Compare the2023 Jeep RenegadeVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The Renegade has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Crosstrek’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Renegade has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Crosstrek and isn't available on the not available.

Compared to metal, the Renegade’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek has a metal gas tank.

Both the Renegade and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Renegade is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

	Renegade	Crosstrek
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	26%	36%
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	42 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	44.6%
Neck Compression	47 lbs.	52 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	290/322 lbs.	230/427 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Renegade is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

	Renegade	Crosstrek
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	161 lbs.	196 lbs.
Hip Force	328 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	625 lbs.	824 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Renegade for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Crosstrek.

There are almost 4 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Renegade’s warranty.

Reliability

The engine in the Renegade has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Crosstrek have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 25 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Jeep higher than Subaru.

Engine

The Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (177 vs. 152) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 176) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Renegade has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Jeep Renegade comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Renegade’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Crosstrek:

	Renegade	Crosstrek
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	10.95 inches	10.8 inches

The Renegade stops much shorter than the Crosstrek:

	Renegade	Crosstrek
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	169 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Renegade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek (235/45R19 vs. 225/60R17).

The Renegade’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Renegade offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Crosstrek’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Renegade Trailhawk offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Crosstrek; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Renegade’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

Chassis

The Renegade is 9.9 inches shorter than the Crosstrek, making the Renegade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Renegade (except Trailhawk) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Renegade has 1.3 inches more front headroom and 2.5 inches more rear headroom than the Crosstrek.

Towing

The Renegade’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Renegade uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Renegade has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Crosstrek doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

The Renegade’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Renegade’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Crosstrek’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Renegade’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Crosstrek’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Renegade’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited.

On extremely cold winter days, the Renegade’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Renegade’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Renegade offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Renegade Limited’s optional Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Renegade is less expensive to operate than the Crosstrek because it costs $64 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Renegade than the Crosstrek, including $99 less for fuel injection, $46 less for a fuel pump, $22 less for a timing belt/chain and $9 less for a power steering pump.