New 2020 Jeep Renegade 4xe plugs in with up to 134mpg

Jeep has revealed the production-ready version of the Renegade 4xe, its first plug-in hybrid model in the UK. 

Three versions have been confirmed, and the range will kick off with the £32,600 4xe Longitude. Limited trim comes in at £34,500, while the off-road-focused 4xe Trailhawk, which features additional chassis upgrades and more power, is priced from £36,500.

The Jeep Renegade 4xe has a 128bhp 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine (the Trailhawk has 178bhp) plus an 11.4kWh battery pack and 59bhp electric motor. This drives the rear axle for four-wheel drive, and the Renegade keeps its various off-road driving modes, too. The car has a zero-emissions range of 26 miles and an all-electric top speed of 81mph.

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Total combined power for the Limited and Longitude models stands at 187bhp, with the Trailhawk taking things up to 237bhp. The petrol engine sends its power to the front axle through a six-speed automatic gearbox. 

Jeep claims CO2 emissions below 50g/km and fuel economy of up to 134mpg in hybrid mode, and says the battery can be recharged in less than two hours from a 7.4kW wallbox.

Jeep has also revealed the production ready version of the Compass 4xe, using the same powertrain. However, a reveal for right-hand-drive markets like the UK has not taken place yet. 

Alongside hybrid and full-electric driving modes, the Renegade 4xe features a battery saving mode too. The rear motor allows for independent torque split over the rear axle, and the plug-in hybrid Trailhawk model features 50 per cent more torque than the 168bhp diesel model. The driver can choose new Hybrid 4x4 drive modes (snow, sand, rock, mud), and a Sport mode appears for the first time in the Renegade.

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To protect the drivetrain from rocks and exposed tree-roots when driving off-road, the Renegade PHEV is fitted with a range of steel underbody protection panels – all of which is made from recycled materials. Also, extensive waterproofing for the battery, engine, electric motor and EV controller, gives the range-topping Renegade Trailhawk a maximum wading depth of 500mm.

Like most plug-in hybrid vehicles, both the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe Jeeps are fitted with an energy recovery system, which features two levels of regeneration. 

While specifications for the upcoming Compass 4xe have not been outlined, UK buyers of the Renegade 4xe can choose from 18 exterior colours and four wheel designs. Standard equipment includes an 8.4-inch central touchscreen display with smartphone remote control compatibility, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Full LED headlights are fitted, as is a speed limiter function, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. 

What are your thoughts on Jeep’s new PHEV models? Let us know in the comments section below...