Jeep Renegade vs Honda HR-V Comparison

Which subcompact cross over SUV is better - the Jeep Renegade for sale or the new Honda HR-V? To find out we decided to compare and contrast both vehicles. What we found may surprise you. How come? During discovery, we were able to uncover some little-known facts about both vehicles. Facts that can help you make the right decision when its buy time.  

There's no denying that the new Jeep Renegade looks like a Jeep. it hearkens back to the look of the classic Jeep that many have come to love. While the new Renegade features some chic contemporary upgrades to the front fascia, the boxy shape of the vehicle retains that old Jeep vibe. And for that reason, Jeep fans will likely find themselves appreciating this throwback style with an updated twist.

What about the Honda HR-V? It has a sporty look and a surprising amount of space in the cabin. The leg room up front is just adequate, but there is an astounding amount of hip, leg, shoulder, and head room for passengers in the rear seat. Even taller adults will not have any trouble fitting into the rear. 

One thing people seem to like about the new Renegade is its off-road capabilities. Renegade's Trailhawk transmission is powered by a standard 2.4-L engine that delivers 180-horsepower and has four-wheel capabilities. The Select Train Traction Management System easily allows drivers to switch between road condition settings (auto, snow, mud, and sand), and there is a rock setting that comes in handy while off-roading on rockier surfaces.

The same can't be said about the Honda HR-V. It's simply not meant for heavy duty off-roading. It's base trim level (the LX) does not have all wheel drive (it's available as an option and comes standard with the Touring, though). It's fine for driving on paved surfaces but the comfortable ride is made a little less comfortable by the noisy engine.

Getting it up to higher RPMs or to full-throttle will make the engine leak a ton of noise into the cabin. Engine vibration is even noticeable while idling, and the tires do add some extra commotion while driving.

Both vehicles have a good amount of cargo space for this segment. The HR-V manages to get the impressive 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. When you fold the rear seat down (and it does fold all the way down), you can maximize the cargo space to 58.8 feet. The Renegade gets 18.5 and 50.8 cubic feet respectively. So, clearly when it comes to cargo space, the new HR-V has a slight edge.

One thing that's not obvious given the size of the Renegade is the fact that it's easy to get in and out. Those struggling with mobility issues or who have trouble ducking in and out of low-sitting sedans will appreciate the fact that the Jeep Renegade sits at a not-too-high and not-too-low distance from the ground. In addition, the rear doors are shaped in such a way that they leave enough room for getting your head in without hitting it on the upper part of door frame. The doors swing wide for easy access, reaching out at about a 90-degree angle.

Honda engineers went out of their way to ensure passengers won't get bored on long hauls - the new Honda HR-V comes with a good number of infotainment features like the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The display is easy to navigate and switch between apps. The intuitive audio system makes accessing and playing music easy.

But the Renegade has a lot to offer in that department, too. It's Uconnect system is user-friendly; graphics on the touch screen are clear and easy to read; browsing through menu options is simple for even non-tech savvy drivers. And last but not least, all of the physical knobs and buttons that can be found up front on the center console are well within the driver's reach, are clearly labeled, and take little effort to get used to. It also comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as well.

When it comes to safety features both subcompact SUVs don't disappoint. Making the Honda Sensing suite standard on all trims and across all models is a brilliant move by Honda. This bundle of advanced driver aids makes the cost of the vehicle even more worthwhile by giving you lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. In other words, these are all the safety features a driver could ask for rolled into an affordable price tag.

The Jeep Renegade hosts multiple standard safety features that were previously optional or only available on higher trim levels. For this model year, both Intelligent Speed Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Sense Departure Warning Plus come standard across the line-up. This comes in addition to other optional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, full-speed forward collision warning with active braking, and the ParkSense Rear Parking Assist System. 

So which one is the better vehicle - Jeep Renegade or Honda HR-V?