Second only to the Wrangler in Jeep’s legendary stable of off-road capable SUVs, the 2011 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4WD comes only in the trail-ready on-demand four-wheel-drive configuration. This rugged five-passenger midsize Sport Ute, though rough and ready, still boasts such standard appearance features and creature comforts as 16-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack with side rails, cloth seats, reclining second-row seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, speed control, tilt-wheel steering, electronic vehicle information center, air conditioning, single-CD player with six speakers, and satellite radio. Options, meantime, include leather-trimmed seating, a 30-gigabyte hard drive and GPS navigation with the Media Center Package, upgraded audio, a power glass sunroof or Sky Slider power-opening canvas roof, UConnect hands-free communications, universal garage door opener, remote engine start, a trailer towing package with trailer sway control, and automatic climate control. Additionally, the trail-rated Renegade boasts 64 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded.
Passengers can feel a little safer when headed up or down the goat path with the 2011 Liberty Renegade 4WD’s four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, front fog/driving lights, and post-collision safety system. Rear parking sensors are an optional safety item as well.
The 2011 Liberty Renegade 4WD is powered by the standard (and only) 3.7-liter V6 engine that mates with a standard four-speed automatic for 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. The automatic transmission additionally boasts descent control, a brake hill holder, and auxiliary transmission fluid cooling. The on-demand 4WD system, meanwhile, features electronic hi-lo gear selection and auto-locking hubs, but all this cuts mileage to an estimated 15/21 mpg, even with deceleration fuel cutoff. As with its siblings, the Renegade 4WD is capable of hauling 5,000 pounds of trailer with the proper equipment.