The 2021 Renegade subcompact SUV is the smallest model in the Jeep lineup. It competes with rivals like the Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax, and Hyundai Kona. One thing that distinguishes the Renegade is its off-roading potential, something it shares only with the Subaru Crosstrek. Admittedly, the Renegade is no Wrangler (although its tough and boxy design isn’t far off), and its 2-wheel-drive (2WD) platform is based on an Italian-made Fiat. But opt for a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) version, especially in Trailhawk form, and the Renegade has respectable off-road talents. Its tidy size, agility, and cool design are also appealing. The Renegade’s $24,000-plus starting price is relatively high, but this year sees active safety features like forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance become standard at the lowest Sport trim level.
Used 2021 Jeep Renegade Pricing
Used 2021 Jeep Renegade pricing starts at $16,937 for the Renegade Sport SUV 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $26,365 when new. The range-topping 2021 Renegade Trailhawk Sport Utility 4D starts at $21,230 today, originally priced from $31,515.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Sport SUV 4D | $26,365 | $16,937 | ||
Upland Edition Sport Utility 4D | $27,290 | $17,297 | ||
Freedom Edition Sport Utility 4D | $27,860 | $19,131 | ||
Jeepster Sport Utility 4D | $28,260 | $18,194 | ||
Latitude Sport Utility 4D | $28,470 | $18,266 | ||
80th Edition Sport Utility 4D | $30,065 | $18,224 | ||
Islander Sport Utility 4D | $30,590 | $20,765 | ||
Limited Sport Utility 4D | $31,020 | $18,509 | ||
Trailhawk Sport Utility 4D | $31,515 | $21,230 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2021 Jeep Renegade models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
Which Model is Right for Me?
2021 Jeep Renegade Sport
2.4-liter engine/front-wheel drive
16-inch steel wheels
Driver aids
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Push-button start
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
Satellite radio
Dual-zone climate control
2021 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
1.3-liter turbocharged engine
4-wheel drive with low-range mode & hill descent control
Skidplates, red tow hooks
17-inch alloy wheels & on-road/off-road tires
Full-size spare wheel/tire
8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
Heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front seats
8.4-inch touchscreen
Navigation
2021 Jeep Renegade Limited
Leather seating surfaces
Heated front seats
8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
Heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel
8.4-inch touchscreen
Navigation
Driving the Used 2021 Jeep Renegade
The Renegade is at its best in the city or out in nature. Two contrasting habitats, sure, but allow us to explain. The Renegade’s small size, tight turning radius, and nimble handling make life easy in congested places like busy cities. And as we’ve already said, a 4-wheel-drive Renegade can scamper through sand, mud, and snow, and even over rocks. Driver-adjustable modes optimize it for these various conditions. For long, highway-based commutes, think about something a little larger and more substantial. In the Jeep family, that would mean a Compass (the least-expensive brand-new Jeep) or Cherokee. Or head to the Subaru dealership for a Crosstrek, which comes with all-wheel drive, has more standard ground clearance than a Renegade and offers a manual transmission — something the Renegade ditched a few years ago. Both powertrains are adequate. The base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder has 180 horsepower, which is strong for the class, but the Renegade is also relatively heavy. With 210 lb-ft of torque, the turbocharged 1.3-liter 4-cylinder alternative packs more punch. With either engine comes a 9-speed automatic transmission. It hasn’t been our favorite in the past (test drive a Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul, or Hyundai Kona for comparison), but it’s improved over time.
Interior Comfort
The Jeep Renegade is a 2-row/5-seater subcompact SUV. Just one look at its exterior dimensions is enough to figure out that the rear seat can be tight for adults, but most of its rivals aren’t any roomier. And the Renegade’s squared-off design translates to an airy cabin with plenty of headroom. Up front is a high seating position and good outward vision. The driver’s seat is comfortable, and the optional power-adjustable version makes it easy for most body types to find a position that works. Behind the rear seats is 18.5 cubic feet, expanding to 50.8 cubic feet when they’re folded. Both numbers are respectable considering the Renegade’s diminutive size, but the Honda HR-V has them beat. Another cool feature is the folding front passenger seat to accommodate long items like a surfboard. Small details like mud-splatter graphics on the tachometer and some “Easter eggs” (like the tiny bug graphic on the windshield and the map of Moab in a Trailhawk cubby lining) are just plain fun.
Exterior Styling
All the usual Jeep attributes are in evidence, like the round headlights, 7-slotted grille, short overhangs for rock climbing, and a generally rugged vibe. It’s as if the Renegade is a greatest-hits mixtape taking parts from the iconic Wrangler and the luxurious Grand Cherokee, all shrunk down to a tidy package just under 14 feet long. Its angles and upright glass area even “sample” from the Willys MB of the 1940s. Yet the Renegade still manages to be more modern than retro, with plenty of black trim and curving surfaces. And check out the cool “X” in its taillights derived from army jerrycans. The Jeep Renegade Trailhawk is arguably the best-looking of the bunch. It has the highest ground clearance at 8.7 inches (matched by the Subaru Crosstrek) and distinguishing elements like red tow hooks front and rear. The Trailhawk and Limited models stand out further with black roofs (instead of body-colored).
Favorite Features
SELEC-TERRAIN TURBOCHARGED 1.3-LITER ENGINE
Similar to the advanced 4-wheel drive systems found in Land Rovers, the Jeep Renegade’s system allows the driver to choose from up to five settings; Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and — in Trailhawk trims — Rock. The Trailhawk also includes hill descent control and a 20:1 rock crawl ratio.
Although it makes 177 horsepower compared with the base engine’s 180, it makes more torque: 210 lb-ft. This extra thrust is more easily felt in everyday driving and is a particular boon when driving off-road. It’s optional in the Latitude, standard in the two higher trims.
Standard Features
Trim levels are Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk, and Limited. The Sport includes power windows, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, and 16-inch steel wheels. This year brings more standard features such as forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance, plus an upgraded infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration and satellite radio. That’s much more equipment than last year, but we’d still recommend stretching to Latitude trim for automatic on/off headlights, cornering fog lights, illuminated vanity mirror, 2nd-row USB port, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a premium-wrapped (simulated leather) steering wheel (sounds trivial, but it’s the thing you’re always touching). It’s also eligible for more options.
Factory Options
The most off-road-worthy and toughest-looking Renegade is the Trailhawk. It also includes the turbocharged engine, 4-wheel drive with a low-range crawl setting, terrain-select with Rock mode and hill descent control, skidplates, full-size spare wheel/tire, and tow hooks. This model doesn’t come with forward-collision warning/automatic emergency braking. Limited and Trailhawk trims also have a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather seating surfaces, heated steering wheel/front seats, 115-volt outlet, remote engine start, and keyless entry/ignition. This year’s new editions start off with the Jeepster, based on Sport trim, but adding 19-inch alloy wheels, remote start, and various cosmetic details. The 80th Anniversary Edition augments Latitude trim with Granite Crystal-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, navigation, 8.4-inch touchscreen, Berber mats, and a few other additions. The Islander Edition, also based on the Latitude model, has a dual-pane sunroof and some Hawaiian-themed touches. Other options include a 9-speaker Kenwood premium audio system (not in the Sport, sadly), adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parallel/perpendicular parking assistance (Latitude and Limited).
Engine & Transmission
Sport and Latitude versions of the 2021 Jeep Renegade come with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Limited and Trailhawk trims have a turbocharged 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is optional in Latitude trim. The first two trims have front-wheel drive (2WD) as standard; 4-wheel drive (4WD) is optional. But the Limited and Trailhawk versions have full-time 4-wheel drive as standard. A 9-speed automatic is standard across the range. Four-wheel-drive versions can tow up to 2,000 pounds. The 1.3-liter turbo engine can run on 87-octane regular gasoline, but 91-octane premium is recommended. This engine also has a stop/restart system that cuts power at idle. If it becomes irritating, a button (below the transmission lever) turns it off. 2.4-liter inline-4 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-4
180 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg (2WD), 21/29 mpg (4WD)
177 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
210 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg (2WD), 23/29 mpg (4WD)
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Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.) We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.