2016 Jeep Renegade V. 2016 Honda HR-V
In the ever-growing demands of today’s SUV consumers, there rises a new list. As kids grow into adults and generations progress, the needs and wants also change. This new generation has prompted the automotive industry to create an entirely new segment of SUVs: the subcompact SUV.
While Jeep remains one of the originators of the SUV, you may have noticed while searching for Jeeps for sale that they, too, have a contender in the subcompact SUV segment: the Renegade. While it’s 7-slotted grille, round headlights, and boxy shape are irrefutably “Jeep”, it’s certainly unique in its own right.
Jeep doesn’t stand alone in this now competitive segment. Plenty of manufacturers are trying their hand in subcompact segments. Most recently, Honda has released their HR-V. While Honda comes highly rated in safety, pricing and value, they don’t have the same reputation for providing the quality SUV that Jeep does.
So, who would be the better choice in a subcompact SUV showdown? The Renegade, whose Jeep namesake is recognized for their trail-rated compatibility and quality craftsmanship or the H-RV, whose Honda namesake is equated with value and family-friendly budget.
Let’s take a look at both and figure out which should be the victor! …or at least, the right choice for your lifestyle.
A Brief Description
The Jeep Renegade is not only one-year-old, it’s also the newest member of the Jeep family. In this year that it’s been around it has already won numerous awards and received a number of accolades, like KBB’s 10 Favorite New Cars list, 10 Best SUV’s under $25K, AAA Top Pick for Cool Car Segment and Autoweek’s Editors Choice Award for Most Fun and the list goes on…One thing is clear: the Renegade has managed to impress a lot of fans in its first year on the market.
The Honda H-RV is also brand new to the Honda family and subcompact segment. While it’s platform is based off the existing subcompact car, Honda Fit, it’s class-winning cargo space and sleek style, which is a nice departure from Honda’s lackluster design, is what keeps competition for the H-RV fierce.
Power
When SUVs first arrived onto the scene and basically took over the automotive industry, consumers wanted the biggest and best. All of the sudden, Ford Explorers, Expeditions and Escalades couldn’t be big enough. Fifteen years later and consumers are demanding their SUVs be so small they fit on the platform of a subcompact car.
Even with the demands of subcompact SUVs, consumers are not willing to compromise power, and why should they? With all the innovative designs engineers have created in the last decade, there’s no reason to compromise.
Taking advantage of advancing technology, the Renegade is powered by one of two MultiAir engines offered. The first is a 160 horsepower 1.4L four-cylinder that is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the other offers more power, 180 hp, from a 2.4L Tigershark I4 engine that is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This MultiAir engine works to enhance performance, maximize fuel consumption, and be mindful of its ecological impact by utilizing electrohydraulic valves which directly control air intake. The more powerful Tigershark burns clean and efficiently and helps to reduce carbon emissions. Both engines provide 31 mpg highway driving.
Unlike the Renegade, the HR-V shares its engine with the ever popular Honda Civic, a 1.8L inline 4 cylinder. At its peak, this engine produces 141 horsepower, which is less than the Renegade. However, what is has on the Jeep, and what most Honda’s have over Jeeps is fuel economy. When equipped with CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission, the HR-V produces 28 city mpg and 35 highway mpg. Even in Front Wheel Drive using a manual transmission, the HR-V still delivers better fuel economy than the Renegade at 32 mpg highway. What it lacks in power, it makes up for in economy.
Versatility
Let’s face it, if you’re looking for a subcompact SUV, you’re a person who really values versatility. Demanding the drive quality, height and cargo space of an SUV while needing the fuel efficiency and size of a compact car; there were those who probably once told you this was a crazy idea. Who’s crazy now?
The HR-V provides 58.8 cubic ft of cargo space. When both the front and rear passenger seats are folded down, 8 feet of space is revealed. Should you need extra height, fold rear seats flat to expose 4 feet of vertical space. With this extra room, your weekends antiquing for that perfect piece of furniture or trip to the lake in your kayak can easily fit into your lifestyle with the HR-V.
It’s hard to compare versatility when there is a Jeep on the line. Jeep’s very existence was made to be a versatile on and off the battlefields, it’s in their blood and runs deep in their history.
The Renegade offers best-in-class interior volume with a choice of seat configurations that works best for your lifestyle. Offering 60/40 rear seats or 40/20/40, both fold down to reveal more cargo room. Like the HR-V, more vertical is offered with the height adjustable rear cargo floor. With options available to raise, lower or keep it normal floor height, you adjust to the height that fits you.
Favorite Feature
Easily the favorite feature of the Renegade is the MySKy open-air dual-panel roof. For the very same reasons we love the Wrangler in the summertime and convertibles in sunny weather, there is nothing like the feeling of fresh warm air circling over our heads and through our hair. he Renegade offers this feeling available in two options: retract the sunroof for some extra sunshine, or remove them entirely and you have open air that flows through the Renegade like a mini-Wrangler.
While Honda hasn’t been known to offer that “wow” factor in most of their vehicles, they’re changing things up with the HR-V. They have loaded this gem with soft materials, sleek designs and updated technology to lure the driver back into their car and really take that adventure. Smartphone compatibility allows you to swipe through podcasts and music using Bluetooth connectivity. The 7-inch screen displays the infotainment, HondaLink on the two upper trims. Leather heated seats are also available for extra comfort.
Price
The Renegade starts just under $17K and can top out in the top trim Limited 4WD at $26,995. This offers quite a range in trims and available features to customize your own Renegade, which is another reason buying a Jeep is so tremendously fun and pricey.
For almost exactly the same price tag, the HR-V starts a little bit higher at $19,115 but caps lower than the Renegade at $25,840.
Results
Though there are a lot of differences between the two, it’s easy to see how they both share great qualities and offer excellent value. Both offer versatile cargo and passenger room for all your guests and lifestyle requirements. Both offer excellent fuel economy, however, there differences are quite noticeable and will be your deciding factor.
Do you tend to be more conservative with your vehicles or do you like to have a bit more fun? If you tend to gravitate toward a more conservative vehicle and shy away from possibly gnarly situations, perhaps the Honda is a better fit for you.
The Renegade, as it’s name suggests, is a better option for one who is going to use it for its potential. As a Jeep it comes with Trail-Rated Capabilities, which you do pay for and may as well use. What’s the use of owning a Jeep if you’re not going to take it out and get it dirty?
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