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JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk (2018 - )

The Jeep Renegade is a compact SUV with plenty of character and attitude.

Starting price:
£38,100

Pros:
  • Proper off-roading ability
  • Funky design
  • Practical compact SUV
Cons:
  • Gets noisy at higher speeds
  • Lots of hard plastic and quite poor safety rating
  • Rivals are more engaging and refined to drive
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Introduction

JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk

The Jeep Renegade is a compact SUV with plenty of character and attitude. It boasts funky styling and since its launch has delivered record-breaking sales in Europe for the brand.

The latest Renegade line-up consists of three models – an e-Hybrid powered by a 1.5-litre 130hp hybrid unit with manual transmission and front-wheel drive. This is available in Limited trim level. There are also two 4xe plug-in hybrid versions with a 1.3-litre petrol engine. The Limited model has 190hp while the range-topping Trailhawk has 240hp. Both of these vehicles have an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

We opted for the high-end Renegade Trailhawk model. With 4x4 ability on tap, this is a practical car that can conquer lots of off-road challenges so will take day-to-day driving in its stride.

JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk

The five-door Renegade compact SUV is instantly recognisable as a Jeep with its vertical seven-slot grille, circular headlights and square tail lights. 
Other eye-catching features on our Trailhawk model included an optional panoramic sunroof, black wheel arch mouldings, tinted rear windows, roof rails, body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and door handles, plus 17-inch off-road alloy wheels with mud and snow tyres (a ‘must’ for anyone planning true 4x4 adventures).
Climb inside, using the grab handles for convenience, and the cabin is nicely laid out. There is a small 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system offering access to the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and the sat nav. 
Elsewhere, the climate control functions are controlled by a sperate panel for convenience, and the interior has been designed with off-road fun in mind. There are a number of wipe-clean surfaces, along with all-weather floor mats with the Jeep logo.
The black leather upholstered seats, with ‘Trailhawk’ embroidered into them, are manually controlled but can be heated, along with the steering wheel. There is neat red trim around the speakers, air vents and gear lever, and the elevated seating results in great all-round driver visibility.

On The Road

JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk

Handling & Performance

Whilst the Jeep Renegade 4xe is not the most refined car to drive, it is great fun. Powered by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with 11.4kW high voltage battery mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, it delivers a combined 240hp. It can complete the 0-62mph dash in a very respectable 7.1 seconds and maxes out at 124mph. 
The Renegade starts up in hybrid mode which uses the electric charge with the petrol engine kicking in at the first hint of throttle pressure. Out on the open road it has ample zip and the ride quality is surprisingly good too. There are drive modes called Hybrid, Electric and E-Save that are self-explanatory and another dial offers access to a range of other driving modes. These include all the off-road settings such as Snow, Sand, Mud, Rock, 4WD Low and 4WD Lock, but also offers a Sport mode which livens up the car’s responses considerably.
The automatic transmission is well timed, although there are no paddles to control things manually and also no B mode to increase the levels of regenerative braking.
I did find the steering a little light at times and the cabin gets quite noisy at higher speeds, but it’s worth remembering the Jeep Renegade is a very capable off-roader, so you are getting quite an all-rounder. And although we didn’t venture from the Tarmac on this occasion, previous challenging treks have proven just how good this Jeep is when faced with anything Mother Nature throws in its path. 

JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk

Space & Practicality

The Jeep Renegade is 4,236mm in length, 1,805mm wide, 1,718mm high (with roof rails) and has a wheelbase of 2,570mm.

It is billed as a compact SUV so space is fairly limited. However, there is plenty of room up front and enough space in the back for a couple of youngsters to sit comfortably.

The boot is practically sized with a capacity of 330 litres, increasing to 1,277 litres with the rear seats dropped flat. There is also a compartment beneath the boot floor to store charging cables.

Our Trailhawk test model featured an optional Function Pack II, costing £700, which introduced 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats with a central armrest. This makes it easier to transport longer items without affecting passengers in the two outer rear seats.

Elsewhere there is a glovebox, front and rear cup holders, door bins with room for a small water bottle, seat back pockets, a couple of trays in front of the gear lever and a compact central bin beneath the sliding front armrest,

There is a dashboard-positioned grab handle for the front passenger which is handy if the Renegade is being driven off-road or for simply climbing into the vehicle.

It has a braked towing limit of 1.15 tonnes and charging the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk PHEV takes less than two hours via a 7.4kW home wallbox.

Ownership

JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk

Running Costs

The Jeep Renegade line-up consists the e-Hybrid Limited costing £30,050, the PHEV Limited from £36,100 and the PHEV Trailhawk, as tested, which was priced at £38,100. A few options saw the price increase to £41,700. These included an electric panoramic sunroof, a function pack and Granite Crystal metallic paint.
Under WLTP testing, the vehicle can officially deliver a combined 141.2mpg, but this figure would only be possible if the car’s 26 EV-only miles were used regularly.
The carbon emissions figure of 46g/km, along with the EV-only driving range, does bring financial rewards though as it would mean the vehicle is exempt from road tax for the first year and it would be classed in the reduced rate for PHEV models of £155 after 12 months.
Anyone considering the Jeep Renegade PHEV as a business car would see a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 14 per cent and the vehicle sits in insurance group 18.

Verdict

JEEP Renegade plug-in hybrid 4Xe Trailhawk

The Jeep Renegade PHEV Trailhawk is fun to drive and offers bags of character with its funky styling. And if owners should be brave enough to take it off-road, it easily takes on the challenge of clambering over rocks, skipping through sand and climbing slippery, muddy hills. 
 

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By Maxine Ashford
Oct 31, 2022

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