2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a purposeful yet expressive design, with primary trim levels including Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Special editions ranged from the affordable Jeepster to the pricey High Altitude. The base Renegade Sport trim started at $25,210, while the High Altitude trim, loaded with extras, reached an MSRP of $36,515. The High Altitude trim featured extra-cost paint, dark gray 19-inch wheels, and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, giving it a surprisingly grown-up look. However, the interior, dominated by hard plastic and an all-black color scheme, looked inexpensive despite the fancy details.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a more generic crossover appearance, with styling nearly identical to its competitors. It offered eight colors, though many were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors limited to higher trims. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with wood panels and chrome accents in higher trims. The CR-V's seats had a modern look with sharp details. While the CR-V's design was not particularly distinctive, it was functional and practical, fitting five people comfortably and carrying their gear efficiently.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission, standard with both engines, had front-wheel drive on base models and all-wheel drive on higher trims. The turbocharged engine provided energetic performance, but turbo lag and a transmission calibrated for fuel economy led to uneven power delivery. The Renegade averaged 23.6 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg, and had a small 12.7-gallon fuel tank. The Trailhawk trim offered the best off-roading capability with its Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth, steady acceleration but lacked engagement. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an extra-cost option. The suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality. While not the most exciting to drive, the CR-V provided predictable and reliable performance.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's boxy exterior design resulted in a spacious-feeling interior, with a far-away windshield, thick pillars, and vertical side glass. The panoramic glass roof added to the sense of openness. The driver's seat was comfortable with eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat space was cramped, and there were few practical interior storage spots. Cargo volume measured 18.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 50.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized function, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. The tailgate varied by trim, with manual operation on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free version on the Touring. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear efficiently, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade featured the Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Kenwood premium audio system provided good sound quality. The Renegade also offered a comprehensive driver information center and a parking assist system for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports in the front and second row, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim. The Touring trim also included a satellite navigation system with voice recognition.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered advanced safety features through the Advanced Tech Group, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and commendable scores from the IIHS, though it did not retain its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system made advanced safety features standard across all trims, including a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.