The Jeep Renegade Might Be The Cherokee's Newest Problem

"Blake Noble" (no-bull)
03/04/2014 at 10:00 • Filed to: Fact Or Opinion?

On Sunday, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of the 2015 Jeep Renegade, the newest addition to the Jeep lineup !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! this month's Geneva Auto Show. From there, word of the Fiat-based small SUV quickly made its way around to other news outlets and forums like blotter sheets at Bonnaroo.

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Reactions to the Renegade — much like the 2014 Cherokee when images of it leaked out shortly before this time last year — have been polarized. Some adore it and its oddball chunky styling, while others who see it as an insult to the Jeep name because of its Italian front-drive origins would prefer to strap it to its own weight in Tannerite and use it as a giant Sparkling Fountain come this July Fourth.

Regardless of whatever you might think, this diminutive crossover for cheapskates and first-time Jeepers seems surprisingly capable after you read the specifications sheet. And that's also where you'll start to notice something interesting unfold once you begin comparing it to the Cherokee.

The Renegade in off-road ready Trailhawk trim !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! If that sounds familiar to you, that's because the bigger and likely more expensive Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk also has 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Renegade's approach, breakover, and departure angles (30.5, 25.7, and 34.3 respectively) are also generally better than the Cherokee's (29.9, 22.9, and 32.2 respectively).

The new Renegade shares it's four-wheel drive system (that can also pretend it's sorta kinda rear-drive), optional 2.4L four-cylinder engine and standard nine-speed automatic with the larger Cherokee. Dimensions wise? The Renegade is very close in size to the original XJ Cherokee more so than the Cherokee itself is — both the Renegade and the old XJ ride on a roughly 101 inch wheelbase, with the Renegade being just a bit shorter than the XJ and the XJ just a touch narrower than the Renegade.

Even more interesting, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on their vehicle for added Rubicon Trail prowess. Cherokee owners, on the other hand, have been !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

So here's the problem: if you're wanting an off-road capable crossover SUV, why on Earth would you buy the likely more expensive Cherokee over the Renegade? Sure the Cherokee is just a bit larger and offers the Pentastar V6 as an option, but if I'm to believe the press release in front of me, it's far worse out in the rough than the new XJ? Renegade.

Hell, I'll be honest: now I'm sitting here wondering who at Fiat-Chrysler managed to mix the names of these two Jeeps up.

Blake Noble manages !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which you can find on Twitter !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . In less than a decade, he's owned more than a handful of derelict and less-than-devine automobiles, including two barely functional Camaros and an '80s Buick having a post-midlife crisis. That is, really, in no way impressive and is just plain sad, you're right. All hate mail, tips, and kudos can be sent to theignitionist@gmail.com. Thanks so much for reading!

DISCUSSION (18)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Blake Noble
03/04/2014 at 10:09

It's simple - the cherokee is a nicer, but more expensive, vehicle while the renegade will likely be a bit cheaper and aimed at the enthusiasts who want a cheap jeep but also need some civility and useability. That turbo 4, 6-speed manual, AWD combo is definitely a jalop special, but it is a good bone to toss to the community.

Look at it this way, every enthusiast they can sell on a renengade might net them an additional sale or two of cherokees or other renegades via word of mouth. I think the cherokee will outsell the renegade by being the better car but the renegade is the better jeep that lets them keep the off road cred and retain customer loyalty. At least, that's my one-minute take on this.

The Dummy Gummy > Blake Noble
03/04/2014 at 10:11

This was a decent write-up except for:

this diminutive crossover for cheapskates and first-time Jeepers

this is a pretty insensitive thing to type, especially in the economy the US is currently in. Not everyone is well off. I'm not trying to be overly critical, but that type of language can offend many. Affordability and buying on a budget isn't being a cheapskate. Leaving a $1 tip on a $100 meal is a being a cheapskate.

Edit: Sorry if I was overly critical at all.

yamahog > Blake Noble
03/04/2014 at 10:14

Honestly, I don't see these two competing very much. The new Cherokee is selling well, but it's not aimed at XJ fans and serious offroad enthusiasts, more like a 'cool parent' car, and it seems like a higher price bracket. The Renegade looks like it's supposed to be aimed more at younger drivers and the foreign markets, and seems less expensive therefore less stressful to beat up on the trail. Us American Jalops are also finding the Renegade appealing because we're weird ;)

Milky > Blake Noble
03/04/2014 at 10:18

Yea I'm going to go with interior room being the main reason.

I don't know if you've been in a XJ, but if the Renegade is the same size its going to be tight in the back. IMO your comparing something along the lines of Fiesta ST vs Focus ST. This is 'murica dammit and bigger is better.

Blake Noble > The Dummy Gummy
03/04/2014 at 10:21

No worries.

I didn't see that as offensive, but if something sucks and has sucked for a long time, why not make fun of it a little?

The Dummy Gummy > Blake Noble
03/04/2014 at 10:23

I'm actually not offended; just pointing out how it could be taken. Anyways, this cheapskate wants one of these little fuckers. Looks fun to take on a beach.

Blake Noble > Milky
03/04/2014 at 10:32

I've owned three XJs — a 1991, a 1998, and a 2000 — and I've ridden in the back of a friend's on a few different occasions. I'm a hair over six feet tall, and I didn't think the interior room was all that bad, honestly. Just the back seat itself (not leg room or anything) sort of sucked.

Blake Noble > The Dummy Gummy
03/04/2014 at 10:33

I'd take one home, too. When cover first broke Monday, I didn't like it at first. But it's grown on me quickly.

Blake Noble > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/04/2014 at 11:01

Excellent counterpoint. But other than size and an optional V6, there aren't many options the Cherokee offers that you can't get on the Renegade. I can also see Renegade Trailhawk models eating into the Cherokee Trailhawk's sales.

Blake Noble > yamahog
03/04/2014 at 11:01

It feels good to be weird. ;-P

Milky > Blake Noble
03/04/2014 at 11:18

I had a '92 and it just felt like a place for kids to me. Yea a adult will fit back there fine, but 'fine' is all I would say about it. When I switched to a ZJ that felt like the proper size of a backseat IMO.

HammerheadFistpunch > Blake Noble
03/05/2014 at 21:48

Great writeup, and thanks for the references, as well as helping me look less like a crazy solo renegade fan. There is one distinction I would like to point out between the Cherokee and the Renegade: low range.

The Cherokee can have it (active drive II and active drive lock) and the Renegade (in all likelihood) wont .

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The other issue is a matter of premium interior, space and capacity. The Cherokee can tow 4500 lbs, 2.25 times the max of the renegade.

plus I'm willing to bet its faster as a Trailhawk and better on the road. The Cherokee doesn't make the grand Cherokee obsolete and never has. There is a great point that you've raised though...this little bugger is going to be really interesting.

Also, I always think your avatar is some type of robot vagina.

Vincent Davidson > Blake Noble
03/05/2014 at 23:20

So, by the numbers, this has better angles than Cherokee does. Isn't fugly, and will likely be less expensive.

But won't have low range?

I think you're right, the names must have gotten mixed up in translation. I will consider a Renegade when it bows, though...

Blake Noble > HammerheadFistpunch
03/05/2014 at 23:30

Thanks, and thank you for some good sleuthing there!

Regarding the Renegade and its lack of low-range, you're right there. When I wrote this piece, I was still going with Allpar's assumption that the all-wheel drive system was going to be shared almost whole-hog with the Cherokee.

I believe the Renegade can tow up to a max of 3,000 pounds, but I didn't see that in the press release, so I didn't bother throwing that in there.

Yeahhhhh ... the logo I designed for my banner doesn't translate well to an avatar here. At least you didn't accuse me of being some sort of Nazi because of it (why someone thought that , I'll never understand). :/

Blake Noble > Vincent Davidson
03/05/2014 at 23:32

It was my understanding that the all-wheel drive system was completely shared with the bigger Cherokee, but you're right. It isn't exactly the same after all.

Regardless, it's still the better overall Jeep out of the two. The Cherokee is just pathetic at this point.

HammerheadFistpunch > Blake Noble
03/05/2014 at 23:38

Towing mazes out at 2000 lbs for the US.

Blake Noble > HammerheadFistpunch
03/05/2014 at 23:44

Because diesel, you're right. I don't know why I didn't make the click there.

Phil > Blake Noble
04/11/2015 at 06:32

Not so bad, just a bit hard climbing over the wheel well.