After weeks of speculation, the American automaker has finally confirmed the return of the Jeep Renegade in 2027 as an affordable small 100% electric SUV. This is excellent news for buyers, as it is expected to have a starting price below $25,000 USD. Thus, we could expect a starting price of less than 40,000 CAD in Canada.
For now, only an electric powertrain is being discussed, as mentioned by Antonio Folisoa, the president of the Jeep brand, in a recent presentation to investors.
One Condition
Jeep has set itself the mission of producing a new Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, and the production of an affordable Renegade cannot take place without it. If successful, Jeep could offer the cheapest electric vehicle on the market, which would certainly be a major selling point.
Smoke and Mirrors?
$25,000 USD sounds quite appealing. However, expect that this amount will come with some restrictions, particularly regarding range. This isn’t the first time a manufacturer has tried to make a splash with a low starting price, especially in the world of electric vehicles.
It’s highly likely that more expensive versions will be offered with better range, making them more popular in the end. Nevertheless, I dare to believe that the option of a small electric SUV at $25,000 will appeal to many buyers. This element alone has already generated a lot of buzz, which serves as a form of advertising for the future model. It also confirms that the manufacturer made the right decision by playing the affordable vehicle card.
A Logical Continuation
The Jeep Renegade has never been the brand’s most popular model and has even experienced a significant decline in recent years. This is why the American automaker decided to remove it from its catalog last year. The concept of the Renegade is not bad at all. The problem mainly lies in the fact that it was evolving in the same family as models like the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee, which are among the most popular models in their respective categories.
This is why I sincerely believe that the Renegade could achieve greater success as an affordable small electric SUV, as there is currently a large gap in this segment.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
