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Pedro Arrais review: Newest Jeep still an off-road winner

Make no mistake: Despite a “Made in Italy” sticker on the door post, the 2015 Jeep Renegade is worthy newcomer to wear the Jeep badge with pride, especially the Trailhawk model I drove last week.

Make no mistake: Despite a “Made in Italy” sticker on the door post, the 2015 Jeep Renegade is worthy newcomer to wear the Jeep badge with pride, especially the Trailhawk model I drove last week.

The image of a Jeep is of a no-nonsense, rugged utilitarian vehicle comfortable with a diet of mud, rocks and snow.

So when the company announced that they would be introducing a compact version based on a platform shared with a Fiat, there were more than a few raised eyebrows.

This is not Jeep’s first foray into the compact SUV market, with the Liberty debuting in 2002.

Although the Renegade may be the smallest, it is not the least expensive, with a starting price of $19,995. That puts the new model is above the Patriot, their least-expensive vehicle at $15,245, as well as the Compass in the brand’s lineup.

Many may question the wisdom of using a platform shared with a Fiat. But they may have forgotten than the current Cherokee also shares a platform with an Alfa Romeo.

With the acquisition of Chrysler by Fiat — the company is now known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles — the union has produced some unlikely Italian-American combinations, such as the Renegade.

It’s not to say that Europeans don’t know how to make a proper 4x4. Some very capable off-road vehicles come from Germany and Austria. But the Renegade’s family tree certainly isn’t auspicious, sharing many components with the recently introduced Fiat 500X.

I drove a Trailhawk model, not the most expensive (the Limited takes that title), but certainly the most off-road capable (or, as Jeep likes to call it: Trail Rated).

Honestly, I can’t attest to the Renegade’s off-road prowess as I typically road-test vehicles and the dealership probably wouldn’t be happy if I came back from a test drive with a few rock chips and mud everywhere.

What I can tell you is that the equipment that came standard looked impressive.

The Renegade comes with a choice of two engines, a turbocharged 1.4-litre or a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder. My tester came with the latter, mated to a nine-speed automatic.

The combination produces 180 hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque with a fuel efficiency rating of 11.2 litres per 100 km in the city and 8.0 on the highway. It is a perky powerplant, good for a zero-to-100 km/h dash in under 10 seconds.

But most people looking at a Jeep usually aren’t as much concerned with speed, but off-road ability. Be aware that the Renegade can be ordered with just front-wheel drive.

Thankfully, there are a number of available all-wheel-drive options. My tester was fitted with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction selector. A knob allows the driver to manually select between Snow, Sand, Mud or Rock settings. An Auto setting (the default) leaves it up to the vehicle to preselect the setting based on wheel slippage.

Jeep boasts the system employs a clutch-based power transfer unit (instead of a more traditional transfer case) to send power to the rear axle. In normal driving, the Renegade operates just the front wheels to reduce friction and aid fuel economy.

The equipment kit found in the Trailhawk is sure to warm the more serious off-roader’s heart: reduction gears on both axles, which effectively replicates a low-range gearbox (it has a 4WD Low and 4WD Lock button on the console), a 20:1 crawl ratio, extra ground clearance and standard skid plates. Compared with the Fiat, the Renegade also comes with taller, 215/65 R17 tires.

The Renegade, with the bigger engine, is probably the only subcompact SUV in its class to be rated to tow, with a 907-kg (2,000 lbs.) rating.

Despite its rugged abilities, the Renegade is an easy vehicle to live with, especially compared with the traditional Wrangler, the granddaddy of the line.

The Wrangler may be the most capable off-roader right off the dealer lot, but it isn’t the most comfy or practical. The Renegade is a child of the times, with a comfortable ride, a roomy interior for five, Bluetooth and more safety-related features (seven instead of two airbags for example).

My tester came with removable roof panels and a cold-weather package that included a heated steering wheel — talk about creature comforts.

One complaint would be that a back-up camera costs an extra $450, especially considering the Trailhawk’s $30,995 base price. The standard five-inch screen for the infotainment centre seems small compared with others. A 6.5-inch viewer, which comes with a navigation package, is optional.

One thing you may notice about the newest Jeep is the proliferation of Jeep’s signature round headlamps and grille on all sorts of unlikely places, such as the speaker grille. Even the taillights have an X that ties in with the image of the side of a vintage gasoline jerrycan.

While undeniably kitschy, the elements serve as a homage to the Jeep’s enduring heritage.

I began this review wondering how a Fiat could earn a Jeep badge. I must admit I have been charmed by this Italian-American. Not only does it embody the same virtues of Jeeps before it, it brings to the table new contemporary features necessary for the brand to successfully compete with a growing tide of wannabes in the marketplace.