Jeep has been reliably building SUVs and off-road vehicles for years. This article will help you decide between Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler. We will look at the price, horsepower, towing capacity, off-road capability, maintenance costs and fuel efficiency.
Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler Price
The MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) for a 2023 Jeep Renegade starts at $27,850 and can go up to $32,970 depending on the configuration. In contrast, prices for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler start at $31,995. They can even grow to $91,545.
The price category therefore clearly goes to the Jeep Renegade.
Horsepower
Depending on the engine the Jeep Wrangler comes with 270 HP (2.0 L and 4 cylinders), 285 HP (3.6 L and V6), or 470 HP (6.4L and 8 cylinders). The Jeep Renegade has only comes one motor option. It has 177 HP with a 1.3 L engine.
The Jeep Wrangler wins the horsepower category with three different types each with more HP than the Renegade.
Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity
As Jeeps are often used as work vehicles, towing capacity is another purchase criterion.
The Jeep Renegade has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. Depending on the model type, the Jeep Wrangler has a towing capacity of 2,000 to 3,500 lbs.
The Jeep Wrangler wins this category with a higher towing capacity.
What can a Jeep tow with a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs?
With a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs your Jeep can tow:
- Small camper
- Small boat
- Pop-up tent trailer
- ATV or UTV in a trailer
- Midsize jet ski or snowmobile on a trailer
What can a Jeep tow with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs?
With a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs your Jeep can tow:
- Fully loaded 6×12 enclosed U-Haul trailer
- Two-horse animal hauler
- 17-foot camper
- Fullsize jet ski or snowmobile on a trailer
- Toyota Prius
Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler Off-road Capability
If you enjoy driving your Jeep off the beaten track, off-road capability is a purchase criterion. Due to its design, the Jeep Wrangler has an advantage over the Jeep Renegade in this category. A Wrangler is built with the aim that you can also drive on dirty tracks. A Renegade feels more comfortable on conventional roads.
This category goes to the Jeep Wrangler.
Maintenance Costs
The annual maintenance cost of a Jeep Renegade is $498. The cost of a Jeep Wrangler is $694 for the same interval. The maintenance costs for both vehicles increase from the sixth year of use.
Of course, repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and workshop.
The Jeep Renegade wins the maintenance costs category.
Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler Fuel Efficiency
Do you like to stop at the gas pump as rarely as possible with your Jeep?
The decisive criterion in this case is the fuel efficiency of the Jeep. There are various influencing factors to consider here
- Engine volume
- Horsepower
- Air resistance of the vehicle
- Weight of the vehicle
The Jeep Renegade has a smaller engine volume (1.3L) and less horsepower (177 HP) than the Jeep Wrangler (starting from 2.oL and 270 HP). The exterior design of the Renegade is less edgy, resulting in less air resistance. The curb weight of the Jeep Renegade is 3,210 lbs. The Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, weighs at least 3,970 lbs.
The result is that the Renegade gets around 22.5 MPG (10.5 L per 100 km) in the city and 28 MPG (8.4 L per 100 km) on the highway. The Jeep Wrangler gets 16.5 MPG (14.3 L per 100 km) in the city and 19.5 MPG (12 L per 100 km) on the highway.
The Jeep Renegade therefore wins the fuel efficiency category.
Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler Decision
If you add up the individual category wins of the vehicles, you can see that there is no clear winner in the Jeep Renegade vs Jeep Wrangler battle. Both Jeeps won three categories.
Again, it depends on your individual needs and wishes.
Do you need a Jeep that is suitable for city driving and consumes comparatively little fuel? Your choice is the Jeep Renegade.
Do you need an all-terrain Jeep and have to tow things regularly? Then choose the Jeep Wrangler.
