Jeep Renegade Willys: is the cheapest 4×4 in Brazil still worth it?

The top-of-the-line version of the compact SUV is also the only car in its segment with all-wheel drive and is good value for money despite its age

He faces light adventures (Photos: Jeep | Disclosure)
By Eduardo Rodrigues
Published on 2025-12-31 at 07:00 PM

The Jeep Renegade completed 10 years of production in Brazil in March 2025. To celebrate this, the brand created the 10 Years package for the top-of-the-line Willys version. AutoPapo tested this model to find out if the cheapest 4×4 in the country is still worth it.

During this decade, a lot has happened in the compact SUV segment. The Renegade, along with the Honda HR-V, revolutionized this vein in 2015 and today almost all brands have an offer in it.

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Even with all this competition, the Renegade did not change generations. It was greatly updated, the 1.3 turbo flex engine replaced the old 1.8 aspirated and the 2.0 diesel, the design was updated and the equipment package was increased.

What has not changed is the all-wheel drive offer, which is currently only offered in the Willys model. This is exclusive to Jeep in the compact SUV segment and gives more capacity to those who will use the model for adventures.

The Jeep Renegade Willys starts at R$ 185.790, the 10 Years package adds another R$ 3 thousand to the final value. It adds stickers on the hood and C-pillar, a plaque with the unit number, exclusive upholstery on the seats and a kit consisting of a personalized t-shirt and backpack.

Stellantis took advantage of the amortization of the investments made to produce the Renegade to offer aggressive prices. Top-of-the-line versions of rivals exceed R$ 200 thousand. Cost/benefit has become one of the main selling points of the model.

Mechanical Weight

Stellantis’ 1.3 turbo flex engine was recalibrated in early 2025. The power dropped by 9 hp, now it is 176 hp with both fuels. Torque was kept at 27,5 kgfm, but now appears at 2.000 rpm, previously it was at 1.750 rpm.

The Renegade is the only car to combine this engine with all-wheel drive and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The first gear has a super reduced ratio and only enters if the “Low” button has been activated.

All-wheel drive is on demand, that is, the car works all the time sending power only to the front axle. The rear axle is only engaged if the system detects that the front wheels are losing traction.

The driver can lock the distribution by 50% for each axle with the “Lock” button. The Renegade Willys also has the terrain selector, which adjusts the parameters to the situation.

As it does not have a lock on the differentials, this is simulated by the brakes, it is not suitable for heavy trails. But with the muddy tires of the Willys version, the Renegade does well when it rains and the road to the site turns to mud or when you are going to a more secluded beach.

The biggest Achilles heel of the Jeep Renegade is its high weight. Due to all-wheel drive, this version weighs 1,643 kg. This is the result of the old project and common to all cars on this platform.

The 1.3 turbo engine together with the 9-speed gearbox disguise this weight with quick responses, but inertia is felt in each start and the performance numbers are similar to those of some rivals with a 1.0 turbo engine. The Renegade Willys accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds.

The weight is felt in the corners, the car doesn’t point as well as its lighter rivals. But overall, the suspension has a comfortable calibration without leaving safety aside, the Renegade doesn’t scare or be soft like some Chinese.

The combination of all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires and high weight is charged when refueling. The consumption of the Renegade is high, especially on the road. Check out the averages:

Fuel City Road
Ethanol 6.3 km/l 7.4 km/l
Gasoline 9.2 km/l 10.1 km/l

Life aboard the Jeep Renegade Willys

Jeep only offers options on the entry-level version of the Renegade, the Sport. The rest of the range has already been complete since the repositioning made in 2024. With this, the Willys model now has a sunroof, blind spot monitor, connected services, autonomous emergency braking, license plate reader and lane keeping assistant as standard.

It also features leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, twilight sensor, rain sensor, electronic parking brake, two-zone air conditioning, digital panel, face-to-face key, full-LED headlights, induction charger and cruise control as standard.

The equipment package owes some items that exist in the competition, such as adaptive cruise control, sound system with more than 6 speakers, electric adjustment in the driver’s seat and ventilation outlets in the rear seat.

The interior space of the Jeep Renegade is good for those in the front and for two passengers in the rear. The cabin is narrow, another limitation of this platform, so the fifth passenger is cramped. This also hinders the center console, which doesn’t have much space for objects and the induction charger is in front of the gearbox in a tight position.

The panel is well finished and has a rubberized coating. This material was used in the doors, but was replaced by hard plastic in the face-lift promoted in 2022. At least the four doors continue with the generous portion in fabric, something that is disappearing in new cars.

Those who are inside the Jeep Renegade feel well insulated from the outside world, the car is silent and this is only broken on the highways with the sound of the wind hitting the mirrors. The doors are weighed and close with a muffled sound, a sign that the seal is good.

For those looking for the SUV as a family car, it is necessary to think twice. The Renegade Willys has a trunk of only 314 liters, smaller than many hatchbacks. Part of the blame for this comes from the spare tire with an alloy wheel, in the other versions a thinner tire is used that allows the floor to be lower.

Is it still worth having a Jeep Renegade?

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Being a veteran, he can be found with many discounts in stores

Being on the market for 10 years has allowed the Jeep Renegade to be sold at aggressive prices. It is already attractive in the price list, even though it owes some equipment, but in stores it is always discounted.

On the Jeep offers website it is possible to find the Renegade Willys for R$ 168.139, R$ 17.650 below the table. In the yards it may be possible to negotiate more discounts, especially after the turn of the year.

Even with so many discounts, it is necessary to put the other expenses on the tip of the pencil. The biggest will be with fuel, since the Renegade is a hard-drinker. There is also the IPVA, some rivals are hybrids and are exempt in some states.

If you’re the type who likes to go for a walk on weekends behind a waterfall or has a farm, the Renegade ends up being the only option under R$ 200 thousand with all-wheel drive. In this he is still unbeatable.

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