In and Around A New Jeep Renegade Latitude

"TopSirloin" (topsirloin) 05/13/2015 at 19:09 • Filed to: None

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Today on campus as I was on my way to take one of my last final exams this semester, I came upon an “All New 2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude” that had been set up on display. I took this as an opportunity to snap some pictures up close (with my iPhone, sorry). Lately, much fuss !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about the Renegade, being a somewhat affordable, somewhat off-road-able 4x4 that can be had with a manual transmission. The compact-crossover segment isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but being a 20-something year old who occasionally wishes their FWD hot-hatch wasn’t limited to just actual roads, I fall within their target market. In my brief tour of the Renegade I noticed a few peculiar things, some good things, and some bad things and felt compelled to share.

This Renegade is the Latitude 4x4 with the 2.4 MultiAir and the 9-Speed automatic gearbox. The Latitude slots itself somewhere in the middle of the Renegade lineup, with a base price of $23,295. This particular Renegade in a *ahem* unique shade of Commando Green had been optioned to $26,285, with the 2.4 MultiAir engine and 18” wheels making up the difference above base (995$ destination charge included). The price is getting up there.

It’s certainly not a bad looking car. It’s more exciting than the Compass or Patriot, but you’ve got to admit there is a lot going on. It’s a little busy in my opinion. I tend to prefer more simple styling over the overwrought and quirky exterior design of the Renegade, but that’s just me.

A quick tour of the interior:

Nice steering wheel, Jeep. 3-spoke, nicely weighted, leather stitched and just thick enough. Plenty of wheel mounted hands-free buttons within reach, A+.

Here’s where we reach (what I thought to be) our first peculiar thing. You’ll notice “Since 1941” is stamped right above the 5” LCD screen on the dash console. What is that? This isn’t a t-shirt or a ball cap, is that really necessary? I could do without that.

Another thing I’m not crazy about is the 4 fake buttons on each side of the red hazard light visible below. Some of that is normal within trim segments, but 8 seems like a whole lot to just replace with blanks, and it’s hard not to notice that not one is functional.

The “Selec-Terrain” knob with the 4 customized modes makes it’s first appearance below.

Electric Parking Break

Notice the orange portion of the Tachometer below around 6500 RPMs. I tend to think the normal strip of red would do just fine for representing redline, but the orange mud-like shmear works too, I guess.

More interesting branding. The well-recognized Jeep grille and headlights found there way on to the speaker housing below.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the interior. The “Tek-Tonik” design language is fairly clear, with soft, blocky shapes well-integrated. The dash is a mix of soft-touch and hard plastic, pretty standard these days. The steering wheel is the real highlight in my opinion. As far as the seats and the cloth sections on the doors go, let’s just say they felt awfully Chrysler-rental-car-ish, which I wasn’t crazy about. Floor mats were totally standard, “Jeep” embroidered removable sets. Here I thought some rubberized, removable and washable mats could have been utilized, considering how “rugged” they want this car to be. Avoid bringing mud into this interior.

Plenty of consumers like this car, and kudos to Jeep for doing something different to try and bridge the ever-widening gap between those who purchased the Jeeps of yesteryear, and this next generation of customers. Did Jeep succeed in doing so? You be the judge.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > TopSirloin 05/13/2015 at 19:57

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At least they got it the right direction.

mr2gud2u > TopSirloin 05/13/2015 at 20:52

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My wife and I looked at Trailhawks and Limiteds. I didn't realize how small they are. I still like them. I know this is for a younger market. I can't decide whether I like all the Willy Easter eggs. Its different, rugged, and sort of cute in a way. That's more than I can say for the rest of the segment. For the record, I generally dislike crossovers.

Vicente Esteve > TopSirloin 05/13/2015 at 20:56

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8 Blank buttons staring right at you would make me very disappointed.

TopSirloin > mr2gud2u 05/13/2015 at 21:27

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I think we’ve got similar tastes. The easter eggs seem tacky to me. It definitely is smaller than you’d think it would be when you see one in person.

TopSirloin > Vicente Esteve 05/13/2015 at 21:28

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Yep, they really stick out. I can’t imagine the Trailhawk having 8 buttons over the Latitude. What could they possibly be? Rocket ejector seats?

Vicente Esteve > TopSirloin 05/13/2015 at 21:38

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Lets see:

Holy crap they do fit every single button.

2 for seat heaters, 1 for steering wheel heater, one for parking sensors, another one for the steering wheel, ESP and a double notifier for the passenger airbag.

mr2gud2u > TopSirloin 05/13/2015 at 22:39

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Ultimately I like it. It seems much more capable and rugged than other small crossovers could ever dream of being.

TopSirloin > Vicente Esteve 05/13/2015 at 22:48

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Waaaaaaaa... Wow. Thanks for finding that. I’m shocked.

TopSirloin > mr2gud2u 05/13/2015 at 22:49

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Much much more capable. I really love the hardware, I just don’t like the wrapping.

Vicente Esteve > TopSirloin 05/13/2015 at 23:04

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Also check out the knob for the 4WD, it gains a couple buttons inside.