Jeep has been teasing its first electrified models for some time, but in 2020 the 4x4 and SUV manufacturer will put its first hybrid model on the road.
This car will be a plug-in hybrid version of the Renegade, and it’s going to be known as the ‘4xe’ – the badge aiming to demonstrate that this model will still be capable off the beaten track.
Here’s what you need to know about it…
It’s the first Jeep you can run on electricity
Yes, Jeeps might be known for their large petrol engines over in the States and their torquey diesel units that make them great for towing over in the UK, but soon you’ll be able to get a Jeep that can run on electric.
Thanks to an 11.4kWh battery, which powers the electric motor, it means that this Renegade can run for up to 30 miles just on electricity.
Choose how to use this electricity
Depending on your needs, you can also be clever in how you use the 4xe’s electricity thanks to three driving modes – Hybrid, Electric and E-Save. The ‘Hybrid’ is what most drivers will use, as that utilises a combination of both petrol and electricity. If you’re driving through a city centre and have the battery topped up, you can put it on ‘Electric’ to run around with no emissions whatsoever.
A separate ‘E-Save’ mode also allows you to hold onto that electricity for a later part of the journey – for example, if you’re doing a long journey that finishes in an urban area, the electricity could be saved to utilise around a built-up area.
It is the most powerful Renegade
The combination of petrol engine and electric motor means that the 4xe is actually the most powerful Renegade in the range, and by some margin. In total, it produces 236bhp, which means that this model can sprint from 0-60mph in just 7.3 seconds, which is much quicker than other powertrains available in this Jeep crossover.
New connectivity options
All Jeeps will feature an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen as standard, and in combination with the Uconnect smartphone app, it will mean that you can check a whole host of things about Renegade 4xe remotely. Through the app, you’ll be able to pre-heat or cool your car remotely, as well as check the vehicle status. You can also search for local public charging stations, along with monitor and control the charge of the Jeep as well.
No loss in off-road ability
One of the most important things to address with this new electrified Renegade was to ensure it wasn’t any less capable. Thankfully Jeep hasn’t disappointed, as the firm is promising that will be one of the most capable 4x4 models on the market. It’s also ‘Trail Rated’, which is Jeep’s mark of approval to demonstrate its ability off-road.
It will be the cheapest Jeep to have on company car tax
With the low CO2 emissions of plug-in hybrids making them an ideal choice for company car drivers, it will mean that this new Renegade 4xe will be the cheapest Jeep for company car tax – making it a very attractive proposition.
With CO2 emissions of between just 47 and 53g/km, it means the Renegade will have a benefit-in-kind percentage of either 12 or 16 per cent (it still needs to be confirmed), which will make it much cheaper to tax than other petrol and diesel options in the range.
