Trailhawk--test drove both the Renegade and the Cherokee Sunday

52948 Views 48 Replies 22 Participants Last post by bwbike, Apr 8, 2015

arizonapaul

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2015

Strange thing happened at the dealer Sunday. I went in with my wife to test drive both of the above mentioned vehicle's. I was basically going to make sure the Renegade was for my wife and she liked it. Then after talking to our sales rep, he came to the same conclusion that I was already thinking. First of all, the Renegade that I was going to "build' for my wife, was basically loaded and topping out at 32,500.
The Cherokee Trailhawks can be bought for the same price, give a take a few options either way, and I was driving one well loaded for a price of 32,000 after incentive and rebates.

For me, its a no brainer, the Cherokee is by far a much more superior vehicle. Now hear me out, because the Renegade is still a great ride, but if and only if you are going to load up the Renegade with options pushing over 30,000, you might want to take a look at the Cherokee.
The rebates and incentives are into the 4000 range to bring the price down and its worth a look.

I do think a 23 to 24000 Renegade certainly has its place, and that's where it will probably fit it. Just look at the first batch of Renegades, very few options on them. They know what they are doing and in fact got me to decide to buy the Cherokee Trailhawk.

Please don't bash my thread as I really wanted the renegade to fit into my plans, but I am glad I kept an open mind.

thanks for reading

1 - 20 of 49 Posts

Slawek

· #2 · Mar 30, 2015

I am in similar position. I am looking for a new Jeep for my wife, either Renegade or Cherokee.
There is only $2k difference in MSRP between these two with the same options. For Cherokee Latitude there is a manufacturer rebate $2250. It means in March price for both is the same, assuming dealer rebate is similar.
Why buy smaller when you can have bigger for the same price?
Renegade rear seats are for kids below 10 year old only, while Cherokees rear seats are comfortable. Front seats are similar or maybe even the same. Renegade trunk is only little bit smaller.

arizonapaul

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 30, 2015

Slawek said:
I am in similar position. I am looking for a new Jeep for my wife, either Renegade or Cherokee.
There is only $2k difference in MSRP between these two with the same options. For Cherokee Latitude there is a manufacturer rebate $2250. It means in March price for both is the same, assuming dealer rebate is similar.
Why buy smaller when you can have bigger for the same price?
Renegade rear seats are for kids below 10 year old only, while Cherokees rear seats are comfortable. Front seats are similar or maybe even the same. Renegade trunk is only little bit smaller.

Wow, funny you should mention back seats, I sat back there for the Renegade test drive, and I would not like to be back there for a long drive. It was a huge difference in comfort between the 2 rides.

Also, the huge glass power roof is really nice, and it was another huge disappointment that the renegade did not offer a see-through roof.

CalTom

· #4 · Mar 30, 2015

Slawek said:
Why buy smaller when you can have bigger for the same price?

Because some of us are tired of larger and want to go smaller. Easier parking, easier turning and the Renegade looks cooler.

Reactions: 3

The_Warlin

· #5 · Mar 30, 2015 (Edited)

arizonapaul said:
the Cherokee is by far a much more superior vehicle.

Just something to think about is apparently the Renegade is a better off-roader when comparing common angles. Better mpg too. As an added bonus you get to avoid the look of the Cherokee haha. Just a thought.

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Slawek

· #6 · Mar 30, 2015

My wife drives a lot on forest roads, so the bigger tires the better.
Renegade 215/65R16
Cherokee 225/65R17
Renegade tires are sedan size, I am not sure suitable to go on unpaved road.

Slawek

· #7 · Mar 30, 2015

CalTom said:
Because some of us are tired of larger and want to go smaller. Easier parking, easier turning and the Renegade looks cooler.

That's why we consider Renegade as it is smaller and cool looking
But for driving with reasonable speed on forest roads tires are too small.

The_Warlin

· #8 · Mar 30, 2015

Slawek said:
My wife drives a lot on forest roads, so the bigger tires the better.
Renegade 215/65R16
Cherokee 225/65R17
Renegade tires are sedan size, I am not sure suitable to go on unpaved road.

True but you can fit up to 235/65/17 on the trail hawk without modification. Some nice A/T should do fine with those. Again though to each their own. I guess I'm kind of a fan boy of the Renegade. My first vehicle ever was a 2001 Cherokee which I loved, but the new ones I guess just don't hit the sweet spot in me that that one did.

Slawek

· #9 · Mar 30, 2015

The_Warlin said:
True but you can fit up to 235/65/17 on the trail hawk without modification. Some nice A/T should do fine with those. Again though to each their own. I guess I'm kind of a fan boy of the Renegade. My first vehicle ever was a 2001 Cherokee which I loved, but the new ones I guess just don't hit the sweet spot in me that that one did.

I didn't know you can fit 235/65R17 in Trailhawk.

I rented Cherokee Latitude 4x4 for a day and drove it on forest roads. It was good enough. Tires where 225/65R17 and there was no space at all to fit bigger tire.

jlipinski3

· #10 · Mar 30, 2015

CalTom said:
Because some of us are tired of larger and want to go smaller. Easier parking, easier turning and the Renegade looks cooler.

Yeah totally in that boat. And the Cherokee tries really hard to be Land Rover-type modern but fails miserably as an imposter. The Renegade is fugly and wears it proudly.

Coming from a car background (WRX, Volvo S40 AWD turbo, Ralliart sportback), I'm not fond of these bulbous SUVs nowadays. They're HUGE. You know, years ago, the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Subaru Forester were compact SUVs. Now they are monstrous.

Renegade is well-sized & delivers good mpg.

One car I have considered though is the Audi Q3...if you look, you can find one in the low 30s...panoramic sunroof, push button start, quattro, and it's an Audi. Resale value++. It's just 2" lower clearance and the inability to lock the full-time 4WD is a negative to me. But for some of you, might be a good option.

Reactions: 1

redbuckeye

· #11 · Mar 30, 2015

arizonapaul said:
...For me, its a no brainer, the Cherokee is by far a much more superior vehicle. Now hear me out, because the Renegade is still a great ride, but if and only if you are going to load up the Renegade with options pushing over 30,000, you might want to take a look at the Cherokee.
The rebates and incentives are into the 4000 range to bring the price down and its worth a look.

Please don't bash my thread as I really wanted the renegade to fit into my plans, but I am glad I kept an open mind.

Glad you started this thread. I feel like I am the only one cross shopping a Renegade and Cherokee.

My personal scorecard:

* Front seat comfort: Cherokee wins
* Rear seat comfort: Cherokee (unless you are 6'2" and over -- then head room becomes a problem in the Cherokee but not the Renegade). Cushion is much better, though legroom isn't as much of a liability in the Renegade as I thought.
* Grown up feel: My biggest gripe with the Renegade is the ridiculously small center console. I mean it feels and looks like a large mushroom.
* Reliability: Renegade gets the benefit of the doubt and that's based solely on an uninformed hunch. And this is the biggest thing holding me back from the Cherokee, which racks up horror stories faster than Steven King.
* Looks: Draw - totally subjective. I like them both.
* Weight: Renegade wins hands down
* Sunroof: Lean Renegade -- I like the Renegade option better (even without the glass), but this is very subjective as others clearly like the panoramic
* Cargo Space: Both are similar with the seats down, but Cherokee wins in usable space (with the seats up and more square space).
* Transmission: Renegade wins. The option for a manual is what also draws me to the Renegade over the Cherokee -- at the very least to avoid becoming another Cherokee horror story.
* Price: Renegade wins, but...
* Value: Cherokee seems to win based on more incentives and a higher quality feel to the cabin. This is probably just temporary, though.

Cherokee reliability, the lack of a manual option in the Cherokee, and my love of the MySky option are the things making my decision more difficult.

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arizonapaul

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 30, 2015

jlipinski3 said:
Yeah totally in that boat. And the Cherokee tries really hard to be Land Rover-type modern but fails miserably as an imposter. The Renegade is fugly and wears it proudly.

Coming from a car background (WRX, Volvo S40 AWD turbo, Ralliart sportback), I'm not fond of these bulbous SUVs nowadays. They're HUGE. You know, years ago, the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Subaru Forester were compact SUVs. Now they are monstrous.

Renegade is well-sized & delivers good mpg.

One car I have considered though is the Audi Q3...if you look, you can find one in the low 30s...panoramic sunroof, push button start, quattro, and it's an Audi. Resale value++. It's just 2" lower clearance and the inability to lock the full-time 4WD is a negative to me. But for some of you, might be a good option.

We looked at the Q3, and also the acura, too plain jain for us. Was also eyeballing the 2016 Discovery sport by Land Rover. Built out nicely for 44000 though. not out till may/june though

arizonapaul

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 30, 2015

If you have 14 minutes or so, watch this video on these guys taking the Cherokee off road. im totally impressed, I would not think it could of done this. And im sure the renegade can too.

Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyJBr9O-u8g

Indiana Jones

· #14 · Mar 30, 2015

Slawek said:
That's why we consider Renegade as it is smaller and cool looking
But for driving with reasonable speed on forest roads tires are too small.

You can change tire size and type. Plus the Renegade weighs less so you don't need as much tire. You step down to a 16" on the Renegade and all new option s open as far as tire type.

arizonapaul said:
If you have 14 minutes or so, watch this video on these guys taking the Cherokee off road. im totally impressed, I would not think it could of done this. And im sure the renegade can too.

Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyJBr9O-u8g

I think it is possible that the Renegade could do better given it's better angles.

Slawek

· #15 · Mar 30, 2015

Indiana Jones said:
You can change tire size and type. Plus the Renegade weighs less so you don't need as much tire. You step down to a 16" on the Renegade and all new option s open as far as tire type.

I think it is possible that the Renegade could do better given it's better angles.

Going 5mph over rocks is not the same as 40mph over bumpy road.

Indiana Jones

· #16 · Mar 30, 2015

Slawek said:
Going 5mph over rocks is not the same as 40mph over bumpy road.

True... have you even tried it with a stock Renegade? What a vehicle can take at 40 MPH also depends on wheel base and suspension just as much if not more. The Renegades wheel base is the same as a an old Cherokee XJ also and mixed with Koni FSD shocks I will to bet it will do better than what you think.

MJAB

· #17 · Mar 30, 2015

You should consider that Renegade Trailhawk and Cherokee Trailhawk have the same ground clereance, 8.7".
Suspension travel is the same for the front, but Renegade rear suspension travel is higher, it should be 8.1" for the Renegade vs. 7.8" for the Cherokee.
As other posted the Renegade angles are better, since "bumper" design and because shorter wheelbase the breakover angle is better (wheelbase 101.2" vs 106").

So for a forest road Renegade has better "numbers", but it would be better, if possible, to test both on a forest road like the one You do usually.

Slawek

· #18 · Mar 30, 2015

Indiana Jones said:
True... have you even tried it with a stock Renegade? What a vehicle can take at 40 MPH also depends on wheel base and suspension just as much if not more. The Renegades wheel base is the same as a an old Cherokee XJ also and mixed with Koni FSD shocks I will to bet it will do better than what you think.

I tried only Cherokee Latitude 4x4 which was good.

My wife test drove today Renegade and called me that she wants it.
So we have to decide between Renegade Latitude with Bark Brown interior and maybe fit bigger tires or Trailhawk, which comes only with black interior she doesn't like.

I am going to measure suspension in Latitude and Trailhawk and then decide.

Slawek

· #19 · Mar 30, 2015

MJAB said:
You should consider that Renegade Trailhawk and Cherokee Trailhawk have the same ground clereance, 8.7".
Suspension travel is the same for the front, but Renegade rear suspension travel is higher, it should be 8.1" for the Renegade vs. 7.8" for the Cherokee.
As other posted the Renegade angles are better, since "bumper" design and because shorter wheelbase the breakover angle is better (wheelbase 101.2" vs 106").

So for a forest road Renegade has better "numbers", but it would be better, if possible, to test both on a forest road like the one You do usually.

I am not sure if suspension in Renegade Trailhawk and Latitude is different.
It is different in Cherokee.
Testing on forest road will be ultimate test. My local dealer even wants to give it to me for a day, so I don't have to rent.

CalTom

· #20 · Mar 30, 2015

Slawek said:
I am not sure if suspension in Renegade Trailhawk and Latitude is different.

The Renegade Trailhawk has a .8 inch lift over the Renegade Latitude.

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