The Jeep Renegade is possibly the least American Jeep ever, but should we hold that against it?

After all, it makes liberal use of the Fiat parts bin thanks to close connection with the upcoming 2016 Fiat 500X and it’s even built in an Italian Fiat factory, all odd considering Jeep wraps itself in its American heritage so often.

The diminutive Renegade is, after all, made with international markets in mind – but what do American reviewers think of it now that it’s finally landed on these shores?

Consumer Reports has one of the first video reviews of the Renegade in the U.S., putting it on their east coast test course rather than the Northern California route most other auto journalists were on. Still, it looks like CR gets the point of the Renegade.

It majors on style, but provides an unexpected amount of off-road ability that other small SUVs can’t match. And that upright styling provides headroom for adults some of those rivals can’t offer, either, thanks to their sloping rooflines. No, it’s not the last word in either category, but the Renegade is going to be an inexpensive ball of character and that’s to be appreciated among modern cars.

Because most importantly, you can get it with a turbo and a manual. Seriously, it’s a Jeep hot hatch!

Video