Trinitonian 16 ONLINE

CAR REVIEW
CHANNEL
YOUR (CIVILISED)
INNER RENEGADE
What do you get if you cross the rugged Jeep look with a comfortable
car for city streets and the functionality of a compact SUV? The
Renegade – Jeep’s cute, quirky and versatile subcompact SUV that’s
perfect as a small family car, or even a first vehicle for your matriculant.
By Tamara Oberholster
We drove the Renegade Longitude,
which Fiat Chrysler Sandton says is
currently their top-selling Jeep model.
This version of the Renegade has a
1.4litre turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with
an automatic transmission. We found it easy to
drive and responsive to driver input as we cruised
through suburban streets and highways. It takes
off quickly, offers a smooth ride, and has enough
voema to overtake easily on the freeway.
With the beloved seven-slotted grille and boxy
shape, it’s definitely a Jeep, and with its original
styling details like the X-shaped rear lights, it also
lives up to its name, Renegade, and stands out
from the rest of the subcompact SUV category.
We particularly liked the side roof rails, which
come standard on this model, and the leatherwrapped
steering wheel. The ride height and
ground clearance (175mm) make clearing
potholes a breeze and contribute toward a
pleasant driving experience.
Inside, the cabin has been optimised to ensure
the best use of space. Because of the Jeep
profile, there’s more headroom than many
rivals offer, and the backseats can comfortably
accommodate three children or two adults. The
Renegade has two sets of LATCH connectors
for the rear window seats, as well as an upper
tether for the rear middle seat, meaning it’s well
equipped for child car seats.
78 | The Trinitonian