Jeep Renegade BU

The Jeep Renegade BU is the smallest member of the Jeep family and, since 2015, the entry point into the brand. Built on the Fiat 500X platform in Italy, it combines boxy retro styling with compact dimensions and a healthy dose of character. In the small compact SUV segment it is a likeable thing — the square bodywork and the Jeep-typical details set it apart from the crowd. As an affordable second car or city SUV with light off-road ambitions the Renegade has a genuine place, provided you can live with the familiar FCA weak spots.

In engine terms, only the 2.4-litre Tigershark with 133 kW is on the table here — and it happens to be the most problematic engine in the whole range. This MultiAir four-cylinder is a confirmed oil-burner: the piston rings fail to seal properly, oil consumption can reach up to a litre, and in the US this led to a multi-million-dollar class action. At too low an oil level the engine shuts itself down while driving — not a theoretical issue but a real hazard. Add to that a failure-prone MultiAir solenoid valve. Anyone buying a Renegade with this engine has to check the oil level almost religiously and should clarify oil consumption carefully before the purchase.

The ZF nine-speed automatic is, by common experience, even more reluctant in the Renegade than in the Compass — the jerking and hesitation are especially pronounced here. Anyone who values smooth driving should test this thoroughly on the drive. On top of that come further typical annoyances: the engine can shut off while driving, the brakes squeal sometimes straight from the factory, the underbody protection is inadequate — irritating on an SUV with off-road pretensions — plus sporadic check-engine messages with no clear cause and wiring harness problems.

When buying used, extra caution is therefore in order. A complete service history with documented oil changes is a must, and oil level and consumption on the Tigershark are the most important checks. On the test drive, watch the gearbox closely in city traffic, inspect the underbody for rust and damage, and have the fault memory read out. The Renegade is a charming, distinctive car with honest small-SUV character — but demanding to run technically, and with the Tigershark engine a candidate for expensive surprises. Anyone who buys one should know what they are getting into.