2019 Jeep Renegade: Refreshed Mini-ute Debuts - Where Else? - in Turin

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The smallest American Jeep model underwent a nip and tuck for the 2019 model year, and its parent company decided to take the bandages off at the Wednesday’s Turin Motor Show. Only natural, given its Italian architecture.

While Jeep’s Renegade currently serves as the first rung in a tall (and soon to be taller) ladder, there’s a smaller sibling planned for overseas markets. Here, we can expect its entry-level status to remain intact. So, what does 2019 hold for the little ute? A greater attempt at visual brawn, for one, plus three new engines.

These diminutive three-and four-cylinders could be for European customers only. There’s a turbo 1.0-liter three-cylinder making 120 horsepower, a 150-horse 1.3-liter four-cylinder, and a 180 hp version of that same engine.

Jeep hasn’t said if either the turbo 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder or naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Tigershark engine found in North American models will stand aside for the coming model year, but apparently there’ll be word on that later this month. The two American mills offer fairly similar torque outputs (184 lb-ft for the turbo, 175 for the Tigershark), but go about delivering it in different ways. A six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic are the transmission choices for the existing model.

The most noticeable changes to the 2019 model involve the front bumper, now completely reformed and boasting a larger lower air intake, side vents, and foglights moved further inboard. Renegade’s characteristic grille gains wider slats, flanked by headlamps that mimic its brawnier Wrangler sibling. An LED ring circling the headlamp provides daytime illumination.

Out back, the only noticeable changes are a pair of revised taillights (where “X” still marks the spot), and a visible handle for liftgate operation.

Renegade sales slipped slightly in the U.S. in 2017 after hitting a high water mark the year before — it’s first full year on the market. Over the first five months of 2018, sales fell 4 percent compared to the same period in 2017. With the exception of the Grand Cherokee, which posted a year-to-date volume loss of 5 percent, all other Jeep vehicles saw generous sales increases this year.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
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