2023 Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Wrangler has poor fuel economy, wind noise, an uncomfortable interior, and reliability scores near the bottom of Consumer Reports’ rankings. Despite those results, the Wrangler has been popular for decades. Next to endless options of aerodynamic compact SUVs, its boxy, military-inspired design makes it timeless and charming. It’s also especially capable off-road, and is available as a pickup truck. The Wrangler’s rugged appeal benefits the rest of Jeep’s lineup of small, medium, and large SUVs. The Cherokee and Wagoneer, despite their name’s historical appeal, usually score low on Consumer Reports’ customer satisfaction surveys. However, shoppers drawn to the Jeep name who are comfortable with sacrificing handling and fuel economy for three-row capacity can consider the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Low reliability scores across the brand make it difficult to recommend buying a used Jeep.

Built in Italy, the Renegade is Jeep's first subcompact SUV. It offers traditional Jeep features such as some off-road ability and open-air driving via its large, removable sunroofs. It offers two four-cylinder engines: a 1.4-liter turbo and a 2.4-liter. Most versions will come with a nine-speed automatic, but some front-wheel-drive models can get a six-speed manual. An off-road-worthy Trailhawk tops the range. Optional safety features include forward collision and lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross path detection, and a backup camera. Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system is available. Updates for 2021 include standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on all trims (except for the Trailhawk), lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning. Also, the standard infotainment system now comes with a 7-inch screen.