What is the best Jeep 4x4?

Jeep has been around for decades, with the first make, the Willys Quad, appearing in 1940. Since then, Jeep has become synonymous with off-road vehicles and adventure.

There's no denying Jeep is an undisputed leader in the 4x4 market. But with so many models and variations, which Jeep 4x4 model is the best?

This review looks at different Jeep SUV models to help you find the best Jeep 4x4 for your budget and preferences. So buckle up!

Our selection criteria for the Jeep 4x4 reviews

We want this guide to serve everyone. That's why we didn't limit ourselves to a specific type of Jeep 4x4.

Instead, we reviewed a mix of popular models and the lesser-known ones to create a comprehensive guide. We used the following criteria to select the Jeep 4x4 vehicles for our reviews.

General popularity and sales

At EchoPark, we have extensive experience selling used cars, so we know a thing or two about the most popular models on the market.

A vehicle's popularity is usually associated with its superior build quality and performance. These vehicles are also often the best released in their respective years. So, it made sense to include them.

We also factored in the sales figures of different Jeep models to identify those with a solid customer base.

Price range

Jeep vehicles can range from affordable to luxurious. The cost largely depends on the features and build of the car.

Since we wanted to cater to people with different budgets, we included vehicles from various price ranges. Some of the cars we mention below are in the under $20k category on our site, while others may be more expensive.

Performance and capabilities

When creating this 4x4 guide, we prioritized the vehicles' performance and capabilities. We examined each model's engine, transmission, and drivetrain to determine its overall power and off-roading capabilities.

Technological features

Today's drivers need more than just a rugged and powerful vehicle. They want features like premium audio systems, parking sensors, backup cameras, and more.

That's why we considered tech features. Most vehicles in our Jeep 4x4 guide are equipped with sought-after features.

Safety

We know that safety is a vital consideration for any vehicle. That's why our vehicles meet or exceed the state inspection standard. Each vehicle is road-tested and passes a 190-point safety inspection that includes exterior, interior, underhood, tires, wheels, brakes, underbody, and hybrid systems.

We also reviewed the Jeep models' safety ratings to make sure they meet the necessary standards. And we considered additional safety features like lane departure warning systems and blind spot monitoring, which are popular in newer vehicles.

Every vehicle description on our website also lets you check the recall information for that particular car on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

Best Jeep 4x4 vehicles

Here's the list of the top Jeep 4x4 vehicles based on our research and analysis.

1. 2021 Jeep Compass—Most affordable

With a starting price of around $19,000, the 2021 Jeep Compass is an affordable choice for first-time Jeep owners. You can get an even better deal by purchasing a used Compass from EchoPark, road-tested and checked on 190 inspection points.

The vehicle features a four-cylinder engine with optional nine-speed automatic transmission. It offers multiple drive modes that fit different terrains. In the automatic setting, the torque is directed to the wheels as the vehicle sees fit. But in Mud, Sand, and Snow modes, the wheelslip is reduced to improve surface traction.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Jeep Compass gets 22/31 miles per gallon (mpg) city/highway, with a combined mileage of 25 mpg.

The Compass's interior boasts spacious seating for five and a cargo capacity of up to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Without the seats folded down, the cargo space is still ample at 27.2 cubic feet.

Features

Some highlighting features of the 2021 Jeep Compass include:

• Jeep's Uconnect system: The Compass features Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system, which supports auxiliary input and comes with a USB port.
• Safety: The 2021 Compass received a four-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Some of its safety features include lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking.
• Fog lights: You can easily navigate through foggy terrain using the Compass's standard front fog light.
• Heated front seats: The Compass Limited has heated and ventilated front seats and leather-trimmed bucket seats.

Trim selections

The Jeep Compass 2021 has six trim selections.

2. 2022 Jeep Wrangler—Best for off-road enthusiasts

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is a retro-looking vehicle with impressive off-road capabilities, making it the perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Like its predecessor, the new Wrangler has retained its standard 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 engine.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler has a fuel economy of 28-32 mpg combined, with 23 to 26 mpg in the city and 34 to 40 mpg on the highway. On the inside, the Wrangler may not be the most spacious of SUVs, but it compensates for this with its modern-vintage blend of the Jeep experience.

For a better view of the road, you can remove the doors and pop the top open.

Features

• Infotainment: The Jeep Uconnect is featured on all Wrangler models. It's an intuitive touchscreen system that's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, a nine-speaker audio system keeps you entertained on the road.
• Safety: Not all 2022 Jeep Wrangler models have been rated by the NHTSA, but the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has a four-star rating for frontal crashes. Some notable features are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
• Multiple drivetrains: The 2022 Jeep Wrangler offers different drivetrains, including plug-in hybrids, diesel, and gas.
• Push-button start: All 2022 Jeep Wranglers have a push-to-start button.
• Convertible top: The Wrangler offers multiple options for its removable top, including the retractable Sky One Touch roof system for easy open-air driving.

Trim selections

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is available in four trim levels. Each model further offers different styles, giving you over 10 options to choose from.

3. 2021 Jeep Gladiator—Best for hauling

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator is the best Jeep for people who need a cargo bed. Jeep hadn't created a model like this since the 1990s, but the 2021 Gladiator fills the gap for a mid-size truck that offers open-air driving.

The Gladiator tows up to 7,650 pounds, making it ideal for hauling boats, trailers, and other types of cargo. With a robust V-6 engine and a standard manual transmission, the Gladiator also presents a high-torque diesel engine choice boasting an impressive 442 lb-ft.

The Gladiator's power comes from a 3.6-liter V-6 engine, which delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. As for the fuel economy, the EPA estimates that the Gladiator EcoDiesel 4WD has a combined mpg of 24, with 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel 4WD has a combined mpg of 24, with 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Features

• Open-air driving: The Gladiator's roof panels and body can be removed, allowing for a unique open-air driving experience.
• Infotainment: All Gladiator models have a standard touchscreen. However, only the 8.4 and 7-inch displays support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can upgrade the stereo system with an optional subwoofer.
• Power points: The Gladiator comes with two USBs and a 115-volt outlet. A USB-C port is also available.
• Safety: The NHTSA hasn't fully tested the Gladiator, but the one trim that has been tested has a four-star frontal crash rating. Safety features in the Gladiator include blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors. The Rubicon model also has a front-facing camera to assist with off-roading.

Trim selections

The Gladiator comes in 10 different trim levels: Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, Willys, Overland, 80th Anniversary Edition, Mojave, Rubicon, High Altitude, and Freedom.

4. 2021 Jeep Cherokee—Best for Families

If you need a car for everyday school pick-ups and grocery runs but can also go off-road, the 2021 Cherokee is among the best Jeep SUV models. It's a compact SUV that seats five and is available in nine trims.

While a brand new Cherokee may be at the upper price point, you can get a used version at EchoPark with all the same features for a fraction of the price. Since we check all vehicles for 190 points, including the tires, interior, exterior, brakes, and more, you can rest assured you'll get a quality car at a great price. Plus, there's a 7-day money-back guarantee for your utmost satisfaction.

The Jeep Cherokee's towing and off-road capabilities set it apart from regular compact crossovers. Its 4,500-pound towing capacity and available four-wheel drive make it perfect for outdoor adventures.

While the standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, upgraded engines have two options: a 3.2-liter V6 and a 2.0-liter turbo-four. The turbocharged engine has a torque of 295 lb-ft, which is 56 more than that of the V6.

Looking at the fuel economy, the EPA rates the four-cylinder at 23 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway, with a combined average of 26 mpg. With the 2.4-liter engine, you get 22 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway, with an average of 25 mpg. These two are the most efficient engines, with others faring below 24 mpg.

Features

• Infotainment: What the Jeep Cherokee lacks in fuel efficiency, it makes up for in its infotainment system. The standard Uconnect has 7-inch screens (larger options have an 8.4-inch screen), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. All trims from Latitude Plus up have two USB ports on the center console for rear passengers.
• Safety: The Jeep Cherokee has an overall five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a range of standard and available safety features. These include rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitor, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning.
• Child seat accommodation: The Cherokee is an SUV with ample space for child seats. It easily fits two car seats in the back row with plenty of headroom and legroom to spare. Parents will appreciate the two sets of LATCH connectors for easy installation.
• Cargo space: The Cherokee offers 27.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the rear seats are up. If you fold the seats, you get a maximum of 54.7 cubic feet. Optional features include a hands-free liftgate and a power liftgate.

Trim selections

With nine different trims, the Jeep Cherokee has something for everyone. However, if you're in the market for a Jeep 4x4, only the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk will satisfy your needs.

5. 2023 Jeep Renegade—Best for snowy terrain

If you're in the market for a Jeep vehicle that can handle harsh winter conditions, the Jeep Renegade is a must-consider. The Trailhawk trim has Jeep's Trail Rated badge, all-terrain tires, and four-wheel drive.

It also has a 19-inch water-fording capability and underbody skid plates that protect the vehicle's vital components. With six trim levels to choose from, you're spoiled for choice.

All 2023 Jeep Renegade models have a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Coupled with the 4x4 drive and nine-speed automatic transmission, the Renegade offers excellent handling and traction on snowy roads. It also has a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds.

The EPA rates all Renegade models at 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, except the Trailhawk trim, which gets slightly lower ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Meanwhile, the combined fuel efficiency for all trims is 26 mpg minus the Trailhawk trim, which gets 24 mpg combined.

The Renegade's interior is spacious, and the rear seats fold to create more cargo space. With the seats folded, you get an impressive cargo capacity of 50.8 cubic feet, ideal for hauling equipment or luggage during winter trips.

A slight downside of the 2023 Jeep Renegade is its price point. But if you don't mind an older model, the 2021 Renegade Limited is a good option with its 4x4 drive and unleaded I-4 1.3 L engine.

Features

• Infotainment: The 8.4-inch touchscreen display offers crisp graphics to entertain passengers during winter drives. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SiriusXM satellite radio and integrated navigation system make for a convenient driving experience.
• Safety: The 2023 Renegade received a four-star crash rating from the NHTSA. Its safety features include automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, standard forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
• Hauling capability: The Jeep Renegade can be attached to a factory-installed Trail Tow Package. It can tow up to 2,000 pounds and comes with a Class III receiver hitch.

Trim selections

With multiple trim selections, you won't have trouble finding the best Jeep Renegade model for your needs.

6. 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee—Best SUV for adventurers

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular choice among adventure enthusiasts, with just the right amount of luxury and performance. Since the starting price of $37,330 for a brand-new model can be hefty, you might want to consider the used options available at EchoPark. All our cars are road-tested and pass an extensive safety inspection, so you can buy with confidence knowing the vehicle is in excellent condition.

Speaking of luxury, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a spacious and comfortable interior with heated front seats and a comprehensive infotainment system. The standard engine is a V-6, but you can go for the V-8 if you buy the Limited trim or above.

When it comes to towing capacity, the V-6 models can pull 6,200 pounds, while the V-8 can tow a massive 7,200 pounds. According to the EPA, the most fuel-efficient of all Grand Cherokee 4x4 models is the six-cylinder 3.6-liter engine. It has a combined mpg of 21, an estimated 19 mpg for city driving, and 26 mpg on highways.

Features

• Infotainment: Like all other Jeep vehicles in this guide, the Grand Cherokee also comes with a Uconnect infotainment system. However, the standard screen size is 5.0 inches. As you move up the trims, it can be upgraded to 8.0 inches.
• Safety: The four-wheel-drive models got a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA, while the two-wheel-drive models got four stars. Some safety features include adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking.
• Cargo capacity:The Grand Cherokee boasts a generous amount of cargo space, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

Trim selections

EchoPark's extensive Jeep selection and five-star customer service

If you're in the market for a used Jeep, EchoPark's selection of pre-owned Jeeps (and other vehicles) at competitive prices is hard to beat.

With our rigorous 190-point inspection process, transparent pricing, 7-day money-back guarantee, and comprehensive protection—including extended service contracts and appearance and asset protection—buying a used Jeep has never been easier.

We inspect extensively for points related to road tests, vehicle exterior, brakes, vehicle interior, tires and wheels, underhood, and underbody. All cars are checked for paint chips, dents, tire tread, material holes or stains, metal condition, and more. Our Happiness Guarantee gives you 250 miles or 7 days (whichever comes first) to test the vehicle and decide if you want to keep it.

Visit our website to view the inventory and schedule a test drive today.