawk? This car will be my main commuter too, 30 minute drives each way usually.



Can I get some pro/cons or just general opinions about which way I should go? I plan on driving both this weekend at a dealer but the doesnt tell me much about the other half of the vehicle.

After some deep investigation before my purchase I can help you with that.

Trailhawk EXCLUSIVE features
-Has Factory skid plates under the vehicle
-4 low/rock mode
-Factory tow hooks on front and rear
-Front bumper allows for far better approach angles vs other models
-And other features that are simply more commonly seen on Trailhawk such as heated seats or the larger navi screen.

If you really pay attention, you aren't getting a whole lot for the Trailhawk that makes it end all be all. EXCEPT for the 4low that's only on this trim, can you find a way to install it? I'm not sure...But I haven't bothered looking as I have a Trailhawk. You can get skid plates through AVID.com or ATP. Tow hooks aren't a big deal considering AVID for example have steel replacements that can solve that issue for you, along with the superior approach angles. So unless you gotta have that awesome navi, or something It's not necessary to buy. I would recommend it, but everyone is different and has difference circumstances. Good luck!

 

[Mrsig]

Both of our autos we have had 0 problems with.

The TH with the rear locker & 20 to 1, 4 low and stock skids, better suspension I think make it the best deal.
That is why we traded in our Latitude for a TH.

 

[Darb1177]

I owned a 2015 TH and now a 2019 TH I would not buy a Renegade in any other trim.

 

[dgr401]

I owned a 2015 TH and now a 2019 TH I would not buy a Renegade in any other trim.

How do you like the 2019 vs the 2015? How is the new motor? Other than the motor are there any noticeable differences?

 

[Darb1177]

How do you like the 2019 vs the 2015? How is the new motor? Other than the motor are there any noticeable differences?

I like the 1.4 turbo a lot more than the 2.4 tigershark. You can feel the turbo kick in and give you that extra umph you need. Seems to have a little more throttle response as well.

Other than that a lot of what has changed are quality of life things. Larger display, deeper storage above the auto shifter, bungie net storage front passenger side and in the rear, LED light package is a must. I had the premium sound package in the 15 and do not in the 19. It is noticeable but not killer. The biggest noticeable difference is that I no longer have the 15 that had all the growing pain quirks of a new launch vehicle. You get all the "things learned"/redesigned parts from the start. For its class the 4x4 capability and interior is above and beyond.

 

[dgr401]

I like the 1.4 turbo a lot more than the 2.4 tigershark. You can feel the turbo kick in and give you that extra umph you need. Seems to have a little more throttle response as well.

Other than that a lot of what has changed are quality of life things. Larger display, deeper storage above the auto shifter, bungie net storage front passenger side and in the rear, LED light package is a must. I had the premium sound package in the 15 and do not in the 19. It is noticeable but not killer. The biggest noticeable difference is that I no longer have the 15 that had all the growing pain quirks of a new launch vehicle. You get all the "things learned"/redesigned parts from the start. For its class the 4x4 capability and interior is above and beyond.

Thanks for the reply. Good luck with your new TH and enjoy it. Post some pictures when you get a chance. Thanks again.

 

[Darb1177]

Thanks for the reply. Good luck with your new TH and enjoy it. Post some pictures when you get a chance. Thanks again.

I do miss my FR-S though... That was a great car. I'm really interested in the next generation supposedly having 250hp....

 

[Karl Milhon]

After some deep investigation before my purchase I can help you with that.

Trailhawk EXCLUSIVE features
-Has Factory skid plates under the vehicle
-4 low/rock mode
-Factory tow hooks on front and rear
-Front bumper allows for far better approach angles vs other models
-And other features that are simply more commonly seen on Trailhawk such as heated seats or the larger navi screen.

If you really pay attention, you aren't getting a whole lot for the Trailhawk that makes it end all be all. EXCEPT for the 4low that's only on this trim, can you find a way to install it? I'm not sure...But I haven't bothered looking as I have a Trailhawk. You can get skid plates through AVID.com or ATP. Tow hooks aren't a big deal considering AVID for example have steel replacements that can solve that issue for you, along with the superior approach angles. So unless you gotta have that awesome navi, or something It's not necessary to buy. I would recommend it, but everyone is different and has difference circumstances. Good luck!

i got an 18 Red Latitude in June with everything except the sun roof. Navi, the goodie package with the 110, cold weather package (heated seats/wheel), 8.4 radio, tow package etc. It cost me 22K with all the incentives including the dealership wanting it gone as the last 18 on their lot, including the MOPAR lifetime warranty as the final sweetener from them. It was the only loaded latitude and originally was priced with a basic Trailhawk so, everyone went with the Trailhawks and this wouldn't move. I could have gotten a White (I hate white) Trailhawk with no tow the smaller radio and no navi for the same price from a sister dealership in Missoula (my dealer would get)... Flipped a coin (and Latitudes had 1K better incentives) and went with this as we do love the 8.4 navi on the significant other's Cherokee and the 8.4 w/o navi in my Ram.

So, I basically got a fully loaded Renegade for the price of a base one. I intend to get the skid plates and the AVID Contour bumper (on the waiting list right now) and the Rocky Road rock rails. I'll end up at about 2K installed.

I live in MT and do NOT intend to go Jeep Wrangler Rubicon OFF road, but do spend a lot of time on the Nat Forest Roads and the various side roads off of them. (See Park Lake/Tizer Lake/Hogback Mountain etc.) I have found Sand mode to be like a pleasant Easter Egg in terms of the transmission on Nat Forest Roads. 45 to 50 (on the right roads) is the sweet spot for washboard. Sand mode keeps the tranny in a higher rev mode always in the power band and provides good engine decelaration going downhill similar to tow haul in the truck. As you may have noticed, the manual downshift on the ZF is almost dangerous in it NOT doing what it is supposed to in auto for oh, about as long as it is taking me to write this sentence...

So, I'm looking foward to my mods. Now, if AVID will just get to making more Contour front bumpers... Even my installer is excited as there are a lot of Renegades up here in the Helena MT area. I didn't realize how many till I did a 2900 mile trip to Oregon in the truck and saw how few there were elsewhere. People up here love Jeeps and the Renegades let them get in one relatively inexpensively. Oh, I love the 24 mpg I'm getting vs the 13 mpg in the Ram. That is worth about a hundred bucks a month and is taking the load off my trailer towing vehicle.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

Good write-up.
Thanks for sharing.