I test drove a black Latitude here in CT today, 9 speed auto, 2.4, nicely loaded with power seats, heated steering wheel, all that stuff. I had mixed feelings about the car, which I'll list below. Bottom line - we might buy one in a few months, but we're going to go cross-shop some other vehicles first.
Our first impression walking up to the Renegade was that it's huge. But I knew better. The Renegade is an inch shorter than my Soul, the same width, but a crucial 3" higher. The blocky design makes it look much bigger than it really is.
My 5'0" wife almost couldn't sit in the driver's seat because the thigh support goes out so far. With longer legs, it was comfortable for me. If you're short, think about the seats. She said it was literally painful to get through a 15 minute test drive.
The seating height was awesome if you're into high seating (we are). We parked our Soul next to the Renegade to compare, and our eyes were at least a full head higher in the Renegade.
The driving dynamics were fine. The car is reasonably quiet and goes about its duties in a competent manner. Unless you're an idiot on the road, this car has higher limits than you, but that goes for any 2015 car you buy.
The interior materials were a nice quality and a soft look. I frankly expected a much more garish interior from the pictures, but it was OK if you like a macho American truck design aesthetic. I found the Jeep Easter eggs tedious after about 30 seconds.
If you like things square and solid, and you like feeling like you're in a tank riding down the road - this is your vehicle. In fact, my wife liked it for that very reason. And the dealer told us he could shorten the seat a bit for her.
If you like your design sparse, restrained, elegant and European - this ain't that. A good example are the huge A-pillars. I felt like I was looking at the world ahead through a tank periscope. Rear visibility was OK.
Drive it for yourself and make your own conclusions. I sort of liked it, but it didn't blow me away.
Our first impression walking up to the Renegade was that it's huge. But I knew better. The Renegade is an inch shorter than my Soul, the same width, but a crucial 3" higher. The blocky design makes it look much bigger than it really is.
My 5'0" wife almost couldn't sit in the driver's seat because the thigh support goes out so far. With longer legs, it was comfortable for me. If you're short, think about the seats. She said it was literally painful to get through a 15 minute test drive.
The seating height was awesome if you're into high seating (we are). We parked our Soul next to the Renegade to compare, and our eyes were at least a full head higher in the Renegade.
The driving dynamics were fine. The car is reasonably quiet and goes about its duties in a competent manner. Unless you're an idiot on the road, this car has higher limits than you, but that goes for any 2015 car you buy.
The interior materials were a nice quality and a soft look. I frankly expected a much more garish interior from the pictures, but it was OK if you like a macho American truck design aesthetic. I found the Jeep Easter eggs tedious after about 30 seconds.
If you like things square and solid, and you like feeling like you're in a tank riding down the road - this is your vehicle. In fact, my wife liked it for that very reason. And the dealer told us he could shorten the seat a bit for her.
If you like your design sparse, restrained, elegant and European - this ain't that. A good example are the huge A-pillars. I felt like I was looking at the world ahead through a tank periscope. Rear visibility was OK.
Drive it for yourself and make your own conclusions. I sort of liked it, but it didn't blow me away.
