2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was a compact SUV that drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and a seven-slat grille. By 2021, it had undergone a subtle refresh, maintaining its rugged aesthetic while incorporating some previously optional features as standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2026 Lexus TX, on the other hand, was available in multiple trims based on powertrain options, including the TX 350, 500h hybrid, and 550h+ plug-in hybrid. The 550h+ stood out with its standard panoramic glass roof and Matador Red Mica paint. The exterior featured a large grille, sharp bi-LED headlights, and rear LED lighting. Inside, the TX offered luxury features like multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, and a spacious third row. However, the material quality was not up to luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, though not necessarily practical.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided better torque and refinement. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good cornering stability and maneuverability, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road capabilities, was the only one with Jeep's "Trail Rated" designation.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of powertrains, with the base model producing 317 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The 550h+ plug-in hybrid generated 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. The TX provided various drive modes, including electric-only, hybrid, and gas-only options, along with Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom modes. The 550h+ delivered a quiet and smooth ride, with a capable all-wheel-drive system and Trail Mode for slippery surfaces. The adaptive suspension and rear steering in the 500h hybrid offered better handling, despite being down 38 horsepower compared to the plug-in hybrid.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, which was above average for its segment. Its tall, boxy design provided ample headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including foldable front passenger seats for added space.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ provided standard luxury features like multi-zone climate control and heated seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and USB-C ports for each seat. The second row had a one-touch button for easy third-row access, though folding it flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. All TX models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims, both running the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an available Kenwood premium audio system.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was easy to use but lacked some features, like manual satellite radio input. Steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occurred. The TX offered a backup camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system. It also had seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trailhawk trim lacked emergency braking. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though setup was confusing. The TX 350 and 500h received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gave it mixed scores in crash tests.