2015 Jeep Renegade

2015 Jeep Renegade

Episode 3436 , Episode 3449
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

While we as automotive enthusiasts tend to be wary of returning nameplates, as they rarely live up to the cars that originally used them, it can be done with success, as jeep proved with the new cherokee. Well, with that success in hand, jeep is now focused on the rapidly growing small crossover segment, and has placed the venerable Renegade name on an new model, with a new DNA.  

Renegade is defined as “one who deserts or betrays an organization.” So it’s a fitting nameplate for the 2015 Jeep Renegade, as it enters into a new segment for brand, and is clearly unlike any other jeep in the stable… …or is it? 

Jeep fans know that renegade not as a model name, but rather a trim package found mostly on cjs and wranglers. 

And while early photos, with its borderline-cartoonish appearance, made it hard to take seriously, in person, the subcompact renegade sports much better proportions while still saying classic jeep up front. But, less so in the rear ¾ view with the upwardly arched quarter windows. But, the x-motif in the taillights and elsewhere, playing off a ww II-style fuel can, is pretty cool.

As for its new DNA, the renegade is on fiat’s small-wide 4x4 platform that it shares with the 500l and upcoming 500x. Built in Italy, FCA hopes renegade will make jeep as popular in global markets as it is here.

One feature we haven’t seen on other new smallish-utes is removable roof panels. Renegade’s basic mysky system has two separate pieces that, when taken off, deliver some of that open air experience jeeps are known for. Mysky with a power sliding front panel is also available.

There’s not an abundance of room in the comfortable front seats, but more than you’re expecting; and that just means all of the controls fall close to hand.

Seat controls were manual in our latitude-trimmed tester, but they’re very beefy felling, not compact car flimsy. The instrument panel looks nice, if a bit gimmicky. there’s jeep logos and “since 1941” script everywhere. It can get a bit cheesy and some materials are more economy than rugged.

The uconnect screen is on the small side, but it gets the job done, and the overall look of the interior will undoubtedly appeal to the younger set. Rear seat room is good, but the seatbacks don’t quite fold flat for cargo.  

And while total cargo space is decent at 50.8 cubic-ft; 18.5 behind the rear seats; it falls well short of the Honda HR-V. Also, the mysky panels storage bag takes up a lot of floor space. 

Now, jeep wanted to make sure you can still do jeep-type things in the renegade, and the trailhawk model features a standard active drive low 4x4 system with terrain select  modes for snow, sand, mud, and rock. It’s clearly the only suncompact ute designed for true off-road use.

And you can still get jeep’s regular-strength active drive full-time 4x4 system in all other trims, which worked fine for us.  

On road, the renegade feels very car-like, with minimal roll in corners and heavy steering. It’s a solid package overall, with no squeaks or rattles from the roof panels, though wind noise can ring out at speed. 

As for powertrains, there are two. The larger, 2.4-liter tigershark I4 boasts 180-horsepower, and 175 lb-ft. of torque. Though a little rough at idle, there’s an impressive amount of power for a segment that mostly consists of sub-2.0-liter engines. 

And of course there is one of those available here as well, fiat’s 160-horsepower 1.4-liter multiair turbo-4 which comes with a 6-speed manual. 

The 2.4-liter gets a 9-speed automatic which worked okay. There’s still some occasional stumbling, but it’s definitely an improvement over early cherokees. 

At our test track, the 2.4 renegade snaps off the line like a sprinter, but quickly settles down into a marathon pace; reaching 60 in 8.6-seconds. Leisurely shifts compound the ¼-mile situation, which took 16.5-seconds to climb to 83 miles-per-hour. 

A relaxed pace was the way to go through our cone course too; as anything more, turns manageable understeer into full-on plow. An average stopping distance of 120-feet from 60 was not bad, but random locking and an unsettled rear needs to be improved upon. 

Government fuel economy ratings for a 2.4 4x4 are 21-city, 29-highway, and 24-combined. Our average of 25.4 of regular is certainly superior to an old xj; but we expected better from such a small-fry. Still the energy impact score of 13.7-barrels of oil use and 6.1-tons of annual CO2 emissions is healthier than average. 

We think jeep’s first attempt at a truly global small crossover will represent the brand well throughout the world, as it will be available in more than 100 countries. Pricing here in the good old U.S. of America starts at $18,990 for a sport; 4-wheel-drive adds 2-grand more. 

So, while its origins are off-shore, the 2015 Renegade still embodies much of what has made the jeep brand an American icon. Combined with a low price, it’s the perfect jeep for people who think they want a jeep, but really want a rugged-looking small crossover with all of the modern comforts they’ve become accustomed to. so, renegade is one traitor with a good cause. 

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.4 liter / 1.4-liter
  • Horsepower: 180 / 160
  • 0-60 mph: 8.6 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 16.5 seconds @ 83 mph
  • EPA: 21 mpg city/ 29-highway
  • Energy Impact: 13.7 barrels of oil/yr
  • CO2 Emissions: 6.1 tons/yr
2024 Buick Envista 2

2024 Buick Envista

Buick Adds A Scenic Vista To Crossover Country

Episode 4314
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

In case you missed it, Buick is now an all SUV brand. That’s right, no more new LeSabres or Regals prowling American streets. But with the new utility-minded mission also comes a new focus on style, and they’re about to shake things up in the small crossover segment with this all-new Envista.

If you’re like us, the first thing you notice about this all-new 2024 Buick Envista is that it’s gorgeous. While everyone else in the SUV world seems to be trying to out rugged one another, Buick creates their sleekest and best-looking SUV ever, then drops it right into the hot premium small crossover segment.

It’s low slung, has a long wheelbase, and a tall rear; but whatever you do, don’t call it a hatchback, even though there is no rear wiper. Minimal headlights are the most emphatic presentation yet of Buick’s “wing lighting”

Starting with base Preferred trim, you can than either go sporty with an ST, or premium with this Avenir, which gets a Black Ice chrome grille and Pearl Nickel 19-inch alloy wheels.

For now, this Envista is front-wheel-drive only, working with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

And producing the power, is a tiny 1.2-liter inline 3-cylinder turbo engine rated at just 137-horsepower and 162 lb-ft. of torque.

Despite the low numbers, it feels peppy off the line, and seems to be more than adequate when scooting around the urban environments that Buick claims the Envista was designed for.

2024 Buick Envista 3/4 Front
2024 Buick Envista Dead Front
2024 Buick Envista Front Detail
2024 Buick Envista 3/4 Rear
2024 Buick Envista Rear Detail
2024 Buick Envista 3/4 Front2024 Buick Envista Dead Front2024 Buick Envista Front Detail2024 Buick Envista 3/4 Rear2024 Buick Envista Rear Detail

The extra-long wheelbase allows for a good amount of space inside including for the rear seat occupants of the this 5-passenger utility, and lots of side glass helps to lend a spacious feel. We found front seats very comfortable.

The dashtop features an ultrawide display enclosure that is made up of separate screens, 11-inch for infotainment, and a very simple 8-inch driver display. The central touchscreen works well, and both screens are easy to read quickly.

Avenir luxury touches include unique stitching on the leather heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and a heated steering wheel, but a sporty-flair is present as well, with flat-bottom steering wheel and big traditional shifter.

Cargo capacity in back is 20.7 cubic-ft., expanding to 42.0 with the rear seatbacks folded. A power liftgate is standard with Avenir, but can be added relatively inexpensively to other trims.

Buick has applied their “Quiet Tuning” to the Chevrolet Trax chassis used here. It’s perhaps not quite as effective as in their larger utilities, but there was surprisingly little road and engine noise in the cabin.

Avenir also has an upgraded Watts link added to the simple torsion beam rear suspension; not necessarily to improve handling but for better road isolation enabling a smoother experience.

Though it seemed to hold up just fine in our handling course; but aggressive stability control did step in well-before we could really get a true sense of its limitations.

At a moderate pace with smooth inputs, there was very little understeer and a tolerable amount of body roll.

That peppiness we experienced on the street was present at the track too; but primarily just for getting you going. Once you got rolling and kept the throttle pinned, power delivery plateaued quickly and it was a lengthy 9.0-second trip to 60.

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The thing that seemed to be in the biggest hurry here was the transmission trying to get into high gear as soon as possible; something you’ll appreciate more on your commute than at the dragstrip where it manifested itself with a 16.8-second ¼-mile at 81 miles-per-hour.

There was a bit of a disconnected feel in panic braking, as the Envista seemed a little slow to respond. Still, stable 120-foot stops from 60 miles-per-hour rates good.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 28-City, 32-Highway, and 30-Combined; but we averaged a great 32.9 miles-per-gallon of Regular in our driving loop.

That’s a better than average Energy Impact Score, using 9.9-barrels of oil yearly with CO2 emissions of 4.9-tons.

Pricing starts at $23,495, and reaches $29,695 for Avenir. Obviously sticking with base to mid-level will get you the best value, but the top Avenir makes the premium case just about as well as any rival, and makes for legitimate cross shopping with an awful lot of non-luxury brands. Though no all-wheel-drive will surely be a deal breaker in northern climes.

You may have noticed there’s no longer a circle around Buick’s tri-shield logo, and much like they’ve visually set the shields free, Buick has unleashed their designers to make a statement in the small crossover segment. All in all, we’d say the 2024 Buick Envista is a great effort, continuing the Buick tradition of making premium vehicles attainable. If this is what they can do with their entry-level model, we can’t wait to see what comes next. And it sure is good looking.

Specifications

  • Engine: 1.2-liter I-3 turbo
  • Horsepower: 137
  • 0-60 mph: 9.0 seconds
  • 60-0 Braking (avg): 120 feet
  • MW Fuel Economy: 32.9 mpg (Regular)
  • Transmission: 6-speed automatic
  • Torque: 162 lb-ft.
  • 1/4 Mile: 16.8-seconds at 81 mph
  • EPA: 28 City / 32 Highway / 30 Combined