The Complete Jeep Buying Guide: Every Model, Explained

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.

The History of the Jeep brand

Jeep

Jeep is an American SUV and truck manufacturer and a division of European conglomerate Stellantis. The company started when Willys-Overland began producing civilian jeeps, commonly abbreviated to “CJ,” after World War II. (The origin of the word “jeep” itself is rather murky.) 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 bought AMC in 1987. Fiat Chrysler merged with Group PSA to form Stellantis in 2021.

WWII-era Jeeps were designed to go anywhere. That plucky off-road capability has defined the Jeep brand since. The first CJs were boxy, two-door off-roaders, modestly upgraded from their military versions. Jeep expanded its oeuvre in later years, producing wagon-style SUVs like the Cherokee and Wagoneer. In recent years, Jeep has branched out further into road-dwelling crossovers — off-road capable vehicles carry a “Trail Rated” badge. On various occasions, Jeep has also dabbled with pickup trucks.

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: Acronym short for 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.

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 and was refreshed for the 2024 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’s resale value is among the best 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 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 transmission. All other Wranglers have an eight-speed automatic.

Engines:

• 2.0-liter inline-four turbo (270 hp, 295 lb-ft)
• 3.6-liter V6 (285 hp, 260 lb-ft)
• 2.0-liter inline-four turbo PHEV (375 hp, 470 lb-ft)
• 6.4-liter Hemi V8 (470 hp, 470 lb-ft)

Transmissions:

• 8-speed automatic
• 6-speed manual

Ground Clearance: 9.4 in

Base Price: $32,095

Jeep Gladiator

Jeep

The Gladiator is Jeep’s Wrangler-based midsize pickup. It debuted as a new vehicle for the 2020 model year. The truck is intended to be a direct competitor for the Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. It’s projected to rival the Taco and the Wrangler for the best resale value of any used vehicle in the United States, which should make it affordable to lease.

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.

Engine:

• 3.6-liter V6 (285 hp, 260 lb-ft)

Transmissions:

• 8-speed automatic
• 6-speed manual

Ground Clearance: 10 in

Base Price: $38,775

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Stellantis

The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s midsize crossover SUV. It’s perennially the best-selling vehicle Jeep makes. And the fifth generation debuted for the 2022 model year. The Grand Cherokee can come with 4WD or FWD. Jeep got rid of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, so the Grand Cherokee can be had with a 3.6-liter V6 or the 2.0-liter inline-four PHEV.

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.

Engines:

• 3.6-liter V6 (290 hp, 257 lb-ft)
• 2.0-liter inline-four turbo PHEV (375 hp, 470 lb-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Ground Clearance: 8.0 in

Base Price: $36,495

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

FCA

Jeep debuted the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee with the three-row Grand Cherokee L. It’s a rival for family SUVs like the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Kia Telluride. The all-new two-row Grand Cherokee version will arrive later this year. The Grand Cherokee L can seat either six or seven passengers.

The Grand Cherokee L still offers a 5.7-liter V8 as an upgrade over the V6 but does not offer a 4xe plug-in hybrid.

Engines:

• 3.6-liter V6 (290 hp, 257 lb-ft)
• 5.7-liter V8 (357 hp, 390 lb-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Ground Clearance: 8.3 in

Base Price: $42,130

Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer

Jeep

The Wagoneer is Jeep’s all-new full-size luxury three-row SUV, with a super-luxe 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 Obsidian starts at a staggering $112,335. Does that all sound like 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. Even the thriftiest 4WD Wagoneer earns just 16 mpg in city driving.

Engines:

• 5.7-liter V8 (392 hp, 404 lb-ft)
• 6.4-liter V8 (471 hp, 455 lb-ft)
• 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (510 hp, 500 lb-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Ground Clearance: 8.3 in

Base Price: $61,595

Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer L

Stellantis

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.

Engines:

• 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (420 hp, 468 lb-ft)
• 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (510 hp, 500 lb-ft)

Transmission

• 8-speed automatic

Ground Clearance: 8.3 in

Base Price: $64,595

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep

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 compact crossover.

Jeep is phasing out the Cherokee after the 2023 model year. It’s still available in two trims: Altitude Lux and Trailhawk. Four-wheel-drive is now standard.

Engines:

• 2.4-liter inline-four (180 hp, 171 lb-ft)
• 2.0-liter inline-four turbo (270 hp, 295 lb-ft)

Transmission:

• 8-speed automatic

Base Price: $37,695

Jeep Compass

Jeep

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 lookalike 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.

Engine:

• 2.0-liter inline-four turbo (200 hp, 221 lb-ft)

Transmission:

• 8-speed automatic

Ground Clearance: 7.7 in

Base Price: $28,400

Jeep Renegade

FCA US LLC

The Renegade is Jeep’s entry-level subcompact crossover. It’s the smallest vehicle in the Jeep lineup, with more Italian DNA than its brethren. It is the only Jeep vehicle manufactured entirely outside North America.

Jeep revamped 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 is now only available with four-wheel-drive.

Engines:

• 1.3-liter inline-four turbo (177 hp, 210 lb-ft)

Transmission:

• 9-speed automatic

Ground Clearance: 8.0 in

Base Price: $28,345

Future Vehicle: The 2025 Jeep Recon

Stellantis

Jeep’s first EV in America will be the Recon. It’s boxy. You can take the doors off. It’s not an electric Wrangler, but it is Wrangler-inspired. We’re supposed to see it this year. It should arrive sometime in 2024 for the 2025 model year.

Future Vehicle: The Wagoneer S

Stellantis

The Recon will also be joined by a to-be-named Wagoneer EV that used the “Wagoneer S” name as a placeholder. It sounds like a de facto replacement for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, packing around 600 horsepower and having a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Future Vehicle: the Electric Jeep Wrangler

Jeep

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler will be an electric car. And Jeep says it will be a 12 to the current Wrangler Rubicon’s 10 on Jeep’s Trail Rating scale. Expect it sometime around 2027.

More Future Cars We’re Excited About…

Toyota

• Scout Motors EV Pickup & SUV
• 2025 Toyota 4Runner
• Toyota Stout Compact Pickup Truck
• Mercedes-Benz Electric G-Wagen
• 2027 Volkswagen ID. GTI

Related Topics