Two versions of rubber mats explained
There is quite a lot of confusion regarding the rubber mat issue on trailhawks. This confusion extends all the way to Jeep management who can't easily make light of the "** Late availability" compared to their own sales sheets that show the trailhawks should be coming with [flat] rubber mats.
I spoke with one of the Renegade product managers at Easter Jeep Safari this year about exactly this floor mat issue and can shed some light on the issue.
There are two versions of rubber mats. One is the "slush" style mats that are technically a Mopar "accessory". These mats are distinguished by the raised rubber rim (as high as two inches in some places) all the way around the mat that mostly hugs the floor contours, and the rear mat is a single piece with a bridge over the drive shaft tunnel.
The slush style mats _are_ currently available.
The rubber mats that are supposed to be included on the vehicles is a conventional flat rubber mat without a raised lip, and the rear mats are two separate pieces. However, these rubber mats have the same decorative motif of the grid with splatter design, so without looking specifically at the rim style or connected rear mat.
The reason I have been told for the late availability of the meant-to-be-included mats is that in order to make the drivers pedal foot area safer, the splatter design - which is actually a raised feature - needed to be raised more to smooth out the pedal foot location and make it easier to move your feet without it hanging up on the mat. This is similar in design to the usual plastic strip under the pedals on certain manufacturers carpeted mats. Consequently retooling was required and carpeted mats were substituted.
