There are many different SUVs (and one pickup truck) on offer at Jeep. That, of course, leads to the question: what is the best Jeep for you to buy?
Well, it's essential to start with a solid foundation of knowledge and research. Here, we present a complete overview of the Jeep model lineup from off-roading trucks and SUVs to family crossovers, including the brand's history and terminology.
This guide covers everything you need to know before buying a Jeep to help you arrive at the dealership prepared, confident...and possibly more knowledgeable than your Jeep sales associate is.
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The History of the Jeep brand
Jeep
Jeep is an American SUV and truck manufacturer and a division of Stellantis. The company started when Willys-Overland began producing civilian jeeps, commonly abbreviated to “CJ,” after World War II. Willys received the trademark for “Jeep” in 1950 and merged with Kaiser Motors in 1953 to form Kaiser-Jeep. American Motors Corporation later bought that company in 1970, then Chrysler in 1987. Fiat Chrysler merged with Group PSA to form Stellantis in 2021.
Jeep helped initiate two massive automotive industry trends: accessorized off-roading and the SUV-as-family vehicle. Recent moves to bring Jeeps more upmarket and make them more practical have led to the division’s most robust sales ever.
Jeep Terms to Know
Gear Patrol
4xe: Pronounced "4-by-eee." This is the branding for Jeep plug-in hybrids such as the new Wrangler 4xe.
Aftermarket: Parts and accessories manufactured by a third party.
Desert Rated: New badge created for the Gladiator Mojave that adds intense heat and sand resistance to Jeep's Trail Rated testing.
Jeep Wave: A social convention where Jeep Wrangler owners acknowledge one another on the road with a quick wave. Not applicable to other Jeep vehicles. Also, a Jeep owner membership program with special benefits.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. Jeep has been a forerunner of OEM customization, grabbing profits from the robust Wrangler aftermarket by accessorizing its vehicles in-house.
Solid Axle: The Wrangler uses a dependent "solid axle" suspension instead of the independent suspensions found in most cars. Opposing wheels are connected by a bar into a single unit. This setup offers advantages for off-roading. It is simpler and easier to repair. But it also hampers on-road ride quality, which is why other Jeeps converted to independent suspensions.
Trail Rated: Badge given to off-road capable Jeep vehicles that meet a five-standard test for traction, water fording, maneuverability, articulation and ground clearance. Wranglers and Gladiators have a Trail Rated badge. Crossovers will have a Trail Rated version better for off-roading.
Some of Jeep's Unique Trim Levels
Jeep
Jeep offers many trim levels, often with names that sound evocative but don't explain what they are. (And sometimes they combine them into new trims — i.e., the Sahara Altitude merges those two trim levels into a separate one). Here are a few examples to help clear things up.
Altitude: An appearance upgrade offering slick, trendy blacked-out detailing.
Black and Tan: A Wrangler variant with black paint and a tan top and upholstery.
Freedom: A variant of the Wrangler Sport S that pays tribute to members of the armed services.
High Altitude: A high-end luxury edition.
Jeepster: A variant of the Renegade Sport with visual upgrades.
Mojave: Like the Rubicon, but designed more for high-speed desert running. Only available on the Gladiator, for now.
Overland: A premium luxury trim offered for the Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Gladiator.
Rubicon: A premium off-road performance trim for the Wrangler and Gladiator. These vehicles come loaded with upgraded 4×4 systems and heavier-duty components for leaving the pavement.
Sahara: A premium trim.
Summit: A top-tier luxury trim for the Grand Cherokee starting above $50,000.
Trailhawk: An upgraded trim level for the Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass and Renegade. It offers a distinctive off-road style and enhanced off-road capability not found on the standard model.
Willys: A retro-inspired off-road trim for the Wrangler.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep
The Wrangler is Jeep's iconic body-on-frame SUV. It descends from the original CJ line. The latest "JL" generation debuted for the 2018 model year. The Wrangler is the most off-road capable SUV in Jeep's lineup. Its capability and ample charm have outweighed concerns about driving dynamics. The Wrangler has among the best resale values of any vehicle in the U.S. It has a new rival in the Ford Bronco.
Jeep offers two Wrangler body styles: the two-door and four-door "Unlimited model — now preferred by about 90% of buyers. You can buy a Wrangler with four and six-cylinder gas engines, a six-cylinder diesel, a four-cylinder 4xe plug-in hybrid or a Hemi V8 in the Wrangler 392. The 3.6-liter V6 gas Wrangler can come with a manual. All other Wranglers have an eight-speed automatic.
Jeep fits the Gladiator with two engine options, a 3.6-liter V6 or a turbodiesel 3.0-liter V6. Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator can have a six-speed manual with the 3.6-liter V6 engine. Unlike the Wrangler, Jeep does not yet offer a hybrid or V8 version.
The Grand Cherokee is Jeep's midsize crossover SUV. It's perennially the best-selling vehicle Jeep makes. And the fifth generation is all-new for the 2022 model year. Currently, it is available with either V6 or V8 engines and either 4WD or FWD. A plug-in hybrid 4xe model is due to arrive in early 2022.
Unlike the Wrangler, Gladiator and Wagoneer, the Grand Cherokee uses a unibody crossover platform. But when equipped correctly in Trail Rated form, it can still be a formidable off-roader. Every trim is available as a three-row L model (see below) except the Trailhawk.
The Grand Cherokee L offers V6 and V8 engine options. A hybrid 4xe version should arrive soon. The Grand Cherokee L is also the first production vehicle in years to partner with McIntosh on a premium sound system.
The Wagoneer is Jeep's all-new full-size luxury three-row SUV, with a super-lux Grand Wagoneer version designed to compete with the Cadillac Escalade. Unlike the Grand Cherokee, the Wagoneer is a body-on-frame truck riding on the Ram 1500's pickup platform. And Jeep designed its interior to match with pretty much anything on the road.
The Wagoneer will have a lot of screens, tech and premium finishes, and the McIntosh audio system. The top-trim Grand Wagoneer Series III will start at a staggering $105,995. Does that all sound a bit much for a Jeep? Well, Jeep thought so too. The vehicles don't carry any Jeep branding on them.
Be aware: fuel economy is not a strong suit. The Grand Wagoneer earns just 15 mpg combined.
The Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L are the new extended-wheelbase versions of the Wagoneer SUVs. They are a foot longer than the normal Wagoneers with a 7-inch longer wheelbase. The extended length means about 42 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 131 cubic feet of total cargo space.
The Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L were the first Jeep vehicles to get the brand's new Hurricane inline-six engine, available in standard and high-outputs. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L are not sold with V8s.
The Cherokee is a storied nameplate in Jeep history. The XJ generation (1984-2001) modernized the SUV with its unibody construction. That vehicle then spent two generations as the Liberty before Jeep revived the Cherokee name for the fifth generation. It has a new rival in the Ford Bronco Sport.
The modern Cherokee is a compact crossover. It looks much improved after a 2019 facelift. It has three engine options and is available in either FWD or 4WD.
The Compass is Jeep’s less venerable compact crossover. It’s shorter than the Cherokee; the seating is more cramped, but it does offer more cargo capacity. A second-generation redesign in 2016 significantly improved the aesthetics, converting it from a Dodge Caliber look-alike into a baby Grand Cherokee. Not coincidentally, sales improved dramatically.
Jeep updated the Compass engine lineup for 2023. The engine is a 2.0-liter inline-four turbo that puts out 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. AWD comes standard on the Compass, which no longer offers a FWD option.
The Renegade is Jeep's entry-level subcompact crossover. It's the smallest vehicle in the Jeep lineup, sharing more Italian DNA than its brethren. It is the only Jeep vehicle manufactured entirely outside North America.
Jeep facelifted the Renegade for 2019, including two significant changes. The company added a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-four engine option. Jeep also dropped the Renegade's six-speed manual transmission. The Renegade can come in FWD or 4WD.