Gee, Steve...it seems that folks here love to call facts OPINIONS. I don't have an opinion on the Renegade. I simply listed the facts:
1) The Renegade is down on power and very slow. 180 HP in this car is not much and the published 0-60 times make this obvious. I don't have an "opinion" that this is slow. It IS slow.
2) The Renegade, with the shorter wheelbase and harder working engine, is louder and less comfortable over long hauls. I don't have an "opinion" on that either. It's a fact.
3) The Cherokee is larger and roomier. It has a better larger NAV system and more cargo capacity.
4) For near the cost of a Limited I got a nicely equipped Cherokee. That's not an "opinion" either.
5) The Cherokee has better roadholding/grip and handling than the Renegade.
I gave no opinions for the most part, so what exactly are you on about? Are you suggesting that the Renegade is quick? Or that it has more comfort? I'm not sure what all the debate is over. If the Renegade works for you, that's great, but it's the lowest rung on the Jeep ladder.
Since this forum area is ABOUT COMPARISONS, what is all the drama about? And so far as your other comments, try to restrain yourself from attacking me. You notice I'm not attacking anyone, just sticking with the cars we're discussing. My income and personal lifestyle are not relevant.
Robert
What is being compared? If one wants to compare Jeep model specs, Jeep has a very good website for that. If one wants to comoare the Renegade to what other manufacturers have in the same class or price, that's another matter.
Whether a vehicle is over/under-powered is subjective at best. Any driver worth his/her salt should know how to get the most of what the engineers have designed. Also any engineer who pushes an engine and/or transmission to its maximum possible output (e.g., makng it work harder) to satisfy the oower-mad does so by sacrificing durability and longevity.
Roadhandling and grip? Have never seen a quantitative metric for it. Changing sets/brands of tires give a different feel for any vehicle, and it again is a subjective measure.
Comfort on long haul? Another subjective measure, My longest Renegade ride has been 110 miles and was subjectively as comfortable as the 2014 Merc C250 it replaced.
The Renegade indeed has a shorter wheelbase and smaller cargo area than the Cherokee. So what? Vehicle models are often larger/smaller than other models to satisfy market demographics. It doesn't mean the larger model is better - if that were true the Porsche Cayenne would be "better" than the P 911.
So, there are facts, but there's more subjective opinion. All the keystrokes in the world can't change subjective opinion into fact.
Again, there are great factual comparisons of Jeep models on the Jeep website, and the factual differences satisfy the wants and needs of different folk. And that's how it should be. Comparing Jeep models at a model owners site does little, while comparing other makers' similar vehicles (factually and subjectively) is enlightening.
I've owned a couple Cherokees in the past and test-drove the latest edition. It's a nice vehicle, but I too can give a list of reasons why it subjectively doesn't meet my wants and needs better than the Renegade. I just don't think my subjective opinions regarding one Jeep model over another have any comoarative value on a site such as this one. If such an opinion had value to be on the Cherokee forum, then I'd post it on the Cherokee forum. I didn't because it doesn't.
Again, I hope your Cherokee is the best one ever to come off the production line, but it indeed is meant for a different market demographic. Otherwise, why would Jeep build multiple models, all of whch can get priced in many levels?
