What Is the Smallest Jeep SUV?
If you’re looking for a pint-sized yet powerful vehicle with off-road capability, the Renegade is Jeep’s smallest option.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
At just 166.6 inches long, Jeep’s smallest vehicle, the Renegade, is the most capable off-roader in its class. This little five-seater handles weather and road conditions like a champ, but it’s not the only small SUV Jeep has to offer.
In addition to stability and cargo space, small crossovers offer good safety ratings and better fuel economy than their larger counterparts, making them the ideal daily driver for commuters and families alike. They’re also a smart choice for drivers on a budget since they’re some of the least-expensive vehicles on the market.
For drivers that want the rugged look of a Jeep, the Renegade is the smallest SUV you can get your hands on. But if you need a little more space or off-road prowess, you might want to check out some other options as well. Here with the rundown on Jeep’s compact and subcompact vehicles is
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app that helps you find the best Jeep Renegade insurance cost
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is the smallest SUV Jeep makes?
Jeep makes a few small SUVs for the 2022 model year, but the Jeep Renegade is the automaker’s smallest option. At just 166.6 inches long, 66.5 inches high, and 3,532 pounds, this bite-sized SUV stands out for its superb handling and off-road capability.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the 2022 Renegade is the off-road equipped Trailhawk trim. A starting cost of $32,540 gets you a raisedsuspension, all-terrain tires, four-wheel drive, hill descent control, and other off-road equipment. It’s no Wrangler, but it can handle itself on the backcountry roads.
If daily driving is your main concern, the Renegade is average in almost every respect. Taking 9.3 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, the 1.3-liter turbocharged engine isn’t fast, but offers enough acceleration to keep most drivers comfortable. The EPA-rated fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon is below average for the class, but not so low that it’s embarrassing. And while its 18.5 cubic feet of storage space is enough room for groceries or a few overnight bags, you won’t be able to fit much else.
On the other hand, every Renegade trim can be optioned with all-wheel drive for stellar handling in four-season climates and putting it miles ahead of FWD-only rivals such as the Hyundai Venue or Nissan Kicks. The Renegade also comes with some nice cabin amenities like an 8.4-inch touchscreen, USB charging ports, driver-assistance tech, and an optional sunroof. For car buyers interested in the standard Renegade, starting costs range from $26,290 to $32,740.
Other small Jeep SUVs
When it comes to small, budget-friendly vehicles that can handle a weekend camping trip or two, the Jeep Renegade is a great place to start. But while the Renegade is the tiniest SUV on Jeep’s 2022 lineup, there are other small Jeeps worth considering. Here’s how the 2022 Renegade compares to the Wrangler and the Compass.
Smallest: 2022 Jeep Renegade
Starting price: $26,290
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Seating capacity: Five
Optional all-wheel drive and a rugged, trail-rated trim set the Renegade apart from other small SUVs. But when it comes to daily driving, its sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy don’t impress.
Small: 2022 Jeep Wrangler
Starting price: $31,590
Wheelbase: 96.8 to 118.4 inches
Seating capacity: Four or Five
One of the most easily-recognized vehicles on the road, the
Jeep Wrangler
is known for its unmatched off-road prowess. With five different powertrain options, a four-wheel drive system with low range gearing, and high ground clearance, every Wrangler model can leave the paved roads behind, but the trail-rated Rubicon trim is best-suited for extreme outdoor adventures.Two-door Jeep Wranglers are only 0.2 inches longer than the Renegade, but because of their truck-like body style, they’re not as agile and can feel more cumbersome to drive. The Wrangler’s fuel economy ranges from 14 to 25 mpg, depending on the model, but there’s also a 49-mpg hybrid available for eco-conscious drivers.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversSmall-ish: 2022 Jeep Compass
Starting price: $28,380
Wheelbase: 103.8 inches
Seating capacity: Five
The
Jeep Compass
combines rugged styling with a larger cabin that allows adult passengers to ride comfortably. A cargo capacity of 59.8 cubic feet makes it a good pick if you need to haul luggage on family vacations, and it’s also one of Jeep’s safest vehicles, earning the title of Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.Like the Renegade, the Compass is available in an off-road capable Trailhawk trim, comes with plenty of standard driver-assistance tech, and can be optioned with all-wheel drive. It’s also available as a hybrid for drivers who want to cut down on fuel costs.
The best alternatives to Jeep’s smallest SUV
If you like the Jeep Renegade’s compact styling, but you’re not sold on its performance, specs, or features, this little SUV has some serious competition from other automakers. The Kia Soul, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Crosstrek are among the Renegade’s closest rivals.
Chipper and cheap: 2022 Kia Soul
If you like the Jeep Renegade’s boxy shape, the
Kia Soul
comes in a similarly squared-off package but adds a large grille and low ride height to give it a charmingly quirky appearance. Starting at just $20,585, the Soul is one of the cheapest SUVs on the market.The base model is lacking some cabin comforts and comes with a weaker powertrain, but the S, X-Line, or GT-Line trims get you a more-powerful turbocharged engine, a larger infotainments screen, built-in navigation, and some driver-assistance features all while still keeping costs under the $25,000 mark. However, the lack of available all-wheel drive might be a dealbreaker for some drivers.
Speedy and sporty: 2022 Mazda CX-30
Subcompact SUVs are almost always slower and less athletic than their larger counterparts, but the
Mazda CX-30
might be the lone exception. When fitted with the optional 250-horsepower turbocharged engine, the CX-30 can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds.In typical Mazda fashion, you get sports car-like styling which, combined with its potent powertrain, makes this little SUV a lot of fun. The affordable starting price of $23,725 includes standard all-wheel drive, remote start, and driving assistance features.
Rough and rugged: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek
The
Subaru Crosstrek
might be the Renegade’s closest competitor in terms of size and off-road capability. While the Crosstrek doesn’t have a trail-rated trim, its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive can easily maneuver the car over uneven terrain.The 182-horsepower turbocharged engine isn’t particularly fast, but it can go from 0 to 60 in 8.4 seconds, enough for your standard highway commute. When equipped with the automatic transmission, the Crosstrek gets an average fuel economy of 30 mpg, but for drivers who want to help the environment, opting for the hybrid powertrain improves that number to 35 mpg.
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