Jeep axes Renegade pricing

When Jeep launched its first compact SUV in October many industry pundits baulked at the Renegade's relatively high $29,500-$41,500 price range (plus on-road costs).

The arrival in December of its sister model, the Fiat 500X, with a $28,000 starting price reinforced that view, especially when popular baby SUV rivals like the Mazda CX-3 start at $19,990.

Now, little more than two months after its local release, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia has announced price cuts of up to $2500 for the Renegade, bringing it in line with the 500X but leaving it considerably pricier than other pint-size crossovers.

The Renegade can now be had from $28,000 plus ORCs for the entry-level Sport manual, and the same $1500 saving applies to the automatic version, which now costs $31,000 plus ORCs.

To further sweeten the deal, FCAA has also introduced $1000 drive-away prices for the range-opening Sport models, at $29,000 (manual) and $32,000 (auto), no more to pay.

Up-spec Longitude (now $33,000 plus ORCs) and top-shelf Trailhawk (now $40,000 plus ORCs) models are also $1500 cheaper than before, while the biggest price cut ($2500) is reserved for the Renegade Limited, which now costs $36,000 plus ORCs.

To avoid a backlash from recent Renegade buyers to the price reductions, which motoring.com.au understands is due to factory sourcing issues, Jeep is offering existing owners cash-back cards valued at between $1500 and $2500 -- equal to the price cuts on their model.

There are no mechanical changes to the four-variant, three-powertrain line-up, meaning the base Sport continues with a 81kW/152Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder 'Etorq' petrol engine and five-speed manual transmission, while the automatic Sport retains its 1.4-litre turbo-petrol 'MultiAir' four with six-speed dry-plate dual-clutch (DDTC) auto.

Renegade Longitude and Limited variants also come with the latter powertrain, while the 4WD Trailhawk flagship (all other Renegades in Australia are front-drive) still comes with a 129kW/230Nm 2.4-litre 'Tigershark' four-cylinder with class-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission.

Similarly, standard specifications remain unchanged, meaning a 5.0-inch Uconnect touch-screen display with voice command and Bluetooth, plus seven airbags, reversing camera, cruise control, electric park brake and 16-inch alloys at base level.

Longitude models add blind-spot monitoring, leather steering wheel cladding, dual-zone air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloys and fog lights.

Limited versions add a 6.5-inch touch-screen, navigation, bi-xenon headlights, a 7.0-inch colour TFT instrument cluster display, nine-speaker BeatsAudio system, heated front seats and steering wheel, 18-inch alloys, leather trim, privacy glass and chromed exterior elements.

The Limited is also the only variant offered with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) -- a $500 option.

Apart from Jeep Selec-terrain 4WD with Active Drive Low (range ratio), raised ride height, hill descent control and four underbody skid plates, the Trailhawk adds a full-size spare, 17-inch off-road alloys, Trailhawk leather upholstery, and improved approach and departure angles thanks to redesigned bumpers and a rear red tow hook.

2016 Jeep Renegade pricing:
Sport 1.6 manual — $29,000 (drive-away)
Sport 1.4T auto — $32,000 (drive-away)
Longitude 1.4T auto — $33,000 (plus ORCs)
Limited 1.4T auto — $36,000 (plus ORCs)
Trailhawk 2.4 auto — $40,000 (plus ORCs)