We here at Vospers we love it when a brand releases a new model. When we heard the Jeep Renegade had been described by Auto Express as “the most capable all-terrain vehicle in the compact class” and “almost unstoppable off road” the new Jeep Renegade from Vospers turned heads at every corner. We had to find out if it lived up to this enviable reputation. We invited our good friend and off road specialist Nick Agg-Manning down to the Jeep showroom at Honiton Road, Exeter to take it out for a test drive! Here’s what he had to say…
“Spacious with high head room; different; chunky; maverick; distinctive” were the first words that sprang to my mind on collecting the new Jeep Renegade 2litre diesel automatic from Vospers at Honiton Road Exeter recently. Once driving, I quickly added: “Responsive; gutsy; instinctive; Fun; energetic”.
Since 1941 Jeep have spent a long time perfecting vehicles to do a job and, here, they have succeeded with aplomb as this wonderfully crafted car will bring your dreams to reality in a vehicle that is truly fit for purpose.
I enjoyed driving the Jeep for two days and spent some concentrated time on Motorways, Devon lanes and off piste using the attributes of this SUV to their full degree.
The M5 on the day I chose was dry and well trafficked and as I headed north with the 9 speaker audio system working to perfection, I set the Sat Nav system on the Uconnect screen to Taunton and noticed that I was paired on my phone with Bluetooth at the same time. Indeed, Uconnect would have allowed me to have played music stored on my mobile, but I settled for Classicfm.
The ‘Driver assist’ screen gave me Lane Departure Warning although I was as alert as a Wildebeest crossing a River during migration and did not need it! The rugged shape that I had encountered on collecting the vehicle had no bearing on the smoothness of my drive, as I raced up to 70mph, set cruise control and watched the average fuel consumption rise to 36.5! It was a joy to drive, responsibly slipping out of cruise control when I wanted more umph which she gave me with alacrity. Well, thought I, if she is this good on road, how about off road!
The Jeep Renegade is not a vehicle you would buy to just use as a truck – far too refined in her systems and her abilities with around 60 safety features – but this really is a vehicle to have if you do need to drive down tracks; on grass and be prepared for a snow and ice covered Winter. The only limitation I encountered when putting her through some serious 4×4 tests was the ground clearance; adequate but not brilliant but enough to cope with the aforementioned problems that you might encounter. If you are intending to go wild and spend much of your time off road – then the Trailhawk variant offers a better clearance.
The Active Drive Low gave me a full plethora of opportunities on the test track I used – Low Range; Selec-Terrain offering my a choice of set ups for snow, sand and mud and with the opportunity of locking the 4 wheel drive system and descending ridiculously steep inclines with the safety of Hill-descent control restricting my speed via the transmission and thus, maintaining excellent contact and grip for the 18” aluminium wheels with the relevant terrain.
If you are in need of a vehicle that can match your expectations of comfy transit around town but that can also take you to the fun places you have always wanted to go to, then I can do no more than fully recommend and endorse this All new Jeep Renegade as the perfect, all round car for you – sublime on road and gutsy off road.
Thanks Nick! It certainly sounds like you enjoyed driving the car! To find out more about the Renegade, please visit: http://www.vospers.com/new-cars/jeep/renegade/ or like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VospersJeep/?fref=ts. In addition the Jeep range is available at our Honiton Road Showroom in Exeter, Marsh Mills Showroom in Plymouth and Treliske Showroom in Truro. To view the range or book a test drive, please call 01392 203800 (Exeter), 01752 636363 (Plymouth) or 01872 226222 (Truro)
