2022 Jeep Renegade

The 2022 Jeep Renegade sports rugged looks on a small scale, but the off-road ability’s there. The Jeep Renegade is the least-expensive model in the off-road brand’s portfolio, a small SUV that squares off against the Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Venue, and Honda HR-V, among others.

While not perfect, the 2022 Jeep Renegade has chunky styling and a broad range of features not always found in an SUV this small. We give it a TCC Rating of 5.7 out of 10, but it would do better if Jeep saw fit to install more crash-avoidance tech.

The Renegade returns for 2022 with a scaled-down lineup with just four trim levels, three of which come standard with all-wheel drive. All Renegade models make use of a zippy 1.3-liter turbo-4 rated at a healthy 177 hp, which goes to the wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Though hardly a sporty choice, the 2022 Jeep Renegade goes down the road with confidence and, in Trailhawk form, boasts some off-road bits that enhance its capability beyond most class rivals.

Inside, the Renegade is a tight fit, but its interior has an imaginative design with lots of features including an 8.4-inch touchscreen for infotainment that’s loaded up with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus navigation.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The standard turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder is neither refined nor particularly quick. The engine’s redeeming trait is the useful torque it develops low in the rev range to help the Renegade accelerate away from stops. It pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive.

While all-wheel-drive models can tow up to 2000 pounds, Jeep doesn’t recommend towing with front-drive versions. The 2022 Jeep Renegade is not intended to hustle hard, but it holds its own better than one might think.

While it can feel stiffly sprung in its most off-road-oriented Trailhawk model, the ride in other versions is generally composed and comfortable. Steering is quick to respond to driver inputs, and there’s less body roll around corners than you might expect from a vehicle shaped like a Christmas ornament.

If an engaging driving experience is an important factor, the turbocharged Kia Soul and Mazda CX-30 both offer better performance and much more fun.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2022 Jeep Renegade is rated up to 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Those ratings are for the front-drive model; all-wheel drive drops those figures to as low as 22 and 27 mpg, respectively.

With an all-wheel-drive model, we saw 29 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen.

Still, that falls short of parsimonious competitors such as the Soul and Nissan Kicks both earned 37 mpg. For more information about the 2022 Jeep Renegade’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.