Jeep Renegade vs Toyota bZ

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. By 2021, it had undergone a subtle refresh, with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD and two battery sizes. The larger battery provided more power, performance, and range. The bZ's design improved over previous models, with body-color trim enhancing its appearance. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, with a 14-inch touchscreen integrating climate control. The XLE's fabric seats featured an upscale pattern, and the digital driver display, though criticized for its placement, was part of the standard tech package.

The 2021 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 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or 4WD. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided better refinement and torque. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good cornering stability and maneuverability in tight spaces. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road capabilities, featured an 8.7-inch ground clearance and a terrain management system with multiple drive modes.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a single electric motor with a 57.7-kWh battery for 165 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and range to 314 miles. Dual-motor models produced 338 hp, with varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, with the bZ averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. The bZ's driving experience was agreeable, though it lacked one-pedal driving capability and had some traction control issues.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom and good legroom in the front seats, while the rear seats were suitable for adults. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and easy access. Both front seats had standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment in XLE and Limited trims. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was tight. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with an underfloor storage well and a rakishly angled rear window limiting maximum cargo space.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was generally easy to use, though it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data panels and had low-contrast colors in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect powered the native navigation system and Intelligent Assistant, which performed well in tests.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trailhawk trim lacked emergency braking. Despite these features, the Renegade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs. The Limited trim offered additional features like Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but its headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.