RENEGADE FINDS ITS SPARK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Jeep's little Renegade gets plug-in hybrid tech. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The Jeep Renegade 4xe aims to broaden the SUV brand's customer base to include those who might be wanting a compact crossover with Plug-in Hybrid technology. What's unique here is Jeep's accomplishment in delivering a PHEV solution that still enables impressive off-terrain ability to be retained.

Backgroundword count: 146

When a brand like Jeep feels the need to make a PHEV, you realise just how essential plug-in tech is in the family market these days. You might expect the car in question, this '4xe' version of the company's smallest SUV, the Renegade, to be a token eco variant in the range. But no, it comes in all trim levels and is priced quite aggressively. There's even a '4xe' version of the marque's 'Trailhawk' off road-orientated Renegade model, with virtually all that rufty tufty variant's impressive gnarly off terrain ability. PHEV models are now quite common amongst larger models in the mid-sized sector, cars Jeep is challenging with a larger Compass 4xe variant using the same drivetrain as features in this plug-in Renegade. The time being though, PHEV tech is rare among small SUVs like this one - currently only the Renault Captur E-Tech offers it.

Driving Experienceword count: 201

To create the plug-in drivetrain, Jeep has taken a Fiat-derived 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and mated it to an 11.4kWh battery pack and a 59bhp electric motor. Total system output is 240hp, with 270Nm of torque and quite a rapid 7.1s rest to 62mph time. The electric motor drives the rear axle, delivering four-wheel drive. And the battery has a WLTP-rated driving range when fully charged of 26 miles. Power is marshalled by a 6-speed auto gearbox. As usual with a PHEV, there are 'Hybrid', 'Full Electric' and 'Sport' driving modes, plus an 'E-Save' battery saving setting which can put battery charge on hold so it can be used in urban traffic at the end of the trip. Plus there's an energy recovery system with two levels of regeneration. Jeep says the PHEV installation doesn't affect the off-road prowess of the top 'Trailhawk' version, but instead enhances it. First because the plug-in drivetrain offers 50% more torque than the alternative diesel. And second because the rear motor allows for independent torque split over the rear axle, allowing torque to be very precisely split between the rear wheels in tricky situations. For these, there are sand, snow, rock and mud drive modes.

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