Killing The Renegade Was Big Mistake By Jeep®

For the past two years, a 2020 Jeep® Renegade Limited 4×4 has sat in my garage, serving as my wife’s go-to ride after her 2014 Ford Mustang Convertible was unexpectedly totaled. What seemed like a minor accident ended with a write-off, and with Michigan winters to contend with, the fun-focused convertible gave way to a small SUV with legitimate 4×4 chops—the Renegade.

Now, with Jeep pulling the plug on the Renegade in North America, I can’t help but think the brand made a massive mistake.

A Jeep That Actually Fit Real Life – 

The Renegade wasn’t perfect, but it checked a lot of boxes for people who needed something practical, affordable, and capable in all four seasons. Sure, it wasn’t built in the U.S. (it came from the Melfi Assembly Plant in Italy), and that turned off a lot of traditional Jeep fans. But underneath its funky looks and Wrangler-meets-Cherokee design, the Renegade was surprisingly good—especially after its 2019 refresh.

That refresh brought the turbocharged 1.3-liter “FireFly” I4 engine into the mix. It packed 180 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque, backed by a ZF 9-speed automatic. It wasn’t a rocket ship, but it felt zippy and responsive compared to the sluggish 2.4-liter Tigershark I4. The engine even made the Renegade feel a bit sporty—especially when weaving through snowy backroads.

Perfectly Imperfect – 

Was it cramped in the back? A little. Was cargo space a bit tight? Sure. But the Renegade had a wide, open greenhouse that made it easy to see out of. It was ideal for short trips around town, tight parking spaces, and hauling kids to school.

Up front, though, things were surprisingly spacious. Both the driver and front passenger had plenty of headroom—something tall folks will appreciate—and the upright seating position made for a comfortable ride, especially on long drives. While it wasn’t the widest SUV, the Renegade made smart use of its space, giving most adults enough shoulder and legroom to feel at ease behind the wheel or riding shotgun.

And our Limited trim even came with removable MySky roof panels that turned it into a mini open-air fun machine in the summer.

Priced Out Of Its Own Market – 

One of the biggest issues? Price creep. When Jeep killed off the base Sport trim and front-wheel-drive option, they priced the Renegade out of the affordable segment it was designed to serve. By 2023, the cheapest Renegade you could get in the U.S. was a Latitude 4×4 starting at $27,805. Compare that to the 2022 base Sport 4×2 at $24,695, and it’s easy to see why the Renegade’s days were numbered.

That’s a far cry from when the Renegade first launched in 2015 with a starting MSRP of just $17,995—making it an attractive, entry-level way into the Jeep lifestyle. It wasn’t perfect, but it was affordable and accessible to first-time buyers, young families, and city dwellers alike.

Now, the Compass Sport 4×4 is the cheapest Jeep (Stellantis product) in the U.S.—and even it carries a price tag of $26,900 before destination charges. That’s not exactly “affordable adventure,” especially when you factor in rising interest rates and the cost of ownership today.

The Renegade filled a niche that Jeep has now completely walked away from.

Still Going Strong—Just Not Here – 

The irony is that the Renegade is still alive and well in Brazil, where it continues to be a top seller. The Brazilian-market Renegade received a sharp mid-cycle update in 2022, with more aggressive styling and better tech inside. You might even spot one near the southern border of the U.S., as these updated Renegades are still sold in Mexico.

A Missed Opportunity – 

For us, the Renegade was a smart buy: we picked ours up used for $20,000 with just 21,000 miles on it. It was small, capable, and perfect for everyday life in Metro Detroit. My wife loved its size, ease of use, and confidence in bad weather. And yet, it’s gone—not because it failed us, but because Jeep decided there was no room for it anymore.

Jeep dropping the Renegade from North America was a bad call. Not everyone needs a $60K Wrangler or a large Grand Cherokee. Some people just need a simple, affordable Jeep that does the job with a little bit of character—and the Renegade delivered that better than most.

So what replaced our Renegade? You’ll have to stay tuned to MoparInsiders to find out.

2020 Jeep® Renegade Limited 4×4 Image Gallery: