Would You Off Road a Renegade

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 07/14/2015 at 11:27 • Filed to: Jeep

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An FCA renegade that is. Automobile Magazine took one off road and it didn’t die but it doesn’t !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! it loved it either. It makes me excited for the idea of a smaller, modern type off roader to give people more accessibility to the sport, but it also makes me wonder who will take this off road...more than just for the novelty of it. So what about you, if you were interested in buying one, would you? If you aren’t interested in buying one, do you think people will?

(photo credit Automobile magazine)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:28

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I wasn’t interested in buying one, but went to look at one anyway and was very sorely disappointed.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:29

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If I bought it, I would take it off road (even if nothing extreme). If I was buying something for off road ability, I’d get a used Wrangler.

HammerheadFistpunch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/14/2015 at 11:30

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I really like the idea, and I generally like the way it turned out, but I know deep down that it will be a bucket of bolts after 60k miles...thats a hard image to get out of my head.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:31

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I would use it more for dirt road and field shenanigans, but I would definitely see what I can climb over occasionally.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:31

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I liked the idea and kind of like the looks, but it’s really poorly executed. I was shocked at how little space they managed to make in such a largeish box. It’s really poorly laid out and everything seems really low quality.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:32

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Like I’ve mused before, I don’t know that true lightweight offroaders will ever pass our way again. “Small” versions of heavy lumps are small heavy lumps, and there just isn’t anything on the market capable of... treading lightly, so to say.

Party-vi > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:33

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I want a Jeep that can take me to work and back every day for the whole year regardless of weather and still get good gas mileage, then take me to WV for ski season. I think the Renegade would do this nicely.

HammerheadFistpunch > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:34

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I personally can’t wait for the opportunity to try one out. I need to convince a jeep dealer to allow me to actually find some terrain to test it on.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 11:35

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3500 lbs isn’t too bad, and if you can get an inch lift and some bigger tires, there could really be something to this little guy.

Sir Halffast > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 11:36

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Unfortunately, unless you want the Jeep nameplate, there are half-a-dozen other vehicles that can do you better for the same price.

HammerheadFistpunch > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 11:37

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Yes, its true, but so could an outback or impreza. Not saying you should buy those, but it is...in my mind...the main cross shopping with this vehicle. Knowing what I know about FCA quality it would make me think long and hard about if the Jeepness outweighed that...um...cheapness.

EL_ULY > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:37

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*You should off road EVERYTHING! Including the hey hey hey, hey hey hey, Renegade.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:39

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I’d say Forester or Crosstrek would be a better match. Personally I’d have the Jeep

WiscoProud > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:40

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That's pretty much it. I hope they figured out their issues with small SUVs, but its wait and see for me.

Baber K. Khan > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:40

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I really want to. This is conveniently sized, not as small as the Jimny and not as big as the Vitara. If Jeep has included a 4x4 system which is in other cars, this can be a good 5-dr 4x4 for those who don’t want the 5 door because SWB (3drs) have better clearance, etc.

HammerheadFistpunch > EL_ULY 07/14/2015 at 11:40

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This is the right answer. I need to try one.

Sir Halffast > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:40

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Also, there’s the Honda HRV, Mazda CX-5, and the Subaru Crosstrek. The former two might not be as off-road capable, but they are AWD and would likely do just fine in Party-vi’s scenario. Also would be more comfortable with better interior fit and finish.

Dusty Ventures > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:41

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Not without a spare tire I wouldn’t (which it apparently doesn’t come with )

HammerheadFistpunch > Baber K. Khan 07/14/2015 at 11:42

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the 4wd system could best be described as “aggressive awd” but thats about all this chassis could handle anyway. I’ll bet its fun in the dunes though.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:42

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I’d be more than a little leery of offroading an FCA Renegade, but I’m sure there will be a select few that will.

When I used to own my Subaru Crosstrek I was amazed at the amount of people who would do some fairly decent offroading, including fording streams. I'd just be afraid of breaking something and having the warranty deny the claim.

HammerheadFistpunch > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/14/2015 at 11:43

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I don’t like the crosstrek at all, but I would take the forester over this jeep. Not as good of crawl ratio but much more suitable to modifications and will be more more durable and reliable i would guess.

HammerheadFistpunch > Sir Halffast 07/14/2015 at 11:44

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Thats true about the others, but I think Subaru will be the only “lifestyle” competitor.

ly2v8-Brian > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:44

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No. I'd rather set my current truck up for off-roading. Not enough people do RWD.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dusty Ventures 07/14/2015 at 11:44

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I think the trailhawk has one, but I could be wrong.

HammerheadFistpunch > ly2v8-Brian 07/14/2015 at 11:45

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I respect a RWD truck...so long as they don’t rip up the track.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:47

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3500lb isn’t terrible, true, but it’s no 2400lb’er , 2600lb ’er, other 2400lb ’er, 2100lb ’er, nor even a 3200lb ’er. Nope, that’s even a hundred pounds up on the Bronco II . It could be good, but with less weight it would be better.

Alfalfa Romeo > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:47

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I like the idea, but the more I look at it, the more I think that I could get something older and cheaper of similar size that would be better suited to offroading. I do think people will buy them, because people like to own Jeeps just to own a jeep. It’s cuter and more affordable than others in the current lineup.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:47

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I do sort of like the Crosstrek, but would only ever buy one if it got a better engine and lost the CVT—not sure if you can get a manual (?) but even an ordinary auto would be preferable.

The Forester has a crawl ratio?

ly2v8-Brian > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:47

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All about understanding your truck and the terrain.

Party-vi > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:48

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I know little about FCA quality, but it can’t be worse than late 1980s AMC/Renault quality, can it?

Also, the Outback and Impreza look like warmed over boring and I’d have to spend lots of money to get any decent engine. Plus, 4WD is totes better than AWD*

*Why yes, I’m stuck in the 1990s.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 11:48

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That market is now called SxS

Party-vi > Sir Halffast 07/14/2015 at 11:48

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But I want ze nameplate. I will probably look at a Grand Cherokee WK2 whenever the Pilot decides to shit the bed.

jjhats > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 11:49

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its shorter than my focus and I already struggle to fit 180 cm skis in that so you would most likely need a roof rack which is annoying. but otherwise good ski car for sure

HammerheadFistpunch > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 11:51

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I think that the Renegade after a year or two of teething, will be durable enough to make it to 100k without too much trouble, but the trouble after that will be constant. 4WD/AWD...its all the same bag. The Jeep system is pretty good, but its no better (aside from a slightly lower low gear) than the Jeep. Its all just clutches and brakes.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:51

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I know, and that’s crap. I want my off-roading tin cans to have full size wheels, actual cabs of a kind, and otherwise pretend to be a damn car.

nermal > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 11:51

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Yep. Add a roof rack and some snow tires to one of these and you’ve got the perfect ski / snowboard vehicle.

Party-vi > jjhats 07/14/2015 at 11:52

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Everyone knows you put your skis and boards on the roof so all the passers-by can see how cool you are.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > ly2v8-Brian 07/14/2015 at 11:52

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I’m actually really surprised how far I can get my truck in 2wd.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ly2v8-Brian 07/14/2015 at 11:52

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This is truth. I’m going to try light trails with my abomination, because limited slip and because good weight balance.

Party-vi > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:52

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Ah. Well I’m wanting a two speed t-case so I can say I have it and never use it though.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:54

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If I was getting one, it’s mainly due to the practical hatch/wagon body style and for some very mild off roading... if dirt roads and driving in snow qualify.

I’m not into serious off-roading.

And I would probably stick with the 1.4L turbo + 6 speed manual model. And I would probably get it in yellow or orange.

But I would more likely get the FWD/manual Jeep Patriot for $4000 less since the kind of offroading I would do wouldn’t require 4wd/AWD.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 11:54

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im with you generally. I really am. But thats the new “light weight Jeep”.

HammerheadFistpunch > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 11:56

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you could just add a shift boot and stick next to the shifter. Nab one from an older jeep and bolt it right on. “yeah, its got low range, but I’ve never needed it”.

Baber K. Khan > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 11:57

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Have you ever had the chance to see the SsangYong Rexton? It was a totally Merc based SUV with full time AWD, manual. The full-time AWD only meant it was heavy on fuel but it was pretty neat off road. For someone with mild offroading and not hardcore, it was pretty good. Some Australian tested it and they quite liked it on high speeds especially.
So we can assume that it wouldn’t be any close to the Jimny? I really thought it could do good in congested cities where people like us also go out in the wild on weekends!

ly2v8-Brian > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 11:59

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It's amazing how well those diffs work.

Milky > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:04

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The dream is too end up with a 2 seater for a DD and a practical thing for winter/stuff. The Renegade would do fit that bill and then yes I would take it off road. Back home is the Silver Lake sand dunes and a bunch of trails which sounds like a fun time. Even more so If I could get it to sound like the 500 Abarth.

Sir Halffast > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/14/2015 at 12:05

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Yes, it does. Achieved through low gear and (in higher trims) what they call X-Mode. Also, don’t knock the CVT till you try it. It’s not nearly as bad as you think. While CVTs generally are horrible (like Nissan’s), the Subie’s version is sort of stepped so that it functions more like a standard auto-box. I haven’t used it off road, but on highway, I’ve zero complaints.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:06

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Any “lightweight Jeep” that can’t be driven down to the corner store for a soda and can’t drive itself to the trail is scarcely worth the $80 in scrap, IMHO. Sure, if you really have to have a lands-vehicle or like lightweight offroading enough *and are well funded* you can sub in an SxS for offroad duties only, but using your “normal” 4WD to tow your light 4WD to the trailhead seems to me like galactically missing the point. Further, SxSs are very arguably just that extra all-important hair too small. Light weight>small size.

Sir Halffast > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:06

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Agreed.

HammerheadFistpunch > Milky 07/14/2015 at 12:07

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yeah the 1.4t manual AWD with a chip and exhaust could be epic.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ly2v8-Brian 07/14/2015 at 12:10

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My truck was originally a forest service truck. I figure if a ‘63 Ranchero worked for trails back then with a 144 six and low rear end (otherwise bone stock), it should rock out with higher suspension, a skid plate, limited slip, and an aluminum V8, all with a couple pounds lighter at the nose and a couple pounds heavier in back...

Pictured - not actually my truck, but correct year, yada yada

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 12:12

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I agree with your points fully. However, many SxS are street legal (though not highway legal) so you can pop down to the corner store (I was just someplace where half the parking lot at the corner store was SxS). That having been said, Moab is awash in new parking lots for people to park their huge trucks pulling 2-3 SxS to the trail and I don’t like that at all. Not to mention they are noisy (and an ugly noise) and to have them be really great trail rippers (and no tip over) you need to widen them out past the 50 inch limit (for OHV vehicles) which makes them pointless for taking places a car can’t go anyway. At the end of the day, I could buy 5 land cruisers for a single 4 door sxs, or one land cruiser built the way I want it. And then I could drive to the trail in comfort, not eat dust all day, and drive home in comfort. That having been said, the SxS is the spiritual successor to the willys jeep more than the JK is.

ly2v8-Brian > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 12:13

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Sounds cool

HammerheadFistpunch > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/14/2015 at 12:15

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what Sir Halffast said, X-Mode is the exact same trick that the renegade uses for its “Low range” in that it forces the lowest ratio. The crawl ratio in x-mode is a much lower 14.4:1 though

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:16

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I JUST WANT A MODERN BRONCO OR SAMURAI OR SOMETHING YOU ASSHOLES

uofime-2 > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 12:19

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Classic.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 12:21

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I have to wonder...what if you created a kit for the Renegade that gave you new half shafts, control arms and coil overs and rebuilt the hubs with stronger bearings, you could increase the track width, lift it, give it massive travel and still be street legal (in most states)...it couldn’t possibly cost more than some of these people are pooring into their SxS...and it would be pretty badass. hmmm. Like a modern dune buggy. Put small A/T tires on it, skid plate the hell out of it and turbo the 2.4 and that would be one fun buggy.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:32

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It’d be close to the ideal paradigm, approaching it from the opposite direction. Still chubby, but not impossibly so.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 12:36

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What is the balance? I was pretty surprised to find mine was 56/44

RallyWrench > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:47

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I’d love to try one, but realistically I’d only use it for light trails to get to campsites.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/14/2015 at 12:50

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Don’t know yet. It’ll be slightly better than a Mustang six-cyl, which from running the known weight balance of a Mustang V8 (~57/43) and component weights should itself be around 55/45. Probably around 53/47 or better.

BigBlock440 > Sir Halffast 07/14/2015 at 12:50

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Sure, even a Mirage will do that (unless work is up a non-maintained road).

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 12:53

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I actually got into a long “why must all off-roaders be so heavy” conversation on the FP once, and the guy just could.not. get it. “With modern technology off-roaders are more capable than ever before. Light weight doesn’t get you much in capability.” THAT’S NOT THE POINT, YOU MORON.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/14/2015 at 12:55

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I apprechiate light weight, punctuated by the fact that even at 10 psi and with all 3 diffs locked I was sinking fast in the sand pulling boats out of the water this last week. not to mention the craters I made getting out there.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/14/2015 at 12:57

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It’s got the cabin slightly further forward (and by slightly, I mean like maybe 4”), and has a tail that stretches about 6-7” further back than an early first-gen Mustang, so it balances out somewhat. The rear axle is actually *more* than a Mustang V8, and there’s some additional weight coming in back as well, while the trans+engine combo will end up not more than maybe 40lb heavier at the absolute most than the six - and its c.g. is nearly a foot further back than the six. 400lb+ masses moving that much makes a big difference.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:01

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At some point there really is a limit to how good a vehicle is at pulling itself through its own ruts. A FWD Lancia Beta on the M’kadikadi has more easily-discovered limits than a RWD Opel Kadett...

BigBlock440 > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:04

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I could buy 5 land cruisers for a single 4 door sxs, or one land cruiser built the way I want it.

Mostly I agree that side by sides are the new jeep (lowercase), but no you can’t. A 4 door side by side isn’t $400,000 that 5 land cruisers cost.

Sir Halffast > BigBlock440 07/14/2015 at 13:04

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I sort of presumed that poor maintenance and AWD/4WD were a part of the equation...

HammerheadFistpunch > BigBlock440 07/14/2015 at 13:05

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I spent 5 grand on mine, most nicely equipped sxs are ~$25 grand. We shopped around for one for a while as a work mule.

BigBlock440 > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:09

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How capable were the small (or even regular) SUVs from the factory anyway? I think that as the ones left get older and older, the only ones left are the ones people modified for offroading, so they seem much more capable.

HammerheadFistpunch > BigBlock440 07/14/2015 at 13:10

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Well the XJ Cherokee is about the same size and filled the same role, and it was pretty darn capable out of the box.

Sir Halffast > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:12

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Except that, going back to the Subies, it’s 100 pounds MORE than a Forester. Which is bigger. And probably more capable, being Subaru’s self-proclaimed best offroader.

BigBlock440 > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:15

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You’re comparing a used 200k mile car with a brand new side by side. A used market exist for side by sides as well, and you can get broken-in examples for under $2k.

HammerheadFistpunch > BigBlock440 07/14/2015 at 13:19

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not in my looking.

HammerheadFistpunch > Sir Halffast 07/14/2015 at 13:19

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more capable? maybe, but I doubt it. I tried out X-mode and wasn’t super impressed.

Sir Halffast > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:24

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To be fair, I haven’t had a winter yet to try it out on. Just saying Subaru considers it their off road flagship. I would presume that Jeep’s best kit goes to the Wrangler or Cherokee.

BigBlock440 > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:24

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By the numbers, the Renegade’s fairly close to the XJ (tire size, gc, etc.), but again, when’s the last time you’ve seen a stock XJ? I wonder if anyone’s tested one recently to see if it’s actually as capable as it’s remembered, or if we’re looking at it through the rose-colored glasses of time and modifications.

*I realize that the older SUVs were easier to make really capable rigs, but since all Renegade tests are currently stock, I’m only wondering about stock capabilities.

HammerheadFistpunch > BigBlock440 07/14/2015 at 13:35

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I drove an XJ for years, including Moab. I remember its capabilities and limits quite well. I haven’t driven the Renegade but its going to be hard to make up for articulation and great gearing.

BigBlock440 > HammerheadFistpunch 07/14/2015 at 13:37

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http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5093192678… - Sure it doesn’t have the creature comforts, but $3k can get you a decent amount.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ard/5098040736… - This one seems a little too good of a deal

Quick search on the models I know, but point is, you can get cheap side by sides just as easily as you can get cheap land cruisers.

HammerheadFistpunch > BigBlock440 07/14/2015 at 13:46

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not in Utah you can’t, and comparing a an mule is hardly comparable to a used cruiser. Try finding a razr 900 or better.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > HammerheadFistpunch 07/15/2015 at 08:04

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I think people will love it. It’s small enough to act as a city runabout, but that extra ride height means that people will be instilled with a sense of security that they’re driver a bigger car. Plus, the extra visibility would be nice. It’s also nice to know that the Renegade is actually somewhat capable offroad. Other rivals in terms of size such as the Suzuki Jimny and Lada Niva are both more capable offroad I believe, but they’re also extremely outdated and far less comfortable than the Renegade. Plus, whoever buys a Renegade will probably never take it offroad anyway.

You’ve also got the name - Jeep. It’s nice to say to others “I’ve got a Jeep”.