[Willy]

Renegade vs Patriot and Compass

So the Renegade is intended to replace the two bottom end models in Jeeps lineup, hopefully the Renegade can bring more raw Jeep DNA to the table than Compass or Patriot ever could. I decided to throw together a little comparison, see if we can't start to get a feeling for what exactly we will have on out hands.

Current spy shots reveal next to nothing about the Jeepseter except for the fact it will be riding on a FIAT 500X platform. However there are reports that the Jeepseter will wear classic Willys styling. The Compass and Patriot have always been under fire for being Jeeps only in name. Don't be fooled by the spy shots the Renegade will be much more angular and butch than its Jellybean brother. Its possible that Renegade will pull heavily from the Renegade concept from a few years back or perhaps it goes the route of these speculative renders.

U.S. Power could come courtesy of either the Jeep Cherokee's 2.4-liter 184-hp I-4, or the Fiat 500L's 160-hp 1.4-liter turbo-4, perhaps even a diesel will be in the cards for North America. The Dodge Ram has one after all. Im hopping for the Cherokees Tigershark to be honest, it would serve as a bump in power over the outgoing Patriot and Compass which both utilize a 2.0L 4 making 158 hp or an optional 2.4L making 172 HP. Although Jeep will likely offer two engine choices.

The most exciting part of all of this is that the Renegade is expected to receive a Trail Hawk derivative, something neither the Compass and Patriot had. The Renegade is going to be wearing the name of an iconic Willys model, it better offer stellar performance or it will be castrated by enthusiasts.

Interestingly the Renegade will be produced alongside the 500L and 500X at FIATs production facility in Melfi, Italy. The Compass and Patriot were both produced domestically at Jeeps Belvedere plant. I wonder if this decision is based on where Jeep sees the demand to come from, perhaps they are expecting Europe to drive sales of the baby jeep?

Also keep in mind that Jeep is pondering an additional compact model to slot in between Renegade and Cherokee, think Subaru Forester. Renegade will make its official debut at Geneva in March of this year.

 

[Rivmage]

IW: Compare Renegade to Patriot/Compass.

PJ: We said we've got to be better than what we currently offer in our Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass off-road packages.

Starting with basic dimensions, the approach angle on the Renegade is right around 30 degrees. The prior approach angle on Patriot was around 29 degrees. So, we've got a little more on approach. On departure, we're right around 34 degrees and Patriot/Compass was 34 or 33 depending on fascia. Breakover is 25 degrees [Renegade] and was 24 degrees [Patriot/Compass]. We're within 6mm on overall ground clearance on both vehicles.

We tried to make sure we hit those points because the best way to make it through things is not to hit things.

Now, as you get into the AWD, 4x4 system, the Compass/Patriot is pretty much a standard mechanical system with no real disconnecting technology. On the Compass/Patriot, you had a 19:1 crawl ratio and on the Renegade you'll get a 20:1. The reason we get a little more now is because we put the 9-speed against the 2.4 and, with a 1st gear ratio of 4.7 combined with a 4.334 drive ratio, we can get that lower crawl ratio. Tractive force? When we compare the old Compass/Patriot world engine with the 2.4 Tigershark in the Renegade, we get about 16 percent more low-end torque, then you get more multiplication of that with the lower ratio.

With Selec-Terrain in Compass/Patriot, you either lock 4WD Low on or you don't. IN this vehicle, you can lock 4-Low, but like on the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee, you get Sand, Mud and Rock flexibility and that allows us to get into shifting, engine output, driveline controls, ESC yaw controls, wheel spin speeds; those controls and technologies we did not have six to eight years ago.

 

[tony]

That decent clearance on the front end, people familiar with the Patriot/Compass should have a good idea of how good or even bad this is.

 

[bunburry]

Renegade vs Patriot

Ok so for those of you familiar with the Trail Rated Patriot this should smooth out some doubts.

http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/will-the-2015-jeep-renegade-be-any-good-off-road-1580389048

Phil Jansen VLE:

We said we've got to be better than what we currently offer in our Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass off-road packages.

Starting with basic dimensions, the approach angle on the Renegade is right around 30 degrees. The prior approach angle on Patriot was around 29 degrees. So, we've got a little more on approach. On departure, we're right around 34 degrees and Patriot/Compass was 34 or 33 depending on fascia. Breakover is 25 degrees [Renegade] and was 24 degrees [Patriot/Compass]. We're within 6mm on overall ground clearance on both vehicles.

Renegade has 20:1 crawl vs Patriots 19:1
Renegade has 16% more low down torque

 

[tony]

Now we just have to see this beast in action, surprised we haven't seen anything too indepth on this

 

[4x4]

renegade is a big deal for jeep

they have to do it right the first time

 

[tony]

So far they seem to have, now it's up to it's performance and how it serves the people that will be driving it, hopefully it holds up well.