Jeep Renegade exits the scene: Europe's future will be all-electric

With its square lines, youthful character , and unmistakable compact off-roader feel, the model built in Melfi has captivated audiences like few other SUVs. Today, however, comes the news that marks the end of its history: Jeep will discontinue production by the end of 2025, with no direct successor. This decision isn't driven by a sudden decline in popularity, but by a strategic repositioning of the brand, which in Europe intends to focus on next-generation electric models.

A Stellantis spokesperson confirmed to German website auto-motor-und-sport that the decision reflects three key factors: evolving market dynamics, changing customer preferences, and compliance with new emissions regulations. The Renegade, based on the aging Small-Wide platform developed by Fiat, will not be updated to meet future challenges. Partly inheriting its legacy will be the Jeep Avenger, approximately 20 centimeters shorter and with a starting price of €26,300, representing the new entry into the Jeep world. Positioned above it will be the revamped Jeep Compass, 4.55 meters long and available in Italy starting at €42,400.

The void left by the Renegade, however, will be felt. In its twelve-year career, the compact SUV has surpassed two million units sold worldwide, over half a million of which in Europe alone. In Italy, thanks to production at the Melfi plant in Basilicata, it has become an integral part of the urban landscape, on a par with national icons like the Fiat 500 and Panda. Its strength also lay in its variety: available with and without all-wheel drive, petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, and even as a plug-in hybrid, it has successfully embraced the various phases of mobility over time.

Today, the only version still on the price list is the 130 hp front-wheel drive E-Hybrid , priced from €31,100, set to be discontinued by 2025. With the end of the Renegade, Jeep closes a short but intense chapter. Its history is that of a model that has successfully combined the brand's off-road DNA with the needs of a young, urban audience, becoming the brand's first compact SUV and an absolute bestseller.

In 2014, the price list started at €19,900, with the top-of-the-line 170 hp Trailhawk starting at €31,900. Today, the same price tag barely gets you access to the base model, a sign of how pricing has changed and the market has shifted to a more competitive and selective environment. The brand's future strategy is clear: in Europe, Jeep intends to focus on four key models: the Avenger, the Compass, and the two new arrivals, the Wagoneer S and Recon, both 100% electric. This is a strong signal that calls into question the European future of icons like the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, at least in their traditional forms.

While Italian and European consumers may have to say goodbye to the Renegade, the brand promises to retain its mission: offering SUVs and off-road vehicles that combine style, durability, and innovation. This decision marks the end of an era and the beginning of another. The Jeep Renegade represented the accessible and democratic side of the brand, but today it makes way for a forward-looking electric offensive.

Enthusiasts still have time for one last purchase : dealerships will still have stock of vehicles available by early 2026. Then, even the little big Jeep will become a memory, leaving behind a legacy of millions of satisfied customers and a special place in the history of Italian automobiles.