2017 Jeep Renegade Towing Capacity Review

2017 Jeep Renegade towing capacity, the Jeep Renegade is one of several crossovers in a burgeoning segment.

This subcompact crossover will appeal to those who have outgrown a compact car but need a vehicle that has more versatility than a sedan.

It’s also perfect for city dwellers and young professionals who like to pack light, but still, need lots of storage space.

The 2017 Jeep Renegade is available in Sport, Latitude, and Limited trims with front-wheel drive or 4WD options for most models.

All models come standard with power features and air conditioning, as well as an auxiliary input jack for your smartphone or portable music player.

2017 Jeep Renegade has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), receiving a Good rating in all crash tests, including the new passenger-side small overlap front test.

The NHTSA gave the 2017 Jeep Renegade four out of five stars overall in its safety rating system, and five out of five stars in the side-impact and roof-strength tests while only receiving three out of five stars in the rollover testing category.

Important Things to Consider About the 2017 Jeep Renegade Towing Capacity

2017 jeep renegade 2.4 towing capacity

What I like about my 2017 Jeep Renegade: towing capacity, off-road capability, and decent gas mileage.

What I don’t like about my 2017 Jeep Renegade: price, sluggish acceleration, and it was too close to other SUVs on the dealer lot (hard to see differences).

Bottom Line on my 2017 Jeep Renegade: The manufacturer says you can tow up to 1,500 pounds with a rear-mounted receiver. That’s fine for smaller boats and ATVs but far below what many full-size trucks can handle.

Luckily for me, if I’m looking for a vehicle that will pull heavier loads more comfortably than cars or crossovers, then I have plenty of options.

Trailer Towing Capacities

2017 Jeep Renegade offers a tremendous towing capacity when compared to its predecessor. The 2017 model offers a max towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, while the 2016 model offers only 1,500 pounds of maximum towing capacity.

The increased towing capability gives consumers more freedom in their driving and storage options.

When it comes time for any type of off-roading, or hauling large items or vehicles behind your vehicle it is nice that your vehicle can handle those types of situations without having issues with its handling.

If you are wondering how great your new 2017 jeep renegade might be when it comes to these things then make sure that you test drive one and see what it has in store for you next!

Read more: 2016 Jeep Renegade Towing Capacity Review

Vehicle Overview

The 2017 Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV. It features a peppy 180-horsepower engine, nimble handling, and a strong combination of ride comfort and handling, though its 3.5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA may deter some buyers.

Cargo room and passenger space are above average among its class, but that’s about it when it comes to good things to say about it.

This year will also see higher prices across all models in response to a changing market, so check out our numbers below if you plan on shopping for one before you head out to your local dealership.

Engine and Powertrain

The 2017 Jeep Renegade’s base engine is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that puts out an impressive 140 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.

On models equipped with all-wheel drive, it comes paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, on front-wheel-drive models, it comes paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Both powertrains are strong performers when equipped with either transmission.

Transmission, Transfer Case, and Differentials

Most vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission, which comes in either manual or automatic operation.

If you opt for a manual-shift transfer case, there will be two modes to choose from 2-Hi and 4-Hi. 4-Hi mode is best used while towing a trailer since it provides maximum torque to both wheels (instead of just one).

However, when using 4-Hi mode you should switch back to 2-Hi after disconnecting your trailer.

Otherwise, you may damage your transmission as well as other components such as your driveshaft and rear differential.

Read also: Jeep Gladiator Trailer Tow Package VS Max Tow Package

Fuel Economy and Performance

2017 Jeep Renegade delivers solid performance, a host of safety features, and outstanding fuel economy.

The model has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque when equipped with FWD. The AWD version produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

When mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it returns 27 mpg in both FWD and AWD configurations, impressive for such a small SUV.

Body and Suspension

2017 Jeep Renegade comes with a fairly soft suspension setup. At least in Sport and Latitude trims, it really doesn’t have enough vertical travel to be able to carry any kind of load without having to worry about bottoming out.

It can manage 2,000 pounds on an open trailer, but if you plan on carrying any sort of load or equipment on your new vehicle.

We suggest you stick with higher-trim models equipped with more suspension travel and heavier-duty shock absorbers.

The 2017 model also comes standard with 16-inch wheels that are susceptible to dents and dings when hauling heavy loads.

Brakes and Stopping

The 2017 Jeep Renegade stops well for a small crossover. Its 174-foot braking distance from 60 mph is on par with other vehicles in its class, and its 19-foot jump from 60 to 0 is also typical.

That said, when it comes to handling sharp bends and twisty roads, larger crossovers like Dodge’s Journey and Toyota RAV4 prove more capable.

The same goes for towing, the 2017 Renegade has a max tow rating of 1,500 pounds; that’s good but not as high as some competitors, such as Honda CR-V (1,500) or Chevy Equinox (2,000).

Chassis and Dimensions

2017 Jeep Renegade’s chassis and dimensions are much different than its compact car brethren. The wheelbase is longer, at 102.4 inches (only 0.1 inches shorter than a Ford Edge or Toyota RAV4), while the overall length is 172.8 inches (0.9 inches shorter than a Honda CR-V).

The 2017 Jeep Renegade is also taller and wider than most compacts; its 62.2-inch height and 70-inch width set it apart from competitors like the Mazda CX-3, Mini Countryman, Chevrolet Trax, and Nissan Juke, as does its 4×4 system with low range gearing, though that’s not unusual for an SUV or crossover, in general, these days.

Interior Dimensions and Capacities

The 2017 Jeep Renegade is an exceptionally sprightly little vehicle, but how does it stack up in terms of interior dimensions and capacities?

With a front headroom of 39.3 inches and a cabin height of 60.7 inches, it’s more accommodating than most other small SUVs.

Cargo capacity with all seats in place comes to 30 cubic feet, which is similar to that of many popular sedans, folding down those rear seat increases that number to 73 cubic feet, almost double what you get with a Hyundai Elantra sedan or Toyota Corolla hatchback.

You’ll even find plenty of room behind those upright rear seats: if you stow them flat, there are 48 cubic feet at your disposal.

Safety Features and Ratings

2017 Jeep Renegade towing capacity is a major consideration for any new car. While many vehicles can handle towing in certain situations, it isn’t always recommended.

The Jeep Renegade is capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds with its optional Class II trailer hitch. It has not been rated for Class III or IV trailers and should not be used for recreational towing due to vehicle size limitations and weight distribution limits.

Always consult your owner’s manual before attempting to tow anything on public roads or with an enclosed trailer.

Conclusion

Weighing in at 3,487 pounds, 2017 jeep renegade towing capacity… This means that you’ll have a hard time hauling all of your gear down to your campsite.

That’s where our other complaint comes into play. While you can get around with its 7-to-10 mpg average fuel economy, there are plenty of SUVs and trucks out there that will cost you less than half as much on gas, and they’ll still tow.

The new 2017 jeep renegade towing capacity review… You’ll want something a little bigger if you need to haul lots of stuff down and back up again, too.