Both the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 have the 2.4L and weight about the same as the Renegade. They aren't fast cars but, they are able to get up and go as needed. Test drive it and see for yourself, everyone has a different ideal power and speed level.We just bought a Cherokee for my wife last week, but I've been eyeing the Renegade for myself since the Geneva event in March.
The 2.4 in the (much heavier) Cherokee was grossly under-powered and we went with the 3.2L V6. What can be reasonably expected from the 2.4L in the Renegade which should scale in at 1000 lbs less?
I'm not expecting a Hemi, but I do want a vehicle capable of aggressive manuvering when it is warranted.
For towing? Probably. Especially so if you are talking the upper end of towing capacity or the grade. It isn't going to be fast even on it's own. the 2.5 cx-5 0-60 is 7.8 and the smaller displacement engine is 9.2. The kia soul 2.0 was 7.8 and now is 8.1 or 8.3 depending on who you ask. The old scion xB whis was pretty close in size to the renegade was 7.8. The new version which is a bit bigger is 8.6.Should we be concerned about if it will be powerful enough when going up hill? I hope it won't be sluggish.
Odds are what you felt was weigh, electronic throttle mapping choices, and the fact that the subaru 2.5 is a bit more torquey than the 2.4l tiger shark. But the awd outback, 4x4 patriot and 4x4 renegade are all around the same weight. The cherokee with 4x4 and the 2.4 is 4044lbs where the trailhawk renegade is supposed to be 3490 and the 4x4 2.4l non trailhawk is supposed to be 3311.I agree you need to try it yourself and judge based on need and references (cars you already owned)...
I myself test drove the Cherokee (North aka Latitude) 2.4 when it came out last year, and it felt underpowered vs weight.
Note that I own a Patriot and it is also on the underpower slugish side however I thought the Cherokee was worth in terms of feeling. I initially thought that perhaps because the gaz pedal of the Cherokee was softer than the one in my Patriot, thus it might exagerate the feeling of a weak engine ... Just guessing
Later I test drove the Cherokee Trailhawk V6 and it was a smooth beauty... But too expensive for me... And gaz is a factor...
On the other side, I test drove lately the Subaru Outback 2015 with its 2.5 and it was so smooth and responsive considering its size and weight... I loved it...
Another conclusion is that I suspect now that the CVT in the Outback and Patriot help compensate for weak engines vs weight while the not so optimal 9 speed transmition in the Cherokee (and Renegade) might accentuate the weakness of an engine
It is only my conclusions and I again advise you to test drove and judge
Cheers
Thanks for the info. Yeah if I fill the seats of the Patriot as well as the cargo area, it will become a lazy elephantOdds are what you felt was weigh, electronic throttle mapping choices, and the fact that the subaru 2.5 is a bit more torquey than the 2.4l tiger shark. But the awd outback, 4x4 patriot and 4x4 renegade are all around the same weight. The cherokee with 4x4 and the 2.4 is 4044lbs where the trailhawk renegade is supposed to be 3490 and the 4x4 2.4l non trailhawk is supposed to be 3311.
adding half or more of the maximum passenger and internal cargo capcity to the patriot would probably have made it feel like a pig as well.
on it's own without a load it's towing it should be fine.Thanks for your feedback and welcome to the forum
I agree, it's all about experiencing it. You can only get so much of it from reading and wathcing videos.
