2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler had an unmistakable road presence, retaining its iconic, rugged appearance with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. It featured exposed hinges and bolts, lending it an industrial look, and was equipped with removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a removable top, presenting itself as a veritable "recreational utility vehicle" rather than a mere commuter car. Within its cabin, Jeep employed a retro aesthetic with circular climate vents and gauges. This interior design made the most of the Wrangler's ergonomic limitations, integrating a blend of brutish utility and a hint of style.

The Wrangler Unlimited's trims varied from the Spartan Sport, featuring a basic 5-inch touchscreen and manual windows and locks, to the upscale Sahara with body-color fender flares, 18-inch alloy wheels, and advanced technological options. The Rubicon, the epitome of off-road prowess, was distinguished by larger mud-terrain tires, an enhanced suspension system, and a power-dome hood with distinctive "Rubicon" lettering. Multiple special editions, such as the Willys, Black and Tan, and others, added unique aesthetic and functional features, demonstrating Jeep's versatility in crafting different iterations of the Wrangler to suit varied preferences.

Conversely, the 2021 Jeep Renegade drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler, evident in its boxy profile, circular headlights, and upright seven-slat grille. Having debuted in 2015 and undergoing a refresh in 2019, the 2021 model continued to feature modern, functional cabin design elements akin to the Wrangler, such as an upright center stack. Available trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, offered various features and equipment levels.

The Sport trim came standard with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen, and more. The stylish Jeepster added keyless entry and remote start, while the adventure-centric Upland focused on off-road features. Higher trims, like the Limited and Trailhawk, provided luxury features and enhanced capabilities, respectively, reflecting the Renegade's well-rounded yet distinct character compared to the more rugged Wrangler.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was powered by a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. Alternatively, a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generated 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine introduced for 2020 produced 260 hp and a formidable 442 lb-ft of torque, making it adept at highway speeds and off-road navigation. Despite its off-road prowess, the diesel engine's abrupt shutoff and the Wrangler's significant road noise, unique blind spots, and wandering highway behavior due to its specialized tires and suspension were noted drawbacks. Still, features like the locking front and rear differentials and the disconnecting front sway bar made the Wrangler adept at handling off-road challenges.

The Wrangler's fuel economy with the diesel engine was reported at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. Though less efficient than typical small SUVs, it marked an improvement over the 4-cylinder turbo model's 21 mpg combined. Additionally, diesel's higher cost and limited availability posed considerations for potential buyers, making it essential to evaluate lifestyle and driving habits before opting for this powertrain.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Renegade offered a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. An upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, with slightly less power at 177 hp but a higher torque of 210 lb-ft, provided a more refined driving experience. Both engines were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering either front-wheel drive or available 4WD. Although neither engine was overly spirited, the turbocharged engine's additional torque and smoother acceleration were praised. The Renegade exhibited a composed ride quality, particularly in city settings, thanks to its short wheelbase and impressive maneuverability.

The Renegade also featured a terrain management system with various drive modes and an off-road-equipped Trailhawk trim. This trim's lifted suspension and enhanced ground clearance made it capable on trails, bolstered by its "Trail Rated" designation, distinguishing it from road-only SUVs.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came in two forms: the standard two-door and the more popular four-door Wrangler Unlimited. The Unlimited's versatility was highlighted by its removable doors, fold-down windshield, and various roof options, including soft tops, hardtops, and the Sky One-Touch roof. Although functionally adventurous, the Wrangler Unlimited offered 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench folded. This was less than other comparable but less capable SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, more tuned to urban utility, provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use. Despite falling short of the Kia Soul and Honda HR-V in cargo capacity, it boasted a boxy design contributing to ample headroom in both rows and sufficient legroom for front and rear passengers. The Renegade also featured various storage solutions and a fold-forward front passenger seat for added convenience, demonstrating its functional edge in space utilization over the Wrangler.

In 2020, the Jeep Wrangler's technology offerings ranged from a basic 5-inch touchscreen in the Sport trims to a more sophisticated 7-inch screen standard in the Sahara and Rubicon trims, featuring Uconnect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system was optional on higher trims, adding navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a premium Alpine audio system, which delivered impressive sound even at highway speeds.

For the 2021 Jeep Renegade, the standard 7-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to an optional 8.4-inch screen in mid-tier and higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, featuring logical menus, clear graphics, and a functional dock for major icons. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an available Kenwood premium audio system enhanced the Renegade's technological appeal.