Honda HR-V VTi 2015 review
Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the Honda HR-V VTi with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
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Jeep's Renegade might be late to the mini-SUV party but it comes with a pretty impressive back catalogue to suggest that this is a SUV that can cash the cheques its name can write.
The top of the range Trailhawk can write even bigger cheques than the lower models, bringing with it a range of off-road tech toys to let you really get down and dirty.
Jeep Renegade 2016: Trailhawk | |
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Safety rating | |
Engine Type | 2.4L |
Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
Fuel Efficiency | 7.5L/100km |
Seating | 5 seats |
Price from | $19,250 |
In what is absolutely not a coincidence, the Renegade immediately conjures up the Wrangler. Upright grille from the Willys Jeep (references abound here), round headlights, squared off wheel arches to mimic the Wrangler's guards, short overhangs and big rear view mirrors.
The 17-inch wheels look completely lost in the wheelarches which are even more cavernous owing to the Trailhawk's 50mm of extra ride height. The wheels are also a bit cheap looking but will probably survive the belting the car is intended to take.
Less rugged is the interior, despite a fairly self-conscious effort to make it look and feel chunky. The front seats are flat and unsupportive with the rears just as lacklustre making sure everyone is sliding around together. Luckily, front passengers get a dash-mounted grab handle.
It seems quite well put together, however, but with carpets and easily-marked plastics, you'll hope your passengers don't bring the mud in with them too often. And the "Since 1941" stamped into the steering wheel can go.
The dashboard is reasonably clear and has plenty of information to share via the screen between the dials but whoever thought marking the redline with a water splash graphic in bright orange should probably rethink their design decisions.
Storage is limited to two cupholders up front, door pockets in each door and nets on the front seat backs.
The Trailhawk is powered by Fiat's 2.4-litre four naturally-aspirated four-cylinder producing 129 kW and 230 Nm. Jeep reckons you'll get 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle. Our mostly city driving with a longish motorway run produced an 11.0L/100km average over a week.
The transmission is a nine-speed ZF automatic driving all four wheels.
The Trailhawk also has Jeep's five mode Selec-Terrain system which should cover pretty much every eventuality – Auto, Sport, Mud, Sand and, just for the Trailhawk, Rock. The Trailhawk is rated to tow 400kg unbraked and 907kg braked.
Seven airbags (including driver's knee bag), traction and stability controls, roll mitigation, blind spot monitoring, ABS and brake assist.
The Renegade does not yet have an ANCAP star rating although it scored five EuroNCAP stars in 2014.
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km warranty
ANCAP Safety Rating
Rugged, dependable and good off-road are the most obvious qualities of the Trailhawk. It stands out from the rest of the mini-SUVs by being able to do the S and the U with plenty of vigour.
It's just a shame that its on-road manners can't match that of its big brother, the Cherokee. Unless you're planning on proper off-roading, the Trailhawk might not be quite what you're looking for.
Vehicle | Specs | Price* | |
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Sport | 1.4L, PULP, 6 SP DUAL-CLUTCH AUTO | $14,740 – 19,360 | 2016 Jeep Renegade 2016 Sport Pricing and Specs |
Longitude | 1.4L, PULP, 6 SP DUAL-CLUTCH AUTO | $17,600 – 22,220 | 2016 Jeep Renegade 2016 Longitude Pricing and Specs |
Longitude 75th Anniversary | 1.4L, PULP, 6 SP DUAL-CLUTCH AUTO | $16,390 – 21,010 | 2016 Jeep Renegade 2016 Longitude 75th Anniversary Pricing and Specs |
Limited | 1.4L, PULP, 6 SP DUAL-CLUTCH AUTO | $19,140 – 24,200 | 2016 Jeep Renegade 2016 Limited Pricing and Specs |
Design | 7 |
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Price and features | 6 |
Under the bonnet | 6 |
Safety | 7 |
Driving | 6 |
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