Jeep vehicles are renowned for their ruggedness, off-road prowess, and distinctive design. But beyond the iconic seven-slot grille and trail-rated badges, Jeep designers have a playful side, especially when it comes to the Jeep Renegade. This compact SUV is packed with hidden design “Easter eggs” – delightful little surprises sprinkled throughout the vehicle. These aren’t just random decorations; they are thoughtful nods to Jeep’s heritage and the Renegade’s adventurous spirit. Let’s embark on a fun exploration to discover these hidden gems and understand why they make owning a Renegade even more special.
Over the years, automakers have been known to include these subtle, often whimsical, details in their vehicles. From Chevrolet Corvette emblems under the carpets to a shark hidden in the Vauxhall Corsa, these Easter eggs provide a sense of discovery and connection between the owner and the car’s design team. Jeep, however, has elevated this practice, particularly with the Renegade, making it a treasure hunt on wheels. This wasn’t Jeep’s first foray into hidden details. Designer Michael Santoro previously added a touch to the Wrangler TJ’s windscreen cowl, and the Compass and Grand Cherokee have sported the seven-slot grille in their headlights for years.
Image showing a close-up of the Jeep Compass headlight, highlighting the subtle seven-slot grille emblem embedded within the light design.
Image showcasing an overhead view of the Jeep Wrangler TJ, emphasizing the two instances of the seven-slot grille design on the vehicle’s cowl.
Initially, these hidden emblems might seem purely for amusement. Finding one can feel like uncovering a secret, a personal connection to the designers’ intent. However, some of these Easter eggs serve a more practical purpose, adding a layer of clever functionality to the fun.
Take, for instance, the silhouette of the Willys MB etched into the windscreen surround. This isn’t just a cute detail; it’s a trademarked element registered by Chrysler. This strategic move turns the Willys silhouette into a subtle watermark, making it difficult for third-party suppliers to create identical aftermarket parts. Interestingly, Jeep discovered that owners were significantly more likely to opt for genuine Mopar replacement windscreens to preserve this little Jeep icon, boosting brand loyalty and revenue for FCA (now Stellantis).
This successful strategy has inspired other manufacturers to follow suit. The Jaguar E-Pace, for example, features a jaguar cub playfully following its mother in the windscreen corner. However, the Jeep Renegade stands out with a far greater number of these hidden elements, making it a true Easter egg champion. While some details depend on the trim level and model year, many remain consistent across the Renegade lineup. Let’s delve into some of the most notable Easter eggs you can find on your Jeep Renegade:
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Seven-Slot Grille Headlight Emblem: On models with halogen headlights, a miniature seven-slot grille is subtly embossed within the bulb shroud. This design cue, first introduced on the WK2 Grand Cherokee in 2010, is a recurring theme throughout the Renegade.
Image highlighting the seven-slot grille emblem subtly embossed on the bulb shroud of a Jeep Renegade halogen headlight.
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Gas Can X-Pattern Tail Lights: The Renegade’s tail lights are famously designed to mimic the X-pattern found on WWII gas cans, a clear nod to Jeep’s military heritage. But look closer, and you’ll discover another small grille emblem subtly stamped into the tail light lens itself.
Image showing a detailed view of the Jeep Renegade tail light, pointing out both the gas can X-pattern design and the hidden grille emblem within the lens.
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Roof X-Pattern and My Sky Latch: The gas can X-pattern reappears on the roof of Renegade models equipped with either the My Sky open-air roof system or the panoramic sunroof. Furthermore, the release latch for the My Sky roof panels cleverly incorporates another Willys silhouette.
Image focusing on the Jeep Renegade’s roof, illustrating the gas can X-pattern design and highlighting the Willys silhouette hidden within the My Sky roof panel latch.
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Willys Wheel Silhouette: Some Renegade models feature alloy wheels adorned with a red Willys silhouette printed onto them. This adds a pop of color and another heritage touch to the vehicle’s exterior.
Image displaying a Jeep Renegade alloy wheel, clearly showing the red Willys silhouette printed as a design detail.
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Mopar Windscreen Willys: As previously mentioned, genuine Mopar replacement windscreens proudly display the silhouette of a tiny Willys MB climbing over rocks, usually located in one of the lower corners of the windshield.
Image showing the corner of a Jeep Renegade windscreen, clearly displaying the Willys MB silhouette watermark indicating a genuine Mopar part.
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Rear-View Mirror Sensor Grilles: The housing for the forward-facing sensors at the base of the rear-view mirror is not left plain. It features a pair of grille emblems, one on each side, adding a touch of Jeep DNA to the interior.
Image focusing on the rear-view mirror housing of a Jeep Renegade, highlighting the grille emblems incorporated into the sensor housing design.
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Speaker Surround Grille Emblems: Even the speaker surrounds in the Renegade get the Easter egg treatment. Each surround features a seven-slot grille emblem embossed on it, a subtle detail often overlooked but appreciated by keen-eyed owners.
Image showing a close-up of a Jeep Renegade speaker surround, clearly displaying the embossed seven-slot grille emblem detail.
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‘Since 1941’ Satnav Surround (Older Models): On some older Renegade models, the surround for the satellite navigation system featured an embossed “Since 1941,” commemorating Jeep’s historical origins. This detail seems to have been phased out in later models.
Image depicting the satnav surround in an older Jeep Renegade model, specifically showing the embossed “Since 1941” detail.
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Paintball Splatter Rev Counter: The rev counter in the Renegade features a unique paintball splatter design to indicate the redline. This quirky detail is rumored to be a nod to a favorite pastime of the Italian design team who worked on the Renegade.
Image highlighting the rev counter in a Jeep Renegade, focusing on the paintball splatter design used to mark the redline.
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Selec-Terrain Mode Graphics: The digital dash cluster in the Renegade isn’t static. Changing the Selec-Terrain drive mode setting dynamically alters the Renegade graphic displayed. For example, selecting “Mud” mode will show the Jeep depicted as being splattered with mud.
Image showing the Jeep Renegade’s digital dash cluster, illustrating how the graphic changes to depict a mud-splattered Jeep when “Mud” mode is selected in the Selec-Terrain system.
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Moab Map Cubby and Storage Bin: Trailhawk models take the Easter egg hunt a step further. A topographic map of Moab, Utah – a legendary off-roading destination – is etched into the rubber lining of the storage cubby in front of the gear lever and repeated inside the under-armrest storage bin. And, of course, there’s another seven-slot grille emblem included for good measure.
Image showcasing the storage cubby in a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk, highlighting the topographic map of Moab, Utah, etched into the rubber lining.
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Cupholder X-Pattern: Even the bottom of the cupholders repeats the gas can X-pattern seen in the tail lights and on the roof, maintaining design consistency throughout the vehicle.
Image showing the interior cupholders of a Jeep Renegade, focusing on the gas can X-pattern design molded into the bottom.
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Seat Grille Emblems and Trailhawk Logos: Leather seats on some Renegade models feature more seven-slot emblems subtly incorporated into the stitching or design. Trailhawk models further distinguish themselves with a discreet Jeep logo just visible beneath the mesh seat fabric.
Image displaying the leather seats of a Jeep Renegade, pointing out the subtle seven-slot emblems integrated into the seat design.
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Trailhawk Jeans-Style Labels: Trailhawk models also receive unique jeans-style labels stitched into the seats and door bin netting, adding a rugged, outdoorsy touch to the interior.
Image showcasing the interior of a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk, highlighting the jeans-style labels stitched into the seats and door bin netting.
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‘To New Adventures!’ Ignition Message: Around the ignition barrel or push-button start, an inviting message reads: “To new adventures!” This simple yet inspiring phrase encapsulates the Jeep spirit and the Renegade’s purpose.
Image focusing on the ignition area of a Jeep Renegade, clearly showing the “To new adventures!” message printed around the ignition barrel.
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Boot Floor Jeep Logo: Lifting the boot floor reveals a large Jeep logo embossed underneath, another hidden detail that reinforces brand identity.
Image displaying the boot floor of a Jeep Renegade lifted up, revealing the large embossed Jeep logo underneath.
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All-Weather Mat Willys Silhouette: If you opt for the all-weather floor mats, you’ll find yet another Willys silhouette molded into the rubber, ensuring even practical accessories contribute to the Easter egg theme.
Image showing a Jeep Renegade all-weather floor mat, highlighting the Willys silhouette molded into the rubber material.
But the Easter egg hunt doesn’t stop there! Inside the fuel filler door, a tiny spider with a speech bubble says “Ciao, Baby!” – a playful Italian greeting, referencing the Renegade’s Italian production origin. On the rear window, a yeti or Sasquatch is subtly hidden within the heating element lines. Opening the tailgate reveals another, larger seven-slot grille emblem on the inside panel. And for the truly adventurous, lifting up the seat foam might reveal contours and coordinates for a trail in Moab, Utah, embossed into the seat frame.
The sheer volume of Easter eggs in the Jeep Renegade demonstrates the designers’ dedication to adding personality and fun to this vehicle. These hidden details are more than just quirks; they are conversation starters, brand identifiers, and a testament to Jeep’s rich history and adventurous spirit. So, the next time you’re in your Jeep Renegade, take a closer look – you might just uncover another delightful Easter egg waiting to be found!
