Is Jeep Renegade Good In Snow?

If you are considering Jeep vehicles and think the Renegade is the right model for you, considering how Renegade performs in the snow is essential for driving in winter climates. Both snow and heavy rain are two of the worst driving conditions because drivers can quickly lose control of the vehicle. Rest assured, because we've done our research to inform you about the Jeep Renegade's winter driving capabilities. 

According to owners and experts alike, the Jeep Renegade performs well in snowy conditions. Known for having excellent off-road capabilities, the Renegade is equipped with Jeep's Selec-Terrain Traction Management system and other great features that make tackling the snow no sweat for Renegade. 

Now that you know the Renegade is capable of handling snow, we will go further into the features mentioned above and several others to discuss how they assist in making this a safe and reliable winter vehicle. We cover other questions regarding the Renegade, such as available driving modes, and highlight the best Jeep option for winter drivers. 

A Jeep Renegade parked on the side of the road, Is Jeep Renegade Good In Snow?

Features Of The Renegade That Help Performance In The Snow

Before we look into the various systems that make the Renegade a good option for snow conditions, take a look at this video. A convoy of off-road SUV's takes on the snow peaks of Washington State. One of the vehicles is a Jeep Renegade, and it performs extremely well in rough snow conditions -

To be fair, the vehicle owner explains in the commentary that some of the people driving the other vehicles weren't experienced in mountain driving in the snow. The bottom line is the same - only six vehicles made it through, and the Jeep Renegade was one of them.

So, now you know Renegade performs well in the snow, but let's delve deeper into the specific features that make this a capable winter car. 

Selec-Terrain Traction Management System 

The Selec-Terrain Traction Management system has five modes to account for any possible weather conditions drivers may encounter when driving, including auto, snow, sand, mud, and rock modes. Please note that the rock mode is only available with the Low 4x4 system, which we will elaborate on below.

These driving modes respond with the optimal throttle and traction responses, depending on the terrain you traverse. Auto is the standard mode used for day-to-day driving, whereas the other modes come into play for specific off-roading adventures or weather conditions. 

Since snow is what brought you here in the first place, we will focus on how the car adjusts to snow when in snow mode. Whether snow, sleet, or ice, the Renegade distributes an even amount of torque to all four tires and sets the suspension during snow mode. This mode gives drivers the best traction to prevent spinouts. 

Only four 2020 Jeep models are capable of offering snow mode: Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass, and Renegade. 

Optional 4x4 Systems

When looking into the Renegade, we found that there are two options to equip Renegade with 4x4 capabilities. Let's see what differentiates the two 4x4 options. 

Active Drive 4x4 System

Equipped with the Selec-Terrain system, you can confidently conquer the snow using the Active Drive 4x4 system. The Active Drive 4x4 system includes four out of the five driving modes mentioned above, excluding rock mode. With top-notch on- and off-road performance, any weather condition will be a breeze. If your primary concern is the weather, and you don't plan to do any challenging off-roading, the Active Drive 4x4 system could be right for your driving style.

Active Drive Low 4x4 System 

Also equipped with the Selec-Terrain system, you get all five driving modes with the Active Drive Low 4x4 system. The 20:1 crawl ratio makes for a more controlled off-roading experience. Overall, the Low 4x4 system makes traversing any terrain feel easy. Essentially, if you plan to take on some tough terrain, you should pick the Active Drive Low 4x4 system.

For a quick comparison of Renegade's 4x4 options, check out Jeep's official website.

Ground Clearance 

A standard feature in most Jeep models, the high ground clearance at a minimum of 8.7 inches, is ideal for winter driving. To compare, a car like the Toyota Camry has a ground clearance of 5.7 inches. When driving in deep snow, every inch counts. 

Skid Plates

Typically found on off-roading vehicles, skid plates on the Renegade help protect your car from debris or rough terrain. Skid plates are made out of abrasion-resistant material, which makes them more durable and long-lasting. 

Is Jeep Renegade Considered An SUV?

The Jeep Renegade is classified as a subcompact or small SUV.  Jeep includes the Renegade in their SUV lineup. Typically, when people think of SUVs, they think of oversized vehicles that have off-road capabilities. These vehicles have high ground clearance and are traditionally equipped with a four-wheel-drive system to allow for travel across various types of terrains.

While the Renegade falls within the mini side of SUVs, it comes equipped like a standard SUV, as described above. With the Jeep Renegade, you'll be guaranteed stellar off-road capabilities and easy-to-use driver-assist technology. 

Typically, people have a hard time deciding between trucks and SUVs when it comes to larger vehicles. If this is something you ever found yourself wondering about, check out our article: "Trucks vs. SUVs for Family Travel - Which is Better?"

What Does Jeep Snow Mode Do?

Some Jeep models are equipped with the Selec-Terrain Traction Management system. The system alerts the car to changing driving conditions as drivers encounter various weather and road conditions. Snow mode is one of the five modes available in this system.

Snow mode automatically, evenly distributes torque to all four tires so that you can get through slush, sleet, and snow. It will power through the brutal weather so that you feel safe while driving. Another great feature in snow mode is that the car can detect slippage and counteract accordingly. 

Is Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Good In Snow?

Simply put, front-wheel-drive is good in snow, but particularly light snow. Front-wheel drive is when all the car's weight is placed on the two front wheels, which help with traction. By having all the weight centralized to the front, it makes vehicles less likely to lose control of the back by oversteering. With front-wheel-drive deployed, you are less inclined to experience the rear of your vehicle sliding around. 

You should have no trouble traveling to work with a light dusting of snow using front-wheel-drive. It is when the snow gets deeper than front-wheel-drive isn't the best option. Ultimately, if you are traveling during mild weather conditions, front-wheel-drive can get you there in the snow.

A good combination is having front-wheel-drive capabilities and new winter tires. This would help any driver maintain control, taking on snow and ice. 

What Jeep Is Best In Snow?

After looking into it, we can confidently say that the Jeep Wrangler is the best Jeep in the snow. When looking at U.S. News and World Report's "The 12 Best SUVs For Snow In 2020," the Jeep Wrangle is first on the list, followed by the Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

Wranglers are known for their impeccable off-road abilities, are equipped to handle the worst of the worst when it comes to snow. With multiple four-wheel-drive (4WD) options, any weather conditions are easy to handle and make drivers feel confident. Wrangler's ground clearance is another factor that contributes to why it does well in the snow. Overall, it makes winter storms conquerable.  

Drivers who look into Jeeps also tend to look into trucks as possible options. If this sounds like you, you should check out our article, "Are Pickup Trucks Good in Snow?"

Conquer The Snow With Jeep Renegade

Now that you know the Jeep Renegade is good in snow and has features to help drivers feel safe, there is nothing to stop you from taking on the snow in this SUV. Feel safe knowing that the vehicle you are looking into can handle the weather thrown at it.  

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