What do you ride now? That's pretty key in terms of knowing if the renegade will be 'easier' to ride.
Also, what's your gearing now? List that as well as the gearing of the bike you are considering. The gear combinations are mostly what will determine if the renegade is 'easier'.
As for the gear on the bike...I assume you mean the components? Again- what do you have now- that will in part determine if the new bike needs more maintenance or not.
In general though...no- nicer components don't inherently need more maintenance.
Also, I'm not sure why you mention it's obvious that you won't take care of the bike as well as someone who buys it new. That isn't obvious at all.