While I can't comment on the way that the rack meets the bars, I have owned a yakima for my Golf and I will be getting the new towers for my sport and wouldn't consider getting a thule.
Unless you are into light weight road bikes, I would avoid thule because the tire straps aren't as rugged as yakima, the fork skewers aren't as beefy and the latch mechanism is questionable.
My yakima steelheads are great. They are all metal where they meet the fork, the lock mechanism is great and the tire straps are tough. I also have a yakima that holds the front tyre (since I have a 20mm thru axle) and it's my favorite tray.
I would also note that thule doesn't seem to hold up as well as yakima in the weather. I have had my rack since 2003 (purchased used) and it still looks new. I have yet to see a thule on any car that looks like it's in great shape (they rust)
check out
www.yakima.com to see the different options for the renegade. I'm going to be ordering my towers from my local bike shop.
Good luck!
-Mark