The Jeep Renegade will be making an official return in 2030, as part of the US brand’s strategy to expand its global portfolio…
The next-generation Jeep Renegade will enter the global market in 2030 as an accessible sub-compact SUV. This announcement comes just over a year after the US carmaker discontinued the previous iteration. Jeep hasn’t provided any information regarding what we can expect from the new rendition, but it brings attention to the fact that 610 000 units of the previous model were sold globally. Die-hard Jeep fans didn’t recognise the Renegade as a true ambassador of the off-road-focused brand, but this sales performance highlights it as a winning formula.
Jeep highlighted the next-generation Renegade will reinforce its position in one of Europe’s key SUV segments and offer a new point of access to the market. Beyond the new Renegade, the company has confirmed it is planning to expand its global strategy beyond 2030.
Xavier Peugeot, Head of Jeep Brand Europe, has confirmed the company’s 2030 roadmap is centred on versatile models like the Renegade. The firm aims to cover 90% of the European SUV market by the end of this decade. Its catalogue will grow to include six models across the B-, C-, and D-SUV segments. Sales of the B-segment Avenger have reached nearly 300 000 units since launch. The new Compass strengthens Jeep in the C-segment. The Jeep Recon will mark the brand’s return to the D-SUV segment, followed by another new model in 2028. True to Jeep standards, all models in the lineup will feature a four-wheel-drive version.
Jeep Renegade’s history in South Africa
Jeep’s local arm currently only sells the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Gladiator. The Renegade officially debuted in South Africa in May 2015. It offered traditional Jeep styling, featuring the firm’s signature seven-slot grille design and square taillamps with “X” motifs. Built on the FCA Small Wide platform, which it shared with the Fiat 500X, the Renegade was available in Sport, Longitude, Limited, and off-road-oriented Trailhawk trims. Local sales concluded in late 2022 as Stellantis streamlined its regional lineup, making the 2022 model year the final iteration officially retailed in South African dealerships.
The flagship specification sold during the final year was the 1.4T Limited DDCT. This model featured a 1.4-litre MultiAir2 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 103 kW at 5 500 r/min and 230 N.m of torque at 1 750 r/min. It also came standard with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DDCT), which delivered power to the front wheels. This was enough to get it from 0-100 km/h in 11.0 seconds (claimed), before hitting a 181 km/h top speed. Jeep also claimed a combined fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km, from a 48-litre fuel tank.
Dimensionally, the vehicle measured 4 236 mm in length, 1 805 mm in width, and 1 667 mm in height, with a 2 570 mm wheelbase. The boot capacity was rated at 351 litres, which expanded to 1 297 litres when folding down the rear seatbacks. Standard equipment included a 7.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
