Renegade Name Will Return as Jeep®’s $25,000 Electric SUV

In a significant announcement during Stellantis’ Investor Day 2024 at the Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Jeep® CEO Antonio Filosa unveiled plans for the return of the Renegade nameplate to the North American market. This time, the Renegade will make its comeback as an all-electric vehicle (BEV) with a starting price just under $25,000. This announcement comes on the heels of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ earlier statement at a Bernstein investor conference, where he mentioned that a $25,000 Jeep BEV would be arriving in the U.S. “very soon.”

The New Renegade: A 2027 Model Year Debut –

Scheduled for a 2027 model year debut, the new Renegade will continue to be classified as a B-segment SUV. While Filosa shared limited details about the new model, its entry-level price point of just below $25,000 is poised to attract a significant amount of attention in the electric vehicle (EV) market. This price will make it one of the most affordable electric SUVs projected to hit the U.S. market.

Speculations and Comparisons –

The new Renegade is expected to be based on the STLA Small platform, an evolution of the current Smart Car architecture.

For reference, the Citroën ë-C3, which utilizes the Stellantis Smart Car architecture, features a 44 kWh lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery that offers a range of 199 miles on a single charge. It is powered by an 83 kW (111 horsepower) electric motor. While the specific details of the new Renegade’s specifications are not yet confirmed, it is anticipated to share some similarities with the ë-C3 due to the common platform.

Additionally, the Citroën C3 is available with a hybrid powertrain, a feature that is also expected to be offered with the new Renegade. This flexibility in powertrain options could make the Renegade more appealing to a broader range of consumers.

Performance and Market Expectations –

For context, the last Renegade available in the North American market, the 2022 Renegade Sport (the last year it was offered with standard front-wheel drive), featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine producing 177 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque, with a combined fuel economy of 27 MPG. It had a range of 343 miles and was priced at $24,695. The transition to an all-electric powertrain marks a significant shift in performance metrics. The anticipated BEV Renegade, with potentially lower horsepower and a shorter range compared to its gas-powered predecessor, might face challenges in appealing to American drivers accustomed to higher performance.

Market Reception and Challenges –

The introduction of a $25,000 all-electric Renegade comes at a time when there is considerable pushback against BEVs in the U.S. market. Factors such as range anxiety, charging infrastructure, and performance expectations play crucial roles in consumer acceptance of electric vehicles. Jeep’s strategy with the Renegade will likely focus on affordability and the growing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles to capture a broad audience.

The return of the Renegade as an affordable BEV represents Jeep’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. While the full specifications and features of the new Renegade remain under wraps, its competitive price point positions it as a potentially game-changing entry in the electric SUV market. But with the pushback on EVs in the North American market at the moment, could such an affordable BEV SUV revolutionize the entry-level SUV market?