Even though you already know you want your next vehicle to be a Jeep, there’s still a choice to be made: Which model is the best one for you? Although different models share some design and performance features in common, each one offers a unique way to experience what the brand has to offer.
Whether you’re buying or leasing, it’s important to pick the Jeep model most aligned with your wants and needs. This means choosing the SUV most fitting for your lifestyle and budget.
Only you can ultimately decide which Jeep is best for you, but here are some hints to get you started.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Jeep
Choosing which Jeep to buy or lease seems like one decision, but it’s really a process made up of many smaller decisions — each one helping you narrow down your priorities until you’re ready to make a final choice.
Which factors are most important to consider when picking out your dream SUV? This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it highlights some of the most important vehicle characteristics.
Size: SUV sizes span a wide range, from subcompact to midsize to large. This key choice will determine how many passengers you can seat, how much interior cargo space you can access and how much gas the vehicle uses.
Fuel economy: Your SUV’s fuel economy determines how often you’ll find yourself visiting the fuel pump and how much you can expect to spend each month on gas.
Capability: Need to tow your toys up to the cabin for the weekend? Want to be able to crawl rocks or drift across dunes on your days off? Decide which kinds of capabilities you want your Jeep to have.
MSRP: Consider the total cost your budget can support, then look for Jeep SUVs that fall within that price bracket. Pro tip: Keep an eye on Jeep incentives on certain models year-round, too.
Jeep Models According to Driving Needs
Once you have your priorities set, you can match them up with the Jeep model most likely to fulfill your needs. The following list gives you a good example of what’s out there but does not include every Jeep model available — visit your local dealership for a complete idea of what’s on the lot.
For Off-Roading: Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is the undisputed off-road champ, with tons of modifications available to make it your own, high ground clearance, skid plates and a hearty list of powertrain options.
For Daily Commuting: Renegade, Compass or Grand Cherokee
When daily drivability on city roads comes into play, these three models are going to be your best bet. It really depends on which size suits your life: the subcompact Renegade, compact Compass or midsize Grand Cherokee.
For Family Drives: Grand Cherokee L
If you sometimes need to transport six or seven passengers without sacrificing comfort, consider the Grand Cherokee L — which adds a third row to the beloved midsize SUV.
For Luxury: Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer
For the 2022 model year, Jeep unfurled the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneers — premium luxury SUVs capable of carrying seven or eight. Although these models emphasize luxury materials and high-tech cabin amenities, drivers may be surprised by their 4×4 grit and towing capacities.
For Cargo Space: Gladiator
Sometimes interior cargo space, no matter how roomy, simply doesn’t cut it. The Gladiator is a true workhorse vehicle in this respect, adding a five-foot truck bed to a Wrangler-inspired body.
Deciding which Jeep for you is a matter of first taking stock of your desires and your “must-have” qualities in an SUV. The good news? There really are enough Jeep models out there to really tailor your selection to your driving and budgetary needs.
