Compared to platform brother Fiat 500X, the all-new Jeep Renegade is a little more potent off the beaten track. The Euro NCAP isn’t interested in how the B-segment crossover SUV tackles muddy ruts, but how much protection offers in potential crash situations.
Assembled at the FCA’s Melfi, Italy plant alongside the Fiat 500X, Jeep's smallest model yet is also the first product the American brand makes exclusively outside of North America. Despite its place of birth and the Fiat-GM SCCS platform which is around 9 years old, the Jeep Renegade is pretty versatile.
If you don’t need the full-on, “Trail Rated” Trailhawk model, but a simple city dweller, you can also go for a turbo diesel-fed variant coupled to a very smooth ZF 948TE nine-speed automatic transmission.
Speaking of city driving, the Euro NCAP safety whiz kids tested the Renegade’s automatic braking and forward collision warning functions and it didn’t disappoint. After that, the Euro NCAP boffins put the 2015 Jeep Renegade through a series of crash tests, testing its rigidity and the protection it offers.
Weighing 1,390 kilograms (3,064 lbs), the 1.6-liter turbo diesel Limited with FWD model the institute tested isn’t as light as you might’ve expected a subcompact SUV to be. Nevertheless, the Jeep Renegade's passenger compartment didn’t flinch in the 64 km/h (40 mph) frontal impact crash.
However, protection against whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision is marginal for front and rear occupants. As for pedestrian protection, the front edge of the hood doesn't offer good pelvis protection.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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