5 Best Jeep Models: Ranking the Legendary SUVs You Should Know

Jeep is more than just a brand. It is a name that has become synonymous with the word “SUV.” Today, it represents an entire class of vehicles capable of going where the asphalt ends. Over more than 80 years, the brand has evolved from a military utility vehicle into a technological flagship featuring hybrid powertrains. But there are five models without which the history of Jeep would be impossible to imagine. Some created the segment, while others transformed it. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Jeep Wrangler (JL) — an icon that never gets old

Wrangler is the starting point. If you ask a random passerby what a Jeep looks like, they will most likely picture a Wrangler: boxy, with round headlights and seven vertical grille slots.

The current JL generation is evolution without betrayal. The body-on-frame construction remains. The solid axles remain. But something that was previously missing has appeared: everyday comfort.

What makes the Wrangler unique:

1. A construction kit for adults. The roof can be removed (hard or soft — your choice), the doors come off, and the windshield folds down. No other mass-produced vehicle offers anything quite like it.
2. The Rubicon version is the benchmark for off-road capability. Front and rear differential locks, a disconnecting anti-roll bar, and low-range gearing. These are not marketing gimmicks — they are real tools.
3. The 4xe hybrid changed the rules. 375 hp, 637 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, and up to 52 km of all-electric driving. The Wrangler has become not only more capable off-road, but faster as well.

The Wrangler does not try to be comfortable for everyone. It stays true to itself — and that is exactly why people buy it.

Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) — premium comfort that is not afraid of mud

The Grand Cherokee has always lived two lives. One is that of a luxurious SUV for the city. The other is that of a serious off-road vehicle. The fifth generation, known by the WL designation, has brought this balance close to perfection.

What has changed:

1. STLA Large platform. More aluminium, more high-strength steel, and a five-star safety rating.
2. Quadra-Lift air suspension. Ground clearance changes from 168 mm in its lowest position to a “standard” 215 mm and higher. The vehicle lowers itself for parking and rises when crossing water.
3. Three trim levels: Limited, Overland, Summit Reserve. The top version is available only with the extended wheelbase and three rows of seats.
4. Quadra-Drive II. An all-wheel-drive system with active differentials capable of sending up to 100% of the power to a single wheel.

Most importantly, the Grand Cherokee remains one of the few modern SUVs to retain low-range gearing. This makes it truly versatile — from parking outside the office to descending toward a mountain river.

Jeep Gladiator (JT) — the pickup that was not supposed to exist

Fans had been asking Jeep for a pickup for decades. The brand was in no hurry. When the Gladiator finally arrived, it became clear that it was not simply a Wrangler with a cargo bed. It represented a philosophy of its own.

Facts that speak for themselves:

1. The world’s only mass-produced pickup with a removable roof. The panels above the front seats can be removed, as can the rear section of the roof. The doors come off as well. It is a Wrangler in pickup form.
2. Wrangler Unlimited platform. Wheelbase — 3,488 mm, length — 5,591 mm. The second row is spacious, with plenty of room for rear passengers.
3. Rubicon means business. Off-road tyres, reinforced axles, differential locks. The Gladiator was designed for expeditions, not for carrying gardening supplies.
4. Payload and towing capacity. 693 kg in the bed and 2,721 kg on a trailer. Ideal figures for overlanding.

Its weak point is the naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6, which can sometimes feel sluggish, especially when fully loaded. But low-end torque matters more off-road, and here it gets the job done. The Gladiator is a niche product. But if you need a pickup capable of going where none of its competitors can, there are simply no alternatives.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer — the return of the king of luxury

The Wagoneer name disappeared for decades. When Jeep brought it back, it became clear that the brand was aiming for the top league. The Grand Wagoneer is not just a large SUV. It is a “mansion on wheels” designed to compete with the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

What is inside:

1. Hurricane engines. The twin-turbocharged inline-six produces 420 hp and 635 Nm in the base version.
2. REEV hybrid (2026). A 92 kWh battery, a Pentastar V6 petrol engine acting as a generator, and a combined output of 647 hp and 840 Nm. Total driving range exceeds 805 km.
3. The interior is a story of its own. Leather, wood, a McIntosh audio system, and numerous screens. At the same time, it retains the Quadra-Drive II all-wheel-drive system and the ability to ford water.
4. Updated design. An illuminated grille, slim headlights, and a Jeep logo replacing the Wagoneer lettering.

The Grand Wagoneer is a Jeep that does not need to justify itself. It simply exists. And that is enough.

Jeep Cherokee (XJ) — the classic that changed the industry

The Cherokee XJ wa