What Top Gear Thinks of the New Renegade
If Top Gear’s review of the 2015 Jeep Renegade is any indication of the SUV’s potential for success in the U.S., I’d say things are definitely looking good. The BBC site, known for not holding any punches in its reviews, gave the Renegade some pretty high marks.
JK-Forum is still waiting for a chance to get behind the wheel of the new Jeep, but until then, here are a few things that seemed to impress Top Gear the most about the Renegade that will appeal to real enthusiasts.
Off-Road Capabilities
“We’ve had a go in the top-spec Trailhawk model, …. It climbs and descends some tough inclines and declines without too much trouble, distributing torque smoothly between the wheels on ground when others are hanging up in the air …. If it’s an authentic Jeep people want, the Renegade at least ticks that box.”
On-Road Ride & Handling
“It’s perfectly fine. The ride is generally compliant, refinement isn’t too shabby … grip is strong in both front- and four-wheel-drive versions. It handles capably without ever truly entertaining – an area that pegs it behind the Skoda and Mini – but it’s never offensive.”
Nine–Speed Transmission
“…Left to its own devices, the shifts aren’t as instantaneous and imperceptible as in a sorted twin-clutch transmission…. The gearbox judges its changes cleverly and it kicks down smoothly. Not once did we curse it for picking the wrong gear, and it made light work of the tough off-road course, too.”
Not bad for a Jeep expected to start at around $18,000.