Western News: December 07, 2023

16
Thursday December 7 2023
Trailblazing Jeep Renegade leads the way
THE ICONIC Jeep is trail blazing
a new path for the brand as
it enters for the first time the low
emission world or electrification,
by offering a plug-hybrid
(PHEV) option across many of
its models.
The Renegade fires the opening
shot in the new electrified
Jeep range in the form of a
$69,990 AWD plug-in hybrid
being reviewed in this road test.
It is pricey for an aging, small
and quirky looking SUV. Carrying
the 4xe badge, PHEV and EV
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
models will underpin the most
efficient and environmentally
responsible Jeeps ever. The company
is shooting for the electrified
stars and aiming to have EV
offerings in each SUV segment
in the next few years. It’s already
started that journey here with
the recent launched fully electric
Avenger.
4xe models offer strong performance
and driving dynamics
across the Jeep catalogue, from
the Renegade to the Grand Cherokee
and everything between.
Each model features legendary
4x4 abilities fine tuned for more
than 80 years, while still an ideal
choice for everyday city driving
with an average all electric range
of 45-50km.
With E-Select modes – the
4xe driver can tailor the hybrid
power train to best suit each
trip from daily commuting in
pure-electric mode to extended
Incorporating
best motorbuys
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highway road trips with no range
anxiety, except for the totally
paranoid. All three modes are
selectable via three buttons. In
the test vehicle these are located
in the centre console.
The 4xe hybrid solution combines
enhanced performance
up to 177kW. This is a lot of
power for a small SUV. Given
its off-beat looks, it’s a performance
wolf in sheep’s clothing.
This impressive power output is
achieved by pairing a 1.3-litre
turbo petrol engine with an electric
motor nestled between the
rear axle, which is powered by an
11.4kW battery that can be recharged
while driving or through
an external power outlet.
While not the smoothest or
sweetest sounding motor, it is, if
nothing else a highly entertaining
drive – a little less so when
it runs out of battery power to
hurry things along. A six-speed
automatic does a competent
enough job. The test vehicle’s
transmission isn’t the most polished
in its class, with a few more
rough edges than you would
expect given its lofty price tag.
If you are looking for loads of
Ratings out of 10: Performance 7; Handling 7; Build
Quality 6; Comfort 6; Styling 6; Average fuel consumption
on road test 6.1L/100km; Value for money 5; Safety – Five
Star ANCAP crash rating. Qualifies for a $4025 clean vehicle
rebate until Dec 31, 2023.
Overall points out of 10: 6.5
cargo and cabin space the Renegade
offers little of either. Back
seat passenger space is particularly
tight, as is access in and out
of the rear doors. When it comes
to room it is shaded, or should
that be eclipsed, by the cheaper
top spec VRX Mitsubishi Eclipse
PHEV. The passenger compartment
design is neat, but a bit
fussy looking and has a bit too
much hard plastic trim on show
for a vehicle in this price bracket.
For a small SUV this one
makes a big play for the safety
tech high ground with standard
features that include Full LED
headlights, Forward Collision,
Lane Departure Warnings and
Traffic-Sign Recognition. Also
making the safety cut for this
model is Blind Spot Detection,
Park View Rear Backup Camera
with dynamic grid lines, and
Keyless Go.
Handling is safe and predictable
while body roll in faster
cornering is well contained.
Generally the test vehicle felt
as well-planted as much larger
vehicles across a variety of surfaces.
There is just enough road
feel to keep you connected and
involved in the steering action.
Suspension noise in low speed
around-town driving, especially
when travelling over poor road
surfaces, isn’t as well suppressed
as it should be for small SUV
with an almost $70k asking price
on its head.
My off-road rambling wasn’t
extensive and limited to a couple
of modest creek crossings and
a similar number of some farm
tracks that offered up a few steep,
short, sharp and well-weathered
gradients to test the Renegade’s
mettle. These challenges were
easily dispatched, and gave me
a timely reminder of why Jeep
has been an off-road champ for
decades.
Vaughan Pirie
owner operator
027 565 5577
vpbaeries@gmail.com
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