The refreshed 2019 Renegade was shown for the first time today, in Europe, where the Italian-made crossover is a hot seller.  Under the skin are new engine options, which in the US were probably more hotly anticipated than an updated Renegade.

2019 jeep renegade

The round headlights, a design feature shared with the truly off-road-capable Wrangler, now have insets, declaring them to be LEDs; the grille was freshened as well, and the side mirrors now have integrated turn signals. The rear was also freshened, with minor changes to the distinctive tail-lights (inspired by wartime jerry-cans).

2019 renegade tail

The company noted updates to the engines without being specific. FCA’s new small engines (GSE) have been launched in Brazil, and would be likely replacements for the current 1.4 liter “FIRE” engine, which has been criticized in U.S. outlets for uneven responsiveness; Allpar source Karl3 wrote that the Renegade would be the first Jeep use of the GSE.

It’s possible that the 2.4 liter TigerShark may be replaced or supplemented by a new GME engine; so far, the Jeep version of that engine has only been shown in turbocharged (Compass) and turbo-hybrid (Wrangler) forms, but it’s not unreasonable to expect a naturally aspirated version.

AutoGuide  wrote that they expected the nine-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions to remain for 2019 in both Europe and North America. The Renegade is built in multiple factories, but Europeans, United States residents, and Canadians all draw from an Italian plant.