The 2018 Jeep Renegade offers a diverse lineup of configuration options across five main trim levels (Sport, Latitude, Altitude, Limited, and Trailhawk), two engine choices, two transmission types, and front-wheel or four-wheel-drive systems, allowing buyers to tailor the subcompact SUV for urban commuting or off-road exploration.
Selecting the right vehicle configuration involves balancing daily driving comfort, fuel efficiency, budget constraints, and off-road capability. Introduced as Jeep’s entry into the burgeoning subcompact crossover market, the Renegade shares its platform with the Fiat 500X while maintaining rugged styling cues and brand-specific capability metrics. As prospective buyers evaluate these vehicles on the pre-owned market, understanding how powertrains, trim levels, and option packages interact is critical to finding the right model.
Overview of the 2018 Jeep Renegade Lineup
The 2018 model year brought notable updates to the Jeep Renegade, most notably the integration of the Uconnect infotainment system across a larger touchscreen lineup and expanded active safety features. The vehicle is built on the FCA Small Wide 4x4 platform, giving it a stable stance and distinct driving dynamics compared to traditional body-on-frame SUVs.
When evaluating configuration options, buyers must look at the vehicle as a matrix of choices. A buyer's configuration journey typically starts with choosing a trim level, which dictates the baseline feature set. From there, shoppers select between two distinct powerplants and matching transmissions, determine whether front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) suits their climate and terrain, and finally layer on standalone options or packages for towing, cold-weather comfort, or advanced driver assistance.
Engine and Transmission Combinations
The 2018 Jeep Renegade relies on two distinct naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Performance characteristics vary significantly between them, making engine selection one of the most consequential configuration decisions.
| Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L Turbo MultiAir | 160 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 | 6-Speed Manual |
| 2.4L Tigershark | 180 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 175 lb-ft @ 3,900 | 9-Speed Automatic |
1.4-Liter Turbocharged Inline-4
The 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine is standard on the entry-level Sport and Latitude trims (when paired with the manual transmission). It produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Because peak torque arrives early at 2,500 RPM, this engine feels responsive in urban stop-and-go driving. It is exclusively mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, appealing to driving purists who prefer shifting their own gears, though it limits the availability of certain convenience packages.
2.4-Liter Tigershark Inline-4
The larger 2.4-liter Tigershark engine delivers 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard on Limited and Trailhawk trims and is optional on Sport and Latitude models. This powerplant is paired exclusively with a 9-speed automatic transmission. While it provides more peak horsepower for highway passing, its torque peak is higher in the rev range (3,900 RPM), and reviewers often note that the 9-speed automatic can occasionally hunt for gears during rapid throttle inputs.
Trim Level Breakdown and Feature Sets
The 2018 Renegade lineup spans five primary tiers. Each step up the ladder introduces comfort enhancements, tech upgrades, or specialized mechanical hardware.
Sport
The Sport trim serves as the entry point to the Renegade lineup. It features 16-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, power windows and locks, and a basic Uconnect 3 system with a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Air conditioning is standard, but buyers should note that many comfort features—such as cruise control, alloy wheels, and power-adjustable heated mirrors—require purchasing extra packages like the Power and Air Group.
Latitude
The Latitude trim represents the volume seller, adding a significant amount of everyday usability. It introduces body-colored door handles and side mirrors, automatic headlights, ambient LED interior lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and upgraded cloth seating. Crucially, the Latitude unlocks access to the 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, making it a much more modern daily driver than the base Sport.
Altitude
Positioned as an aesthetic package built on top of the Latitude trim, the Altitude configuration delivers a blacked-out appearance. It features 18-inch gloss black wheels, gloss black exterior badging and bezel accents, and deluxe black cloth seats with distinct metal diamond accents. Mechanically identical to a similarly equipped Latitude, the Altitude caters directly to buyers seeking a stealthy, custom visual presentation straight from the factory.
Limited
The Limited trim shifts the Renegade from a rugged runabout into a near-luxury subcompact crossover. It comes standard with the 2.4-liter engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, bright exhaust tips, roof rails, leather-trimmed heated front seats, an eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch color instrument cluster display, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with HD Radio.
Trailhawk
The Trailhawk is the undisputed flagship for off-road capability in the Renegade family. It is equipped exclusively with Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4WD system, which features a 20:1 crawl ratio and a low range. Other mechanical enhancements include a 0.8-inch suspension lift, unique front and rear fascias for improved approach and departure angles, skid plates protecting the fuel tank, transmission, and transfer case, red tow hooks, and 17-inch off-road wheels wrapped in aggressive all-terrain tires. The Selec-Terrain system gains an exclusive Rock mode alongside Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud settings.
Drivetrain Configurations: FWD vs. 4WD
Jeep offers two distinct four-wheel-drive systems for the Renegade, depending on the trim level selected. Understanding these systems is essential for matching the vehicle to regional weather and recreational needs.
Active Drive I
Available on Sport, Latitude, and Limited trims, Active Drive I is a full-time automatic four-wheel-drive system that requires no driver input. It seamlessly transitions between front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive depending on traction conditions, vehicle speed, and steering angle. It protects against unexpected slickness on rain-slicked or lightly snowy highways without penalizing fuel economy as heavily as traditional part-time systems.
Active Drive Low
Exclusive to the Trailhawk trim, Active Drive Low adds a 20:1 crawl ratio to the standard Active Drive I hardware. It works in tandem with hill descent control and specialized chassis tuning to provide genuine low-speed crawling capability over boulders, deep ruts, and steep inclines. Combined with the vehicle's independent suspension and generous ground clearance, the Trailhawk configures the Renegade to handle terrain far beyond the comfort zone of typical subcompact crossovers.
Optional Packages and Standalone Features
Beyond standard equipment and trim levels, Jeep offered numerous modular packages for the 2018 Renegade to satisfy specific buyer demands:
- My Sky Open-Air Roof System: A removable dual-panel roof system (or power-retractable version) that brings an open-air convertible feel to the cabin.
- Passive Entry / Keyless Go Package: Adds proximity entry and push-button start for effortless cabin access.
- Safety and Security Group: Introduces blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, and a security alarm.
- Advanced Technology Group: Features forward collision warning with active braking, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors.
- Trailer Tow Group: Available on 4WD models, this package adds a Class III hitch receiver and a 4-pin wiring harness, enabling a maximum towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped with the 2.4-liter engine.
Choosing the Right 2018 Jeep Renegade Configuration
Selecting the ideal configuration depends heavily on how the vehicle will be driven on a day-to-day basis.
For budget-conscious urban commuters who value fuel economy and simplicity, a Latitude model with front-wheel drive and the 1.4-liter turbo engine provides a balanced mix of modern technology and manageable running costs. Buyers living in northern climates with harsh winters should prioritize models equipped with Active Drive I four-wheel drive and the Cold Weather Group package, which adds heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Conversely, outdoor enthusiasts who plan on navigating unpaved forest service roads, deep snow, or rocky trails should bypass the lower trims entirely and focus exclusively on the Trailhawk. Its specialized suspension geometry, underbody skid protection, and low-range gearing transform the Renegade from a styling exercise into a remarkably capable trail machine.
