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Jeep Hasn’t Given Up on Its Most Affordable and Severely Underappreciated SUV

The Renegade is set to return for a second act.

Front side view of a red Jeep Renegade with black grille and black alloy wheels.Jeep
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By Chris Chin

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The saga of the Jeep Renegade isn’t over yet. Word from AutoExpress indicates that the Auburn Hills automaker will replace the current and ancient model with a second-gen successor.

Jeep first introduced the entry level model back in 2014, meaning it’s coming up on a whopping 12 years old next year. Because of its age, the automaker discontinued the model for US shores, but still sells it in Europe.

Initially, skepticism surrounded the Renegade’s fate after slumping sales and an indecisions whether to go electric or not potentially threatened its existence. But in the latest development, Jeep isn’t throwing in the towel just yet.

Not going all-electric after all

Yellow Jeep Renegade 4x4 SUV parked on a snowy forest road with frosted trees.
Jeep discontinued the Renegade for North America last year, but it’s not all over yet.
Jeep

Originally, Jeep and parent company Stellantis were betting on making the Renegade all-electric. But given the lukewarm state of the market, Jeep rolled back its plan since the company as a whole pumped the brakes on its EV strategy.

The plan, however, isn’t to omit an EV version entirely. Rather, the Renegade will follow Stellantis’ and Jeep’s “Freedom of Choice” strategy.

Close-up of a red vehicle's rear bumper with a white (RED) logo decal above the black plastic trim.
A new Renegade will happen and is expected to arrive closer towards the end of the decade.
Jeep

The latter essentially calls for a “multi-energy” approach, where Jeep will offer internal combustion engine, electric and potentially gas-hybrid propulsion options. It’s to provide customers with a choice rather than forcing them to adopt a specific powertrain.

The all-electric Renegade is currently under development and is expected to arrive sometime in 2027, according to Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa. Filosa announced the EV version earlier this summer.

White Jeep Renegade SUV with black trim and dark alloy wheels parked on wooden planks at sunset.
The next-gen Renegade will follow Stellantis’ “Freedom of Choice” multi-energy strategy.
Jeep

In a follow-up conversation with Jeep’s European product planning chief, Marco Montepeloso, also elaborated on the Renegade’s multi-energy plan.

“If you want to be relevant in all markets, you need to have a wide offering of powertrains to adapt to the different needs of the market,” Montepeloso also remarked in regards to the powertrain. “We need to give our customers this freedom, it’s key for sales. And I also think we need to stay flexible at this stage towards any potential evolution of the regulations in Europe.”

Interior of a black Jeep vehicle showing steering wheel, digital dashboard, center console with gear shift, and fabric seats.
At over 12 years old, the Jeep Renegade is certainly showing its age, where it’s still available.
Jeep

When the all-electric Renegade arrives, it’ll ride on Stellantis’ newest STLA Small platform. It’s the same platform that will also underpin other European vehicles like the next-gen Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa.

Speculation suggests a driving range of up to 300 miles or more.

The next Renegade will grow up a bit

Red Jeep Renegade SUV parked on a street in front of a brick building with large windows.
An all-electric Renegade might be the first model to debut under the second generation.
Jeep

The new Renegade will apparently grow a bit in size. That’s par the course for most new models and successors.

But more so, the Renegade could grow enough to step up in size from a subcompact classification, at least in Europe. That’s because Jeep revealed a new subcompact Avenger model for customers across the pond.

Car terrain control dial with settings for Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock, USB port, AUX input, and 12V DC power outlet.
The new Renegade will utilize Stellantis’ latest STLA Small platform.
Jeep

As of this writing, the Avenger is only available to European customers. But while the Renegade will be larger than the Avenger, it still will be smaller than the Compass.

If the new Renegade was to be compared to a current vehicle, Montepeloso equated its dimensions to something along the likes of the Mini Countryman.

Red Jeep Renegade SUV parked on a street in front of a brick building.
A hybrid and gas-only version may likely accompany the electric Renegade when it launches.
Jeep

“Personally, I really think there is space in the market between the Avenger and the new Compass, so we think that there is an opportunity,” Montepeloso told AE.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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