Flash Drive

2017 Jeep Renegade Deserthawk

April 1, 2018 - Featured, Flash Drive - Comments: 
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Model Tested: 2017 Jeep Renegade Deserthawk 4×4

The 2017 Jeep® Renegade Deserthawk is a limited edition with unique graphics and protective sill rails.

Engine:2.4-liter 4-cylinder, 180 horsepower, 175 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 21-mpg city, 29-mpg highway, 24-mpg combined

Base Price: $26,895

As Tested: $33,665

Performance:

Extremely capable off-road and in snow

Very worthy of Jeep brand

Skid plates and sill rails

Capability-wise, the Renegade Deserthawk is in the same league as the popular Renegade Trailhawk.

8.7-inches ground clearance; 8.1-inches wheel articulation

19-inches water fording capability

Adequate highway performance

Some downshifting on steep hills

Our best highway mileage was 23.8-mpg (less than EPA estimate)

Smooth highway ride

Super easy to U-turn

Nimble

Comfort:

Comfortable, good long trip driver’s seat

In spilte of all its off-road ruggedness the full line of Renegades are smooth, roomy, comfortable highway cruisers, too.

Power lumbar support

Heated seats are quite hot

Heated steering wheel almost too hot

Stretch-out driver legroom

Super stretch-out front passenger legroom

Excellent headroom

Extra thick, slightly contoured steering wheel

Great auxiliary controls

Good quality interior materials

Low rear floor hump

The optional My Sky Power Retractable/Removable Panels really add an open air feeling to the Renegade.

Very good rear shoe room

Rear seat knee room tight unless front seats are moved up

Big adult can fit in middle position, but not enough shoulder room for three across

Utility:

Sturdy tow hooks front and rear

Digital and analog speedometers

Deserthawk edition has rock protection sill rails

Two seatback pouches

Renegade driving condition mode selections are many and sophisticated.

Two small storage nets in cargo area

Cargo area on the short side

Flat cargo deck with no lift-over

High clearance liftgate

Split seats have slight slope

Small front door bins with bottle notches

Small, deep console bin

WOW Factors:

Great removable roof panels for open-air cruising

The 2017 Jeep® Renegade’s front legroom is outstanding and the seats are comfortable and supportive.

Sophisticated, highly capable 4×4 components

Nimble, fun-to-drive in town and in the woods 

Whines:

Deserthawk graphics were a bit much

Heated steering wheel almost too hot

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Jeep Renegade Deserthawk 4×4 is a limited edition that’s very similar to the popular Renegade Trailhawk. Like the Trailhawk it’s highly capable and very maneuverable off-road and in foul weather. The Renegade is also a comfortable, nimble urban/suburban utility vehicle.