2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. It shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass, but its design was distinct, carrying over the subtle refresh from 2019. The Renegade's interior was modern and functional, with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, offering easy access to controls. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment. The Sport trim included essentials like push-button start and a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim offered luxury features such as leather upholstery and heated front seats. The Trailhawk trim focused on off-road capability with skid plates and all-terrain tires.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained the familiar look of its gas-only counterparts, with subtle differences like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. It featured sophisticated LED fog lights and a distinct rear bumper. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid offered unique instrumentation to display battery-charge status and power distribution. The steering wheel paddles managed the regenerative braking system. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive, the CR-V Hybrid ranged in price from $30,560 to $36,350. The Touring trim added features like larger wheels, navigation, and a premium sound system. The interior boasted a rich two-tone contrast with ivory leather, though the fake wood trim was less impressive.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided better torque and refinement. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good cornering stability and maneuverability in tight spaces. The Trailhawk trim, with its terrain management system and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, excelled in off-road conditions.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most suitable one. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight from the battery pack improved weight distribution and maintained 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It delivered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg, achieving only 33.7 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom in both rows, with good front legroom and adequate rear space for adults. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including foldable front passenger seats for added versatility.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space, with supportive front seats offering 12-way power adjustment and heated options. The rear seat provided exceptional legroom, similar to the Accord sedan, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space measured 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims. Both screens featured the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a 7-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. It supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the voice-recognition technology was limited. The Touring trim included a nine-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, it received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.