2022 Honda HR-V vs 2022 Jeep Renegade

When it comes to purchasing a new SUV, it is easy to let yourself get drawn to power. It's a common thought to connect power to size. Those big, square-bodied SUVs just look as if they exist for nothing other than raw power and performance. Add in the allure of having off-road capabilities, and it's easy to see how you might discount all other SUVs simply because your eyes are drawn to the idea of big and powerful. But what if size didn't really matter at all in terms of performance? What if you could get all the power you needed from a smaller, sleeker, more fuel-efficient SUV? If that's something that piques your interest, then it would behoove you to take a look at the performance and features when it comes down to the battle between the 2022 Honda HR-V vs 2022 Jeep Renegade.

The 2022 Honda HR-V is equipped with a relatively modest 1.8L four-cylinder engine. This engine design produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. The real key to measuring performance under the hood for the HR-V comes in its transmission technology. The 2022 HR-V comes standard with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). A CVT is a fairly new technology that takes the "steps" out of shifting gears. In a regular transmission, the engine reaches a specific RPM before the transmission shifts to the next gear. Because of this, the general idea in the automotive industry has been "the more gears, the better," as this increases the range in which a transmission can function at the highest possible level.

The CVT, however, has no "steps" that it has to hit in order to go to the next gear. Instead of using discrete gear ratios, the CVT is a pulley system actuated by a hydraulic cylinder that can increase or decrease the amount of space between the two sides of the pulley, changing the gear ratio. This allows for a much smoother drive and allows the vehicle to maintain its maximum efficiency at all speeds. According to the EPA, the CVT system leads to drivers seeing a boost in fuel economy of about 6%.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Renegade comes equipped with a 1.3L 4-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. By virtue of just raw numbers, the Renegade should provide significantly more power and acceleration. The reality is that while the Jeep does make it to 60 from a rolling start slightly faster, it only does so by the slimmest of margins. The 2022 Renegade has a 5-60 time of 9.6 seconds, only about half a second ahead of the 2022 Honda HR-V, which finishes at a respectable 10.3 seconds.

The difference comes in the fact that the 2022 Renegade comes equipped with a fairly standard 9-speed automatic transmission. This means that the Renegade loses time in the shifting of gears, while the 2022 HR-V gains time thanks to the CVT. Once again, despite the Jeep's engine being more powerful, its acceleration doesn't match expectations. Even in terms of engine size, horsepower, and torque, bigger does not always mean better.

Engine performance and Cargo space are good barometers for an SUV's performance when looking to make a decision between two different makes and models. While those two factors provide a good baseline in terms of analysis, there are a wide variety of other factors that consumers should consider. When making the plunge to buy a new vehicle, having the most information in hand is important in finding the SUV that suits your lifestyle and offers you the best advantages.

A good first place to start when analyzing a vehicle from all angles is at the wheels. The size, profile, and height to width ratio will tell you a great deal about how the vehicle with brake and handle. The 2022 Jeep Renegade comes with a 215/65 profile, which is on the taller side as far as tires go. This is another example of how bigger is not always better, as taller tires lead to a reduction in sidewall stiffness. The stiffer the tire sidewall, the easier it will handle quick braking and sharp turns.

This was what Honda engineers had in mind when they equipped the 2022 HRV with standard 215/55 profile tires. Another good factor to look at in terms of handling is the wheelbase. The general rule is the longer the wheelbase, the better the handling. The 2022 Honda HRV measures in with a wheelbase of 102.8 inches, which is 1.6 inches longer than the 101.2-inch wheelbase of the 2022 Jeep Renegade.

To carry on with the examination of why bigger is not always better in the automotive industry, another key factor is the functionally of a vehicle––specifically in its handling ability and chassis. Again, looking at the 2022 Jeep Renegade, the general thought is "big and powerful," and we equate that with "better." This is one instance where the size really does matter, but not in the way you might think.

The Jeep Renegade weighs in at a whopping range between 3,056 to 3,532 pounds. That is a significant amount of weight to move around and will further decrease efficiency and handling. When compared to the svelt 2022 Honda HR-V, which weighs in at between 2,906 to 3,142 pounds, you can see that there is as much as a 400-pound difference between the two. The 2022 HR-V has more cargo size, reasonable engine output, smoother shifting, and better handling. So far, the tale of the tape is proving to be far less accurate than the performance specs.

You might like the powerful look and style of the 2022 Jeep Renegade, and while you love the appeal of all the other functional aspects of the 2022 Honda HR-V, you still have one burning thought. It is clear that the Honda meets or exceeds the performance of its Jeep counterpart in all other comparative metrics. Because of this, you now consider that even though the 2022 Honda HR-V is a better overall vehicle, perhaps you should purchase the 2022 Jeep Renegade simply because its lesser performance must give it a lower price tag. Perhaps you're thinking that having that powerful look at less cost is an option that appeals to you. Here again, we have another example of why bigger is not always better.

The 2022 Jeep Renegade comes in with an MSRP of $24,490, which is actually higher than the 2022 Honda HR-V's starting price tag––an affordable $21,870.a With the HR-V you are getting better performance, better fuel efficiency, more cargo space, and better handling and braking for less money. As if that isn't enough, consider that the 2022 HR-V comes with a fuel economy rating of 28 MPG city and 34 MPG highway, while the Renegade tops out at just 24 MPG city and 32 MPG highway.^[b] With the price of gasoline as high as it is, driving the more efficient HR-V adds up to substantial savings over a few years of ownership.

Buying an SUV means you're looking for a unique combination of things in your new vehicle. You want to make sure you have ample cargo space and have the power and performance capabilities to handle whatever life may throw your way. Because of those base needs, it is easy to walk into a dealership and become immediately fixated on the 2022 Jeep Renegade. Though it is classed as a compact SUV, it stands at an impressive 67" in height, some 4" taller than the 2022 Honda HR-V. This taps into a primal belief system that "bigger is always better." This, however, is not the case.

Believe it or not, the shorter 2022 Honda HRV actually has more cargo room than the 2022 Renegade. With the back seat up, the HRV has an impressive 24.3 cubic feet of storage space––and that amount increases with the seat folded down to a staggering 58.8 cubic feet. In comparison, the Renegade only offers 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the seat up and 50.8 with the seat down. One would never guess this by simply looking at the two vehicles side by side, but, as they say, looks can be deceiving.

You're probably reading this and thinking, "Ok, so one has more cargo space than the other, big deal. Cargo space isn't the make it or break it measure of an SUV." You're right; it's not. However, it serves as a nice precursor for the theme simply because of how surprising that fact is, and how far the truth lands from physical perception. This is a trend that only continues as we further analyze both vehicles.

In a world that is always trying to get more out of you, Let Ralph Honda give you less of what you don't need and more of what you want. The 2022 Honda HR-V offers more cargo space, more fuel efficiency, more handling, and less worry than many competing models––all at a lower starting price. Located in Rochester, New York, Ralph Honda has been proudly serving our local community for over 50 years. Our mission is to match drivers with cars they love, whether you are looking for a brand-new Honda or one of our high-quality used vehicles.

If you are someone that is looking for a stunning combination of fuel efficiency, cargo space, power, and dependability, then the new 2022 HR-V is likely for you. The dedicated sales agents here at Ralph Honda will stop at nothing to put you behind the wheel of not just the Honda you want, but the Honda you need. Visit us today to begin your search for your next SUV!

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^[a] MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,225 destination charge and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $395 charge for premium colors.

^[b] 28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 27 city/31 highway/29 combined mpg rating for AWD LX. 26 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg rating for AWD Sport, EX and EX-L. Based on 2022 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.