Jeep Renegade 1.6 Multijet II Limited 120

Given one last chance, it has come back to life and achieved some remarkable results: 18 months of consecutive growth, a jump in the number of dealers from 50 to 76 and heading for 10,000 sales a year.

A big part of that success story is down to the introduction of the Cherokee, alongside the move to make Jeep a premium product and experience.

Now there’s another very good reason to choose Jeep.

Marking a series of firsts in the company’s history, the Renegade is the American company’s first entry into the small SUV segment and also the first Jeep to be built in Europe but sold in the USA.

Those aren’t the Jeep Renegade’s only firsts. It is the first small SUV to feature a nine-speed gearbox and a sunroof that gives occupants an open-air driving experience.

It’s youthful, fresh and slightly funky – not that dissimilar to Kia’s Soul on first view – and offers a smooth drive on Tarmac along with Jeep’s considerable off-road driving prowess.

Although it’s built in Italy, the Renegade is instantly recognisable as a Jeep.

The new model claims best-in-class off-road ability, and Jeep offered two challenging environments to UK journalists at its launch.

The soft sands, rock pools and water’s edge at a North Berwick beach and a man-made course through nearby woodland brought nothing but acclaim for the Renegade’s abilities.

Inside, where best-in-class interior space is to be found, details are crafted from good quality materials and storage areas abound.

Advanced technology includes the intuitive Uconnect touchscreen for infotainment with a choice between 5 and 6.5-inch screens, while the unique-to-segment My Sky has two lightweight panels that can be easily removed and stowed in the boot for a panoramic open-air experience.

There is also an array of advanced safety features, 11 bodywork colours with six wheel designs and six powertrain combinations. There are two MultiAir II petrol engines, a pair of MultiJet II turbo diesels and the 1.6-litre eTorque petrol.

There are also five and six-speed manual gearboxes and the nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Available with two or four-wheel drive the Renegade boasts two new advanced 4x4 systems: Jeep Active Drive and Jeep Active Drive Low.

The range has four trim levels: Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk. Early Renegade customers will have the choice of a fifth model – the Opening Edition.

Although the Sport is the entry to the range, it still features a five-inch Uconnect touchscreen with a DAB radio and Bluetooth plus auxiliary and USB connectors.

It has a 3.5-inch Electronic Vehicle Information Centre, air-conditioning, electric parking brake and 16-inch aluminium wheels.

Renegade was charged with fulfilling a set of requirements. The compact proportions required to ensure manoeuvrability in tight city centres also had to allow best-in-class off-road capability.

It had to look rugged while still being functional, versatile and stylish. It also had to appeal to youthful customers.

The rear lights feature a new X design theme inspired by the ‘jerry’ cans mounted on the back of the military Willys Jeep – the legend that inspired the brand.

It’s a nice nod to its heritage from a very modern Jeep that should help cement the brand’s future in the UK.

At a glance...

Jeep Renegade 1.6 Multijet II Limited 120

Price: £22,895 (Renegade prices from £16,995)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel, producing 120bhp
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Performance: 0 to 62mph in 10.2 seconds; top speed 111mph
Economy: 61.4mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 120g/km