2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was a compact SUV that captured attention with its distinctive Jeep styling, including the iconic round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a range of trim levels, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, and special editions like the High Altitude, which we tested. Priced at $36,515 with extras, the High Altitude trim added a touch of luxury with features like a dual-pane panoramic glass roof and trendy 19-inch wheels. Despite these upscale touches, the Renegade's interior revealed its budget-friendly roots with hard plastics and a somewhat uninspired design.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication. Starting at $92,000, it offered a wide array of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to reach a staggering $250,000 for a fully loaded long-wheelbase version. Our test vehicle, the HSE Westminster special edition, was priced at $106,715 and featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine. The Range Rover's design, with its timeless lines and hallmark cues, was complemented by a luxurious Ivory-color interior. However, the infotainment system, while advanced, was not as intuitive as newer models, requiring some patience to master.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder producing 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Our test vehicle featured the latter, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While the turbo engine provided energetic performance, it suffered from turbo lag and a transmission focused on fuel economy rather than responsiveness. The Renegade's driving dynamics were a mixed bag, with a flinty ride and sloppy steering on highways, but more agreeable in urban settings. Fuel economy was below expectations, averaging 23.6 mpg, and the small fuel tank limited range.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Range Rover provided smooth and powerful acceleration. Its four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension delivered a classic wafting ride, while the steering, though slow in response, made city maneuvering easy. Fuel economy was slightly below the EPA estimate, averaging 18.5 mpg.

Inside the 2020 Jeep Renegade, the boxy design created a sense of spaciousness, enhanced by the panoramic glass roof. The driver's seat was comfortable with power adjustments, but rear-seat space was cramped, and storage options were limited. Cargo capacity was modest, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were luxuriously comfortable, but the rear seats lacked support and adjustability. Despite the opulent features, storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Cargo space was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet available and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade impressed with its Uconnect infotainment system, featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, though showing its age. A Kenwood premium audio system and a comprehensive driver information center added to the tech appeal.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while advanced, was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup and practice. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, some features lacked refinement. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included several safety packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.