The Jeep Renegade Is Discontinued: Here’s a Look at Its Legacy

The Jeep Renegade entered the market in 2015 as one of the legendary automaker’s more affordable options. Like many new nameplates, the first few model years of the Jeep Renegade had some notable issues that made it unreliable. Luckily, the subcompact SUV evolved over the years and became a decent option, but it still had its flaws.

Now, eight years removed from the first model, it has been announced that Jeep is discontinuing the Renegade in the U.S. and Canada. As a Jeep Renegade driver myself, the announcement has me pondering the lasting legacy of this SUV. Of course, it was never one of the best small SUVs, but will the world remember it for its flaws, or will it be remembered for being a vehicle that stood out? Or, will the Jeep Renegade soon fade into the abyss and become another failed model that very few people remember?

Here’s a look into the now discontinued Jeep.

The 2015 Jeep Renegade has notable problems

The Jeep Renegade has quite a few notable problems. However, most of the vehicle’s mechanical issues are confined to the early models. This is particularly the case with the 2015 Jeep Renegade, as it was the very first model of the small SUV. Among all its problems, the transmission was the most notable.

According to CarComplaints, the 2015 Jeep Renegade has about 65 complaints related to the transmission. The most reported issue with the 2015 Jeep Renegade transmission is that drivers experienced surges and hard shifts. This can be incredibly off-putting while driving. Another issue with the transmission is that drivers noticed a hesitation while attempting to accelerate. Additionally, a much less reported issue is that some people experience transmission failure while driving.

The 2015 Jeep Renegade problems extended far past the transmission. There were also issues with the electrical system. Namely, there were several instances where the engine would either not start or not turn over. Additionally, buyers had problems with the battery going out far before it should have. Overall, the 2015 Jeep Renegade has over 1,000 complaints on CarComplaints.

The 2023 Jeep Renegade is an improvement

As with many new vehicles, it took a while for the automaker to work out the kinks in the Jeep Renegade. Because of this, some of the models after the 2015 Jeep Renegade also have quite a few complaints. However, many people would agree that the 2018 and onward models of the subcompact SUV are much better. Still, it would be hard to call the Jeep Renegade one of the best small SUVs on the market.

As mentioned, the 2023 Jeep Renegade will be the final model in the U.S. and Canada. Though not perfect, this is a fine way for the vehicle to bow out. According to Edmunds, the 2023 Jeep Renegade has a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-four engine with a maximum output of 177 horsepower and a torque of 210 lb-ft.

This is a four-wheel drive SUV that uses a 9-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, this is not one of the best small SUVs as it takes it about 9.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour. It’s fairly decent when it comes to fuel economy, averaging 23 miles per gallon in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.

People won’t remember this as one of the best small SUVs

If you’re wondering why Jeep discontinued the Renegade the automaker is deciding to focus on SUV segments in North America that continue to grow. In other words, the Renegade didn’t catch on nearly as much as the automaker hoped it would. Sure, there are several models on the road, but that doesn’t mean later options like the 2023 Jeep Renegade were all that popular.

So, how will the small SUV be remembered? Well, for sure, not one of the best small SUVs. This is because many people still associate it with problems from earlier models. Also, the Renegade still has some issues. For example, many of us are driving around with infotainment screens that no longer work. Not only that, but some of the later models still have those hard transmission shifts and surges. Still, this isn’t a bad SUV. However, I don’t see it having a lasting reputation like some of Jeep’s more famous options. The great thing is that people should be able to find it for cheap on the used market.