Jeep is charting new waters with its 2015 Renegade, which takes the SUV brand into subcompact territory. The vehicle will also be built in Italy and imported to the U.S., which is another first for Jeep, but the good news is that the Renegade should live up to Jeep’s reputation for toughness and off-road prowess.

That’s because the 2015 Renegade will offer two of the most advanced and intelligent 4x4 systems in its class. Both systems can send up to 100 percent of engine torque through any wheel, for optimal grip. However, in normal driving the rear axle disconnects to help save fuel, re-engaging almost instantly whenever 4x4 traction is needed.

As mentioned, there are two separate 4x4 systems to choose from. The first is Jeep Active Drive, which is a regular 4x4 system. The second is Jeep Active Drive Low, which offers a 20:1 low-range mode for crawling. Both systems also feature the Jeep Selec-Terrain feature, which allows the driver to select from five different modes (Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud modes, plus an exclusive Rock mode on a Trail Rated Trailhawk model) depending on conditions.

That’s right, the 2015 Jeep Renegade will come in Trail Rated Renegade Trailhawk flavor. This model comes standard with the Jeep Active Drive Low 4x4 system and extended Jeep Selec-Terrain feature. However, it also gets a 0.8-inch taller ride height, skid plates, tow hooks, 17-inch all-terrain tires, a hill-descent feature and unique bumpers.

For the North American market, the 2015 Renegade will offer two different engine options. The base unit is a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder good for 168 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The second option a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque on tap. The latter offers a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds. Overseas, a range of diesels will also be offered.

A six-speed manual transmission will be standard with a nine-speed automatic remaining an option. The latter is said to offer aggressive launches, smooth power delivery at highway speeds and improved fuel efficiency versus a six-speed automatic transmission.

The interior of the all-new 2015 Renegade has a distinctive form language which designers have titled Tek-Tonic. The new design theme is defined by the intersections of soft and tactile forms with rugged and functional details. One standard out feature is a pair of removable roof panels.

Available tech goodies include the Uconnect interface with the new Uconnect Access connectivity system, a digital instrument cluster, and safety monitoring such as forward collision warning and lane departure warning.

Production of the Renegade as well as a similar Fiat model based on the same platform, the 500X, will take place at Fiat Chrysler’s plant in Melfi, Italy. Preparing the plant for the production of the two new vehicles has cost approximately $1.3 billion.

Sales are expected to commence this fall. Worldwide sales of the Renegade are expected to top 150,000 units annually thanks to the burgeoning compact crossover market. Key rivals include the MINI Cooper Countryman, Nissan Juke and Buick Encore/Opel Mokka twins.

Look for the 2015 Jeep Renegade to land in showrooms this fall. And for more from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, head to our dedicated hub.

Following its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the 2015 Jeep Renegade made its first U.S. public outing at the New York Auto Show today. If you’re wondering what’s with the title (does "ItAlien" sound better?), it’s because the Renegade will be the first Jeep built exclusively outside the U.S., at Fiat’s Melfi plant in Italy.

The brand’s first small SUV promises best-in-class off-road capability thanks to two all-new 4x4 systems, the Jeep Active Drive full-time 4x4 and the Jeep Active Drive Low full-time 4x4 with 20:1 crawl ratio.

The Renegade also features the segment’s first disconnecting rear axle and power take-off unit (PTU) to help lower fuel consumption, with the Jeep Active Drive and Active Drive Low 4x4 systems instantly engaging when 4x4 traction is needed.

Both 4x4 systems include the Jeep Selec-Terrain system with up to five modes (Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud modes, plus exclusive Rock mode on the Trailhawk model). The latter has an increased ride height 0.8 inches (20mm) to 8.7 inches (221mm) and is also fitted as standard with the Jeep Active Drive Low with 20:1 crawl ratio, skid plates, signature red front and rear tow hooks, unique fascias delivering 30.5 degree approach, 25.7 degree breakover and 34.3 degree departure angles, Hill Descent Control and more.

In the U.S., the Renegade will be offered with two MultiAir gasoline engines, a 1.4-liter turbo delivering 160 hp and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque and a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated Tigershark engine producing 184 hp and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque. The former is paired as standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with a segment-first nine-speed auto being offered as standard with the 2.4-liter engine.

Jeep says both engines return more than 30 mpg highway (7.8 l/100 km), with an Eco Mode being also available. No pricing details are available yet.

While Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) nears a deal with Chinese officials that will allow the group to produce Jeep models in China, possibly starting with the new Cherokee and continuing with the Renegade that will soon begin rolling out of Fiat's factory in Melfi, Italy, the automaker will celebrate the local premiere of its new small SUV at the Beijing Auto Show with a special edition version.

It's named the Jeep Renegade Apollo and on the outside, it sports a bespoke brown finish with copper-colored trim accents, badges and wheels.

The same color theme is used in the individualized interior with copper accent finishes, brown leather and cloth seat upholsteries.

Further details on the car and Jeep's production plans will be released over the weekend.

The smallest Jeep: no slouch off road, and an element of charm to it too

The Jeep Renegade. Is that a new model then?

Yep. While Jeep claims it's the creator of the SUV, it has never had a competitive rival in the booming crossover class. The Renegade wants to change that. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but in Europe we're told it will kick off below the 20,000 Euro mark.

So how small is it?

At 4232mm long, it's almost identical in size to a Skoda Yeti (the greatest car ever built, of course). And that, alongside the Mini Countryman, is the car Jeep name-checks most when talking about the Renegade.

There is some familiar Jeep styling to the Renegade: the vertical-bar grille and round headlights recalling the old ****** Jeep as well as the Wrangler, and the silhouette has a whiff of old-school Cherokee. And the designers have also thrown in plentiful references to Jeep's past inside and out. Some of them a little... chintzy.

Such as...?

The touchscreen surround has ‘Since 1941' etched into it, a graphic of the ****** front-end is emblazoned everywhere from the speakers to the rear light lenses, and there's a mud splatter in place of a red line on the rev counter. Oh, and the dashboard's central air vent stack is inspired by ET's head.

It's try-hard in the same way as a Mini, and certainly not to all tastes, but what the heck. There are plenty of straight-laced competitors in the almost saturated crossover market. Let's welcome one that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Does it take itself seriously where it matters, though?

Perhaps more seriously than it needs to. While it's been co-developed with the upcoming Fiat 500X - the two share chassis hard points and wheelbases, as well as a production facility in Melfi, Italy - they head off in different directions after that.

In the US of A, where Jeep expects to sell a shedload of these, off-road ability is taken very seriously. As a result, there's some proper hardware available. Front-wheel drive may be standard but there are two AWD options, the most hardcore coming with hill descent control, a crawler ratio and increased ground clearance.. Both get an adjustable drive mode dial that toggles between settings such as snow, mud and sand, though helpfully you can just leave it in auto, too.

We've had a go in the top-spec Trailhawk model, which comes with the more serious setup, and talented it is, too. It climbs and descends some tough inclines and declines without too much trouble, distributing torque smoothly between the wheels on ground when others are hanging up in the air. The number of customers that will actually do this is, of course, negligible, but if it's an authentic Jeep people want, the Renegade at least ticks that box.

What about on the road?

It's perfectly fine. The ride is generally compliant, refinement isn't too shabby given the slab sides and specialised underpinnings, and grip is strong in both front and four-wheel-drive versions. It handles capably without ever truly entertaining - an area that pegs it behind the Skoda and Mini - but it's never offensive.

The range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines are familiar from Fiats and Alfas; a 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel will likely be among the most popular, and is just about strong enough to tug along the Renegade on road (though fast it ain't). The top-spec 168bhp 2-litre diesel is altogether more convincing, but likely to command a notably higher price, especially when specified with the nine-speed auto that complements it so well.

Nine gears?

Yes, though probably quite sensibly there are no paddleshifters - it's easy to get a bit lost if you take manual control with the stick. Left to its own devices, the shifts aren't as instantaneous and imperceptible as in a sorted twin-clutch transmission, but it hardly matters. The gearbox judges its changes cleverly and it kicks down smoothly. Not once did we curse it for picking the wrong gear, and it made light work of the tough off-road course, too.

There is also a manual option, which has made the online American press very excited. Yes, this is still a Jeep you can 'shift stick', with a six-speed manual on most models, though not the hardiest Trailhawk.

Any more tech I should know about?

All Renegades get a 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth as standard, posher specs getting a 6.5-inch screen with sat nav as well as a TFT display between the dials. There's a selection of safety equipment on the options list, too, including the lane departure and collision avoidance systems that are beginning to feel de rigeur nowadays.

Bet there are loads of personalisation options too...

Bingo. There's a stocky colour palette, with traditional off-road-vibe greens and browns joined by more vibrant oranges, yellows and blues. There are loads of alloys to choose from, US army-style decals, and if you really pore over the accessories catalogue, all manner of attachable tents and kayak carriers. It wouldn't be a crossover without some outdoor hobby clichés bundled in.

When can I buy one?

It arrives in most European markets imminently, while UK sales begin in the first quarter of 2015. If Jeep gets the pricing right, the Renegade should make a cracking case for itself - it's got some proper off road chops and a sense of fun that evades a number of its rivals. Although it still hasn't knocked this off its greatest car in the world perch quite yet.