1970 Renault Rodeo 4 Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Renault Rodeo 4 features a wheelbase of approximately 2,100 mm (82.7 inches). This relatively short wheelbase enhances its maneuverability in tight off-road situations, allowing the vehicle to navigate rugged terrain with increased agility. It contributes to a tighter turning radius, which is crucial for traversing narrow paths and making sharp turns, common challenges in off-road environments. Additionally, the wheelbase length helps balance stability and ride comfort, ensuring the Rodeo 4 remains practical both on and off the road.

The Renault Rodeo 4 boasts an estimated ground clearance of about 200 mm (7.9 inches), which is a key factor in its off-road capability. This height allows the vehicle to clear obstacles such as rocks, roots, and uneven terrain without damaging the underbody. A higher ground clearance improves the ability to drive over rough surfaces, reducing the risk of getting stuck or causing undercarriage damage. This makes the Rodeo 4 particularly suitable for off-road adventures, including rural and rugged areas where road conditions are less than ideal.

The curb weight of the Renault Rodeo 4 is approximately 800 kg (about 1,764 pounds). This relatively light weight contributes positively to the vehicle's handling characteristics, making it nimble and responsive, especially on rough or uneven terrain. The light weight also helps improve fuel efficiency compared to heavier off-road vehicles, which is an advantage for long trips or rural usage. However, being lightweight also means that the vehicle may have less inertia to carry it over very rugged obstacles, making driving technique important to maximize performance and safety.

Yes, the Renault Rodeo 4 is compact enough to fit into a standard residential garage. With its length of 3,670 mm (144.5 inches), width of 1,580 mm (62.2 inches), and height around 1,580 mm (62.2 inches), it comfortably fits within most garage dimensions, which typically accommodate vehicles up to about 6,000 mm (236 inches) long and 2,500 mm (98 inches) wide. Its compact form factor makes it convenient for daily use and storage, even for owners with limited garage space.

The Renault Rodeo 4 is a direct evolution of the Rodeo 3, maintaining a similar overall footprint but with some refinements. Both models share a compact off-road design; however, the Rodeo 4 introduced improved styling, chassis updates, and subtle dimension tweaks to improve comfort and stability. Length and width remain close to the previous generation, around 3,670 mm in length and 1,580 mm in width, but the Rodeo 4 often benefits from incremental improvements in interior space layout and suspension tuning. This makes the Rodeo 4 slightly more accommodating and better suited for extended use while retaining the same compact, maneuverable characteristics.

Compared to similar small off-road vehicles of the 1970s, like the Citroën Méhari or early Suzuki Jimny models, the Renault Rodeo 4 is comparable in size but offers a slightly different approach to design. The Rodeo 4's length of about 3,670 mm (144.5 inches) and width of 1,580 mm (62.2 inches) place it firmly in the compact off-road category. Its more enclosed cabin design contrasts with the Méhari's lighter, more minimalist body. Meanwhile, the Rodeo 4 is generally lighter and smaller than full-sized 4x4s from the same era, emphasizing nimbleness and urban/off-road versatility.

The Renault Rodeo 4 featured a unique and versatile design with modular roof options, including both soft-top and hardtop variants. The soft-top roof could be removed or folded back, turning the vehicle into an open-top for an enhanced outdoor experience, without significantly affecting the vehicle’s external height of approximately 1,580 mm (62.2 inches). The hardtop models maintained a similar height but offered improved weather protection and security. These roof options added to the vehicle’s functionality and appeal, allowing owners to customize the Rodeo 4 based on their needs and preferences without drastically changing the vehicle's key dimensional characteristics.

The Renault Rodeo 4 typically seats four passengers comfortably, with two front seats and a rear bench seat. The cabin layout emphasizes simplicity and functionality rather than luxury or extensive passenger space. Cargo space varies depending on configuration, with the rear seat foldable or removable in some versions to increase load capacity. While exact cargo volumes are modest due to the vehicle's compact size, the Rodeo 4 offers practical rear storage for off-road gear or daily items, making it suitable for both leisure activities and light utility tasks.

The Renault Rodeo 4 introduced several mechanical and structural improvements over its predecessor, the Rodeo 3. These included updates to the chassis for enhanced durability, suspension enhancements providing better ride comfort and handling, and engine optimizations for improved reliability and efficiency. The body was also redesigned for better aesthetics and improved modularity, giving more options for roof types and easier maintenance. These upgrades made the Rodeo 4 a more refined and capable vehicle, while still retaining the ruggedness and versatility that defined the Rodeo series.