2016 Jeep Renegade Sport 4x4: Off-Road Test 

This is a really good review. I'm an automotive journalist so I see lots of people trying to do informative videos, but yours really does inform. I love the little bits of info you share, like the rubber isolated rear subframe on the 4WD models or the fact that you lose the spare when ordering MySky system. I also like that you tested the base model. Hardly anyone does that anymore.

Thanks again for testing a base model with base engine rather than loaded. btw I think front rear and overall styling is an homage to the SCOUT. RIP ;-)

finally, someone gets it...thank you sam for driving an entry level model/trim WITH a manual...it still hit the $24k mark and just think, the renegade can easily touch $30k...unreal for such a small vehicle...personally, I think the THawk should top out at 26 and the model you tested should be at $19-21k...at the price tested ($24k), a manual forester 2.5i can be had too, but color options are not in the forester's favor...at least Jeep is allowing fun colors in their "fun" vehicles. I would also spring for the extended warranty

This guy gave me the confident to buy one and I’m about to go through some trails here in Washington. Thanks for the review. You’re the only one with base model review I can find on this renegade.

Awesome capabilities test drive! Thanks! I just picked up my pretty much brand new (26kms) 2016 Renegade Sport 4x4 manual 6-speed a month ago to take me through the Canadian winter in Saskatchewan. It's not winter yet but I've sure enjoyed driving this so far. I was deciding between this and a Wrangler and although I was hesitant going with the Renegade, I'm so glad I did. I love driving this! Perfect combo of comfort, performance and style. I am fully confident after watching this that my Renegade will tackle the Canadian winter just fine!

This is the review I've been looking for. Nice job.

i am glad to finally see the base model review

I was searching for this video after 3 yrs. Still its awesome, so is the reviewer.

Great Review. This was really helpful before I went to purchase a 2017, which I believe is virtually identical except it now has push button start. I am very happy with the car so far. Thank you Sam.

Awesome review! I've had my 2017 sport 4x4 for 3 weeks now and I've loved it even before I test drove it! Affordable and enough features on the sport trim to make me not want the higher up trims because I don't want to treat it like a kid glove, I want to get it dirty!!

This is the perfect fun Jeep with fun, and value. Reminds me of what happens when a Wrangler was in the wash and dryer too long, and it shrunk, and picked up an Italian accent. I am impressed with this car. Even more so than the Cherokee. Plus you can mod this one because you have money left over for the "Rubber Ducky". Loved the review Sam. You are right on, on this one for sure.

This good review was one of the reasons I bought my 2017 Renegade Sport 6-speed manual. What a fantastic engine/transmission combo. Light clutch action and smooth shifting make it a delight. Shocking amount of power from the willing 1.4Turbo powerplant. Third gear pulls are really strong. Abundant passing & merging power if you are in the correct gear. Plus, the handling in the 4x2 models is far bettter than you would ever expect. Great job by Fiat on the suspension tuning. Tight as a drum with good feedback. This Jeepster is far more stable on the hwy than you would expect for a tallish, boxy vehicle with short wheelbase. Jeep really hit a home run with this configuation. Too bad they've already phased it out and you can no longer get a Renegade with this very reliable Fiat motor, nor a manual transmission. Sadly, if I were in the market now I'd probaly have to buy the Honda HR-V with a manual.

Silly fun car in the build I would get if I wanted it, tested out in the exact scenarios I would use it in - great job Sam.

I bought the Lattitude trim and I love mine!

one of the best reviews on the renegades...

I've got this model. The little turbo four is pretty great, and it goes farther off road than it probably should.

Great review! I think one big thing to mention when getting a sport, latitude or limited in 4x4, the approach angle is considerably less than a trailhawk. I can imagine a bunch of first time or occasional offroaders going out and destroying that plastic lip on the front bumper. As you mentioned in your video, I think the trails you took it on are perfect for this spec renegade.

Got a deal on my 2018 1.4T 6 speed 4wd, been very happy so far, gets great gas mileage, and if I need to go a bit off-road it does great. Thank you for a review of a "normal" car and not the top-of-the-line model.

Fantastic review. Appreciate your insights and also how you did not use the Trailhawk which only has an automatic gearbox and is not the best for day to day driving on regular roads. Thanks.

The sport trim does not typically come with everything listed in this review. Many of the bells and whistles in this video are added options. If your looking at a sport model and have a particular feature in mind you may want to double check to make sure it is included.

Subscribed! Great personality and awesome review!

Great review Sam. Loved all the info and the hidden jeep logos. Question; how many RPM's was it turning at a steady 65 and/or 75 mph? I previously had a small VW, in Europe, and at highway speeds it reved high and basically negated the small engine MPG's advantage. Great in the city not so much on long road trips.

That's one really good video. I'm subscribing to your channel, good job!

It took me a month to notice on mine that in the rear window at the bottom there's a mountain with a sasquatch walking up it. Right where the wiper blade pivots from. It's only noticeable from inside the vehicle because of the tint.

Just got one as a gift so far so good

I have a 2016 Jeep Renegade sport with air, 4x4, and alloy wheels for $17,000 and it performs well in North East Ohio winters.

Jut picked up a loaded 2018 Renegade Trailhawk version and I love it. What I especially love is that I got it used with 1,633 miles for 24K. Brand new, it is 34K, so I feel I got a great deal for taking a used with low, low mileage!

Dude, you look so, BEAST!

I bought my 2018 BU Sport manual 4x4 this past May and with no trade in or money down I paid only $17,026! I love it as much as I did when I bought my 1995 YJ new. I don't "crawl" any more but my Renegade could handle some lite trails and some mud. Only wish I could tow a john boat.

The manual parking brake would be sweet, but I love mine. I have the manual with the altitude package.

Just bought a 2019 Jeep Renegade Latitude 4x4. Amazing little SUV! It handles so nicely. There is a bit of wind noise because of the shape of the Renegade. I do not have the roof panels. I opted out of that option because I feel I would never use it. I was considering the Trailhawk, but it is unlikely that I will be needing the "Rock" mode on the 4WD system. The amount of head room in the Renegade is great, as I am tall. You really get a lot for $29,600 price tag. This video is spot on.

top notch review

How well will it handle the abuse over time?

One of your best reviews Sam! E brake.... Lol

I have the Jeep Renegade Limited. It has the manual option to shift to 4 x 4 sand/snow/mud. I'm about to do some off roaden at Corolla beach NC. Typically I always assumed that driving on sand required the driver to reduce my psi to 25. Being that my Renegade has an "Sand 4x4 drive ability/option" do I have to still reduce my psi with this Jeep?

Just purchased a manual Renegade Sport and can't wait to pick it up next week. I'm 6'4" and there is loads of room both leg and head (nobody ever mentions this). Giving up my 03 TJ but she was getting to be too costly, plus I'm getting older and my need for comfort and air con are greater. Going to lift it as well before I hit the trails.

Thank you for the base review and taking it on the road and off to the trails we all know it’s not a rock crawler like you said! For people wanting to buy this vehicle “like my self” fiat is the worst car manufacture I’m still on the fence of buying this vehicle for my general camping experience and second vehicle if you buy one as a former finance and GM of of used and new stores I would definitely buy a used one. Once again you did a great job on the experience of this vehicle!!! Reliability is everything to me so keep that in mind

Finally, somebody who doesn't feel compelled to rag on the Jeep iconography "easter eggs" that are in the vehicle. It's like everybody else tries to put on this totally solemn, "adult" face and act like it's "below" them. It's ridiculous and misses the point. I'm 64 and love all that stuff. No, I didn't buy the car because of it, but I was amused when I found out about them. As you say, this car has a "soul" and is about "fun", it's not an "appliance" like every other SUV box on the road. I've had one for two years, and yes, it's had some "issues", but I knew it wasn't a Toyota when I bought it. I had a Toyota Matrix for 16 years before I got my used '16 Renegade 75th anniversary with a manual stick and MySky roof. The Toyota was amazingly reliable, not complaining one bit, never put a nickel into that thing except for brakes, but it just didn't have the "fun factor" going for it. I love the kind of silly, boxy "tonka truck" look of the Renegade, it puts a smile on my face. Granted, as I've heard some reviewers say, it's polarizing and something that people are going to love or hate. I love it and I'm glad somebody had the guts to review it in the proper "spirit".

This is so beautiful

Ok I'm usually a asshole when it comes to leaving comments on the Jeep Renegade. This was the first review that made me want to go actually look at one in the dealership. Good Job.

How does it do on gas?

Sam, I also live in the Phoenix-area. What road were you on at around the 10:00 minute mark? It looks like a fun road for my Xterra. Thanks and keep the reviews coming!

I have a sport Rene I love it

Ahhh!!! This is exactly what I’m looking at right now, used and a manual!!! I’ve only owned 2 automatic and the rest of my vehicles have been manual!!! I don’t understand why people hate the renegade?!

I was thinking about purchasing a Renegade sport 4x4 as a temporary fill-in for the Wrangler sport I want, but can't afford it just now. For only $4,000 difference I think I'll just wait until I can afford the Wrangler. If the Renegade was just a couple grand less, I probably would have picked one up. Also the name "Renegade" is confusing since in the past it has been often used to denote trim packages for various Jeep models.

where in particular do you take those 'off-road' trails??

Did he say where he was here?

I love it !!

Thank you for the review, probably the best one around on the 4x4 sport manual renegade (best config in my opinion)

You know it was really hot outside when Sam is wearing shorts. Ha ha. Good review. I didn't know this configuration of Renegade existed. You could have gave it the nickname short bus, but people may get offended by that.

I like the review; where was this filmed?

Would it be wise if I purchased a renegade used ? Or go for 2017 trim ?

Love your review very thoughtful but you need to also consider other climates like Canada the snow factor and the beauty of this vehicle within a snow environment is also important to be considered in the sport. It has more capabilities than we give a credit for carries the jeep badge and it’s made in Italy wow

Thanks for the fine review! This must be the sweet spot in the line. We rented a Renegade Trail-hawk and drove it on the moderate jeep trails in Death Valley. Yes, it did VERY well on the trails - better then on the road where the almost 9" of clearance combined with the tall max headroom body and narrow track to diminish pleasurable street driving. The 2.4L in-line 4 is a crude running engine with NVH apparently designed to move buyers to the V-6 in the larger Jeeps. The 9 speed auto isn't anybodies favorite, but it can be shifted manually in the rough stuff. But the 30k+/- price tag??!

16k new now good. its stronger then the 500x has strnger suspension. all cars have same frame et

I also live in Arizona :D subscribed!

It looks like a good fun vehicle I dont always want a high bling car, a fun car is better

just got my 2018 6spd 4x4 1.4t no ac or cruise control but everything else same 14,500 new

My wife has a 2018 Sport. 2.4L auto. Same color. (Big Bird). We have given it a 2” lift. We put bigger Toyo Open Country A/T tires. Added a from Aries brush guard with 20”light bar, roof basket, 50” light bar on roof. Plus decals of course. We have taken it to mud wholes, beaches, and trails. She goes where I go in my Wrangler. By the way with an automatic put it in 4x4 and manual mode. Leave it in first gear and this little thing will climb rocks! Check out our Instagram. jeep_big_bird_clifford.

I like steel wheels like that myself I don't like the ones that get hubcaps and have all the little holes, I feel they should accept "hey these are steel" and make nice steel wheels instead of using plastic

Can you choose what to get manual or automatic?

google says that this car has 6,7 inch's of ground clearance Thats not much if they are right

How has Jeep gone from AMC to Fiat?(and no jokes about how AMC used to use re-badged Renault products). Also, the Fiat 1.4L Multiair isn't the greatest engine in the world but it seems very content in this vehicle thanks to the gearing. If I was forced at gunpoint to pick either this or the 3.6L Jeep Patriot, I'd probably get shot or pick the 3.6L Patriot though. Auto aside

"Nice 110 degree day out" WEARS A TOQUE

It looks like a fun car to drive but without skid plates, all terrain tires, and a full size spare tire, I'd be reluctant to take it off road, even as mild a dirt road as tested in the video.

It' a real shame these little trucks don't have a transfer case! Good video though, most off-road reviews on RU-vid are for the trailhawk version, and on courses provided by jeep.

FYI it’s a fiat 500x chassis

I play this song wen I'm home alone n I pretend like I'm dj in a club

would you say this fiat renegade is better overall than the fiat Cherokee? time to upgrade from my not a fiat Patriot. like the Reviews

What no one wants to admit is that the Patriot is better...more room, less stuff to break, and cheaper to own. More ground clearance... And they killed it for a 2018 Compass that is basically, to the Cherokee what the new, upcoming Nissan Rogue Sport is to the Rogue.

It's a Fiat 500 crossover. Gotta love rebadging. At least it's not a cvt. I didn't catch, does it have locking diffs? If it doesn't have locking diff it's awd not 4x4

This has to be arizona

Ignore me

Great review! Just remind everyone that this is a Jeep -- the the quality ain't that great.

Why is he wearing a bank robber's beanie?

I don't think I would trust a FIAT out in the middle of a desert :)

Who cares about the yellow color. That does not make a vehicle.

It's OVER rated, just a FIAT product with Jeep trim and trademark, suggest checking "Consumer Reports" reliability ratings on this model.. FIAT products in general, simply don't hold up & have poor reliability ratings.. Based upon other reports, I wouldn't touch this model with a 10 ft. pole..

I love the Rubber Duckie!!!! I've been saving now for two years to buy one. I shall call mine the Quack Quack as well. I have committed myself to the yellow hands down. Although after discovering the green one I was swept off my mark by it. Should I change my mind and get the green I shall call it My Little Kiwi. I doubt I shall ever to do the off road thing but I do live in an area where there are a great many dirt roads and I have family and friends who live on roads such as that. At least now I know more about the Sport than I did and I definitely do not want a manual gear shifting challenge again. My first vehicle was a manual and it was fun. I'm so over that now. Really great video and as Joe Tralongo stated this is a really great review.