2025 Jeep Renegade North Star Review: A Spacious but Aging SUV

As the automotive world continues to evolve, the 2025 Jeep Renegade North Star stands out with its spaciousness and a robust set of features. However, despite these benefits, this small SUV has started to show its age. In a market that’s rapidly advancing with new and innovative vehicles, can the Renegade still keep pace?

An Overview of the Jeep Renegade North Star

The Jeep Renegade debuted over a decade ago as the company’s smallest SUV, designed to attract urban drivers as well as adventurous off-roaders. The North Star edition highlights this model’s milestone of one million units sold across Europe. However, many reviews indicate that the Renegade struggles to keep up with its contemporary rivals regarding performance, technology, and overall driving experience.

Exterior Design: Aesthetic Considerations

The Renegade North Star features a striking design characterized by its Technogreen metallic paint and glossy black 17-inch alloy wheels. While the styling may appeal to some, the wheel size feels modest and modern vehicles trend towards larger, more appealing wheel designs. The addition of a glare-reducing matte-black bonnet decal and subtle Polaris constellation-themed badging adds a unique flair, establishing a rugged visual identity that the Renegade is known for.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Inside, the Renegade North Star boasts a spacious cabin, thanks to its boxy layout that facilitates ample headroom, even with the panoramic roof option. The upholstery is a durable cloth that features attractive contrast stitching. Additionally, bright privacy glass adds to the sense of openness. However, some elements, such as the use of hard plastics in the cabin, may leave a sense of disappointment, especially in 2025. While physical controls are favored over a touchscreen interface—a plus for some—it can make the cabin feel outdated compared to newer models.

The infotainment system does support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the native interface if desired, a functionality many drivers appreciate.

Performance and Driving Experience

Under the hood, the Jeep Renegade North Star is equipped with either a 1.5 Hybrid or a 1.3 PHEV 4xe powertrain. During our test drive of the 1.3 PHEV version, with an admirable 237bhp, we noted that it did not achieve the refined driving experience that is expected from newer hybrids. The responsiveness lacks cohesiveness, often causing frustrating transitions between electric and gasoline power. With a small 11.4kWh battery, the estimated electric-only range of 30 miles is somewhat limiting, typically requiring the petrol engine to engage frequently, which can contribute to a coarse ride experience, especially during acceleration. The insights gained suggested a more seamless experience with competitor powertrains, highlighting how the Renegade’s older technology lacks efficiency.

Fuel Economy and Comparison to Rivals

Officially, the Renegade claims to achieve 134.5mpg, but in reality, this number is highly contingent upon maintaining a charged battery. Other models in a comparable price range, like the Hyundai Kona PHEV, demonstrate fuel economies in the 200-300mpg spectrum that significantly overshadow the Renegade's efficiency capabilities.

Space and Practicality

Despite the drawbacks in performance and technology, a distinct advantage for the Renegade remains its interior space. Rear seats are reasonably comfortable, with deep bases providing more support than competitors. The cargo area offers ample storage, with 330 litres for the 4xe model and slightly more for the hybrid variant. Its cube-shaped cargo hold makes loading simple and user-friendly, maintaining Jeep's commitment to practicality in its design.

Off-Road Capability

One area where the Renegade truly shines compared to similarly-priced competitors is off-road capability. When equipped with four-wheel drive, the Renegade can navigate challenging terrains, providing Jeep enthusiasts with the rugged performance they expect. This off-road prowess serves as a strong selling point, allowing the Renegade to stand out in a crowded segment.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while the 2025 Jeep Renegade North Star delivers on space and comfort, it ultimately feels overshadowed by its more modern rivals. The dated design, unsophisticated powertrain, and below-average fuel economy significantly detract from its appeal. Jeep enthusiasts will appreciate its off-road capabilities, but potential buyers might find better options within the compact SUV segment. It might be time for Jeep to rethink the Renegade model or enhance its performance and technology suite to remain competitive.

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Specifications

• Model: Jeep Renegade 1.3 Turbo PHEV North Star
• Price: £38,610
• Powertrain: 1.3-litre 4-cyl plug-in hybrid with 1 electric motor
• Power/Torque: 237bhp/270Nm
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic with four-wheel drive
• 0-62mph/Top Speed: 7.1 seconds/124mph
• Economy/CO2: 134.5mpg/48g/km
• Size (L/W/H): 4,236/1,805/1,692mm
• On Sale: Now

Conclusion

For those in the market for a small, spacious SUV with off-road capabilities, the Renegade North Star still offers a unique proposition. However, prospective buyers should weigh its attributes against newer alternatives to ensure they choose a vehicle that meets their expectations and drives into the future.