1.6 Multijet II 120hp Limited 5dr SUV

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it...

I wanted a small-ish crossover/SUV, so I looked at the Vitara (a bit soulless), the Qashqai (very soulless), the Mazda CX-3 (too expensive) and the C4 Cactus (too wacky) – and settled on the Jeep Renegade. I then found a fantastic 2-year lease deal on the Renegade and decided that it was fate.

Yes, it’s made in Italy, and the quality could be better. The Sat Nav has given up the ghost mid-journey twice and the fuel cap cover no longer fits flush. But after 8,000 miles it’s bearing up well, with no rattles, squeaks or other glitches (apart from the Sat Nav).

It’s loaded with kit – full touchscreen nav and entertainment system, parking sensors, lane departure sensors, auto braking, tinted windows, chrome roof bars, leather, heated seats, heated steering wheel etc etc. Strangely, auto lights and electric folding mirrors are missing – odd for a car with a heated steering wheel as standard, I think. There’s also a distinct lack of cubbies and places to put things.

For me, it handles well. It’s not too cumbersome yet has road presence. It’s actually quite fun to throw around country lanes, and the 1.6 diesel provides more than enough power for me. Plus, it’s super economical and cheap to insure.
It’s also very refined, with little wind and engine noise – although the standard big alloys mean the ride is harsher than lower spec models (but they do look great…).

It may not be the best car out there and it’s certainly not for everyone (my Dad described it as “hideous”) – but I like it. I wanted an affordable crossover/SUV with chunky looks, character and lots of kit. The Renegade fulfils that brief – plus the deal I got on it means I’ve got a top-spec SUV for the same monthly cost as a small family hatch.

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