Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 18.00

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  4x4 Fun, Technologically Dumb - 2016 Jeep Renegade
  By Erick T - November 26 - 11:58 pm

  I began leasing my 2016 Renegade Trailhawk about 6 months ago. I was looking for a cheap and fun solution for Michigan driving. The look took a while to get used to the look but then I started to like it, and the visibility while driving was awesome (lots of head room). I took it off roading and was amazed by the capability of the little jeep. With ground clearance higher than a standard truck and multiple smart 4x4 settings there was not much that I couldnt conquer, especially the hill descent was very entertaining. When winter hit the snow was meaningless to the Renegade. It would tear through 12 inches of snow and hard packed ice without a problem. At this point you are probably wondering why my rating for the vehicle is so low, well let me explain. I commute 30-40 minutes one-way to get to work, all highway driving. This quickly made me realize two of the Jeeps biggest downfalls. 1) Speed: the speed of this jeep is unbearably slow. I took the jeep into the shop and was provided a Chrysler 200 as a rental. The significant speed difference of the 200 made me feel as if I was in a tuned sports car. I think a huge problem is the transmission in the 2.4L Tigershark (maybe it should be “Tigger”shark), which is a 9 speed that has a "acceleration" technique of using less gears when you step on it. The lag of this system is well over a few seconds sometimes, and even when the timing is right, the car takes a good 10 seconds plus to get to 60. I didnt buy this jeep with the intention of replacing my race car, however, I very much dislike the terrifying emotion that I experience when simply getting on a launch ramp to the express way, or debating a pass on a two-lane highway. Not to mention, on numerous occasions the transmission has jerked on me when initially putting the car in drive/reverse, and we all know this winter even in Michigan was very mild so cold temperatures are not to blame. 2) Comfort: Driving this jeep on a sand dune or through the woods is amazing, there is no other way to put it. However, city/long distance driving this jeep really shows you its uncomfortable side. I am driving the most expensive model of the Renegade, the Trailhawk, and the front seats lack the ability to adjust lumbar. Also, although the bucket seats look great with black vinyl interior stitched in red, the bucket is a little too small, therefore, a rather skinny mid-build 6-foot guy like me feels like I am being cramped in the seat and my shoulders are pushed forward while my back cannot find support, especially not in my lumbar. Another thing in regards to comfort is noise. At speeds around 30-45 mph the engine/transmission lets out an uncomfortable hum that sounds like the gear change just isnt quite right. I hope this is not how it was designed purposely. To wrap up this review I also must mention that my engine light has gone off 4+ times in a period of 2-3 months. Every time I get it flashed it reads as a thermostat issue, which it is not. It was taken for a few days, while I got to drive the "race car 200", to be looked at more in depth. The computer underwent numerous upgrades and everything was good to go. Less than a mile out of the lot the engine light went back on. I dont think my local dealership is bad at their job, I think a cheap jeep with a 9 speed transmission, advanced 4x4 system, and AWFUL voice activated blue tooth system, among other technical abilities is OVER developed. Similar to Android devices, it might be great that it can scan your retina as a security measure before someone reads your sensitive text messages among a multitude of additional outrageous applications, however, when it becomes so overwhelmed with glitches that it is dysfunctional in less than a year, then the lack of sustainability is an issue. In conclusion, this is a fun, progressive, fuel efficient machine with impressive off road capability. Take my cons with a grain of salt as I am sure not everyone has had the same experience, but when spending $300+ a month to lease the top model of a vehicle, I expect a little more. Drive safe out there.

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  A Cherokee and a Mini Cooper walk into a bar... - 2016 Jeep Renegade
  By Yankee Pat - September 15 - 3:05 am

  First off, my 4WD Renegade has an automatic and the 2.4L engine (the only way 4WD Renegades come), but those werent listed by Edmunds as options for the 75th Anniversary edition for some reason. With that out of the way, Ill keep this concise: I enjoy my ride. No, the Gade isnt very powerful, but I wasnt expecting it to be, and thats something you should know whether or not youre ok with after a test drive. I love the ride height, ride comfort, capability, and style/quirkiness that I got for the price. The two things I dont like have to do with the UConnect/Bluetooth system. Most importantly, when placing and/or receiving calls on Bluetooth, I can hear the other party very clearly, but they can barely hear me. If they can hear me, they tell me there is a profound background noise that goes above and beyond what one customarily expects over a Bluetooth system. Its especially bad at highway speeds. Id strongly recommend any potential buyers to test out the Bluetooth phone system at highway speeds (e.g. 75 mph) before purchase. I didnt, and am now left with a problem that my dealer and Chrysler both seem highly ambivalent about fixing. The other UConnect issue, more minor, is that the system wont let me switch back and forth between USB and Bluetooth as an audio source unless I manually disconnect one of these sources. Ive found a way around this, so it isnt that big of a deal. The horrible call quality, something I was not expecting when I purchased a brand new 2016 automobile, is the major issue. Otherwise, Im happy with the purchase, and find the Jeepster suits me.