2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The fifth-generation Honda CR-V, having graced the market since 2017, showcased a design that was both familiar and appealing by 2020. Honda's designers opted for a softer, more curvaceous set of lines, giving the CR-V a car-like appearance with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup. This compact crossover leaned more towards a station wagon aesthetic than a traditional SUV, defining the modern family vehicle paradigm from an exterior view.

Inside, the CR-V's interior quality varied significantly. Higher trims boasted luxurious touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, which clashed with some low-quality plastics evident in all trims. This blend of upscale and cheaper materials reminded users that even its pricier versions were upgrades of a standard commodity car.

The base CR-V was a front-wheel-drive (FWD) model, starting at an MSRP of $26,270. Honda maintained simplicity with only four trim levels: LX, EX ($28,720), EX-L ($31,270), and Touring ($24,470). All-wheel drive (AWD) was an additional $1,500 on all trims. Noteworthy exterior features included standard 17-inch alloy wheels on base models, with 18-inch and 19-inch options available on higher trims. Fabric seating adorned the lower trims, with real leather featured on the top trims. Roof rails were reserved for the top-of-the-line Touring model. The CR-V offered a modest retractable moonroof on all but the base trim, starkly contrasting with the panoramic sunroofs available on some competitors, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Launched in 2015, the Jeep Renegade was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, evident in its boxy profile, circular headlights, and upright seven-slat grille. By 2021, the Renegade's design had seen a refresh in 2019, retaining its rugged, off-road aesthetic while adding more standard features.

The Renegade’s interior favored functionality with a modern cabin design, an upright center stack nodding again to the Wrangler, putting controls within easy reach. Jeep offered numerous trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk.

Standard features varied by trim. The Sport included push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a USB port, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Jeepster added keyless passive entry and remote start. The Latitude provided two USB ports and opened options for packages, while the Upland included off-road enhancements. The higher trims, such as the 80th Anniversary and Islander, featured unique aesthetics and more advanced infotainment systems. The Limited trim embodied luxury with leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel, while the Trailhawk emphasized off-road capability with features like skid plates and all-terrain tires.

For 2020, Honda streamlined the CR-V's engine lineup by standardizing the previously upper-trim-exclusive 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims. This engine produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, designed to enhance fuel efficiency, occasionally took a moment to get going but otherwise offered a smooth and responsive driving experience.

With a curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V offered nimble handling, much like a small sedan. Steering was well-weighted, with minimal body roll, providing a balanced drive that was both firm and comfortable. Honda's engineering prowess ensured that the CVT avoided many of the common pitfalls, such as sluggish response and engine droning.

Fuel efficiency was a standout, with FWD models rated by the EPA at 30 miles per gallon (mpg) combined and AWD models at 29 mpg. These figures placed the CR-V at the top of its class. Additionally, Honda introduced a hybrid version in 2020, further enhancing its appeal for those seeking maximum fuel economy.

The Renegade offered two engine choices: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 177 horsepower but a more impressive 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and 4WD configurations.

Performance-wise, neither engine in the Renegade was particularly spirited. The 2.4-liter engine tended to be noisy when pushed, while the turbocharged 1.3-liter provided a bit more motivation thanks to its torque. The nine-speed automatic occasionally struggled with smooth shifts and timing. However, the Renegade's ride quality was commendable, with a composed suspension and good maneuverability in tight spaces. Its robust visibility made it an excellent city vehicle.

The Renegade offered a terrain management system with multiple drive modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities, especially in the Trailhawk trim. The Trailhawk, with its 8.7-inch ground clearance and special off-road suspension, lived up to its “Trail Rated” badge, making it a capable off-road performer.

Honda’s mastery in vehicle packaging was evident in the CR-V. Despite its compact dimensions, the CR-V's cabin was spacious, rivalling class giants like the Volkswagen Tiguan. Front and rear headroom and legroom were generous, thanks to an optimal seating position that improved front visibility. The cargo space was equally impressive, offering 75.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded, matching the Tiguan despite being three inches shorter.

Honda provided clever storage solutions throughout the CR-V. The center console between the front seats featured a deep well with a sliding cover, reminiscent of the Honda Odyssey minivan, and ideal for securing items. The rear offered a smart two-position load floor, allowing users to maximize cargo space or create a flat floor. Even door pockets were thoughtfully designed, extending behind the lower door panel for additional space.

The Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in place. Though these figures were above average for the subcompact SUV segment, they were outdone by rivals like the 2021 Kia Soul and 2021 Honda HR-V, which offered 62.1 and 58.8 cubic feet, respectively.

The Renegade's boxy design translated to excellent headroom in both rows, with commendable legroom in the front seats. Rear seat legroom was less generous but still adequate for adult passengers. The Renegade excelled in providing useful storage solutions, from small cubbies and trays to optional equipment tie-downs. The front passenger seat could fold forward, doubling as a table or creating extra space for long items.

In its fourth year, the CR-V’s infotainment system was showing its age. The base LX trim’s 5-inch screen was woefully undersized and lacked features beyond basic Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora compatibility. Even the 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims seemed small compared to competitors. Furthermore, the Honda infotainment system was awkward to use, requiring multiple taps to switch functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available on higher trims.

However, Honda ensured adequate USB connectivity in the EX trims and above, with two ports in the front and two high-powered ports in the back. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger for 2020, accommodating modern connectivity needs.

The Renegade’s standard infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional upgrade to an 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, renowned for its logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock for major functions. Both screens also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. For audiophiles, a Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, offering forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control on all trims. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert were available from EX trims and higher.

The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), albeit with a note that only the Touring trim’s LED headlights scored well.

For 2021, Jeep made many safety features standard across all trims, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors remained optional.

Despite these additions, the Renegade received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests. Parallel parking assist was also available as an option.