Competes with: Buick Encore, Fiat 500L, Mini Countryman

Looks like: An effective boxy Jeep

Powertrains: 160-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or 184-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with nine-speed automatic transmission, front- or all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Early 2015

Can you miss that old, boxy Jeep Cherokee? Can you desire the rugged fun of the Jeep Wrangler, but want something a bit safer, more secure and fuel efficient? Think the new Cherokee is just too large? Well, Jeep has an answer: the all-new subcompact 2015 Jeep Renegade, which was just unveiled with the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show.

2015 Jeep Renegade Photo Gallery (55 Photos)

The Renegade is the latest product of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and while it looks for all the world such as a pure American Jeep, underneath is a modified platform given to the Fiat 500L that Jeep calls the new “”small-wide 4×4 architecture. That means it’s tiny by American standards – 1.8 inches shorter when compared to a Buick Encore but 5 inches over a Honda Fit. It will be a global product sold all over the world with an eye-popping number of powertrain combinations tailored to various markets, and it will even come in a right-hand-drive version.

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Exterior

There is absolutely no mistaking the Renegade for anything apart from a Jeep. Despite its diminutive footprint, the look harkens back to the initial Cherokee (not the current swoopy version) crossed with the Wrangler and a little bit of the last-generation Liberty thrown in. In other words, it appears like a proper Jeep, chunky and rugged. Attributes of note include two types of removable top, called My Sky. Two large openings from the roof are revealed with either a manually removable or power slide and tilt fiberglass panel system; both styles are embossed by having an X-pattern that repeats elsewhere in the Renegade. With the added safety of a solid structure and also the security of rigid roof panels for urban dwelling, even though when removed, the outcome is of your nearly open-air experience just like the Wrangler.

For those wishing to get more off-road prowess, an optional Trailhawk model (pictured above) lifts the Renegade another .8 inch, modifies the bumpers for better obstacle approach and departure angles, and features greater wheel articulation. The Trailhawk gets Jeep’s Trail Rated badge, meaning it has been fully vetted off-road from the company and deemed able to tackling paths that the brand’s other off-roaders can handle. It also gets a special paint treatment, blacking out the roof section.

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Interior

Inside, Jeep mixed traditional rugged cues and the latest materials to generate a worthy follow up to the new Cherokee’s outstanding cabin. Jeep calls the look “”Tek-Tonic, together with the idea to mix structural components of the passenger space with soft-touch materials, storage and colors solutions borrowed from “”extreme”” sporting goods equipment. It’s not just a big cabin, as this is an entry in the subcompact crossover category, however the interior should provide enough flexibility for weekends or hauling gear. Seating for five is standard, though that third person from the rear seat will not be happy. A removable cargo floor adds space in back, while both rear seats and the front passenger seat fold flat.

The company’s latest electronics are also present, with a 5-inch or optional 6.5-inch Uconnect touch-screen in the center console, overshadowed only by the optional 7-inch LCD display panel in the gauge cluster. Full Bluetooth connectivity with 9-1-1 Assist can be obtained as well.

Underneath the Hood

For the reason that Renegade will likely be sold around the world, a number of powertrains will be offered. Seven engine alternatives are slated for your little truck-let with a selection of turbo and non-turbo four-cylinder diesel and gasoline motors. For the U.S., just two powertrains, which also show up in the Dodge Dart, is going to be offered within the Renegade: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder making 160 horsepower as well as a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 184 hp. The turbo will be provided with a six-speed manual transmission only, while the bigger four-cylinder will come just with a nine-speed automatic transmission. A turbo 2.-liter diesel engine making 167 hp and a healthy 258 pounds-feet of torque won’t be coming to the U.S. unfortunately. With the diesel, the little Renegade can tow 3,300 pounds.

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Front-wheel drive is standard, and an all-wheel-drive system called Jeep Active Drive is optional. It normally operates in two-wheel-drive mode until slippage is detected and can then transfer as much as 100 percent of your engine’s torque to any one wheel. About the Trailhawk off-road model, Jeep Active Drive includes a Low mode that acts as a creeper gear, enabling the Renegade to do some serious off-road duty. Both systems incorporate a selectable mode dial that allows the driver to find the setting that matches the terrain – Snow, Sand, Mud and Auto – with the Trailhawk adding Rock mode to the list. The Trailhawk model gets a few other off-road bits as well, including 17-inch all-terrain tires, front and back skid plates, bright red tow hooks and hill descent control.

Safety

The Renegade will feature a number of security features, demonstrating the increasing commonality of such systems even in small vehicles. Forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and a backup camera with rear cross-path detection are all offered together with seven standard airbags to help make the Renegade one of the best-equipped small vehicles from the safety standpoint.