945
It’s hard to believe this bubbly, cartoonish off-roader shares heritage with the legendary Willy’s Jeep that absorbed Nazi gunfire in WWII. Is the cutesy Renegade worthy of the badge?
Buyers should opt for a manual to avoid the woes of Chrysler’s wonky automatics. Drivers slick with a six-speed will enjoy ample cargo room and decent off-road behavior, though forward visibility suffers from A-pillars the size of Stallone’s thighs.
Overall though, the Renegade successfully carries Jeep into the <$20k market. Though the Mazda3 dominates the space, the Renegade will carry your couch and play in the mud.
– Chris Butsch, @CarTalkChris
