If you are interested in a used Jeep, the good news is that there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from—the bad news is that this can become overwhelming with too many choices available. By taking a moment to get a sense of the used Jeeps for sale out there, you can start to narrow down your options and start to decide what you want. Most of these are SUVs since that has really become the Jeep mainstay over the past couple decades.
For the sake of simplicity, I’m not going to get into too many specific years with these models. That’s a whole separate level of research that you should do once you get a feel for which model really speaks to you. For now, we’re going to start off easy and just consider the best-used Jeeps for sale in general, with a few notes on different generations to consider. Once you look these over, then you can figure out one or two that seem like the right fit and start looking at specific years and the options that were available on them.
The Jeep Liberty
This compact SUV replaced the older Jeep Cherokee and first went into production in 2002, ending its run in 2012. That means you have a good ten years of different models to look for and choose from with these used Jeeps for sale. Even though its run has ended, these were solid SUVs that were ideal for smaller families or anyone who wants a compact design with SUV style and functionality. Visually, however, this model is definitely a Jeep and stands out among a lot of other SUVs that really lack much identity.
One thing to consider with the Liberty is that it had two generations: one from 2002 to 2007 and one from 2008 to 2012. The second-generation models have a boxier design that is more distinctly “Jeep-like” and had more powerful engines.
The Jeep Cherokee
Where the Jeep Liberty ended, the updated Jeep Cherokee took over in 2013 and has been in production ever since. This is also a compact SUV that has been very popular—so these are among the most common used Jeeps for sale that you will find. There have been quite a few different engines and powertrains available on the Cherokee, so you have a lot to choose from as you look at different used models.
The used Jeep Cherokees for sale that you find will all be from the same generation. The Cherokee got a facelift and some updates in its 2019 model, so keep that in mind as you look at newer used models.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee
This is arguably the quintessential Jeep SUV and has been in production since the early 1990s. That means you will see a lot of Grand Cherokees when you look at different used Jeeps for sale, with many different choices and options available on them. These are mid-size SUVs, so you get more interior cargo space and room for passengers compared to the Liberty or Cherokee.
There have been four generations of Grand Cherokee so far: the first generation was from 1993 to 1998, the second generation from 1999 to 2004, the third generation was 2005 to 2012, and the fourth generation started in 2013 and is still in production. As you would expect, there are some significant differences between these generations, with huge improvements and much more modern sophistication if you compare a model from the 90s to something from 2014. One interesting note: HEMI V8 engines have been available since 2005 and offer much more horsepower and torque, so keep an eye out for used Jeeps for sale with those engines.
The Jeep Compass
This is a compact crossover SUV introduced in 2007 alongside the Jeep Patriot, and it has been quite popular over the years. You will often find the compass among used Jeeps for sale out there, but the year on these models is quite important. For the first few years of its production, the Compass lacked the “Trail Rated” badge and was designed primarily for city use on paved roads. Starting in 2011, Compass models were Trail Rated—in 2011 the Compass also received a general facelift with an available off-road package.
A second-generation for the Jeep Compass started in 2018, which included a number of upgrades and more engine options. So if you are looking at newer used Jeeps for sale, then a 2018 Compass is a great one to consider.
The Jeep Patriot
The Jeep Patriot was introduced in 2007 alongside the Compass and is also a compact crossover SUV. While stylistically pretty similar to the Compass, what sets the Patriot apart is that it was only produced with four-wheel drive. Its basic system was a front-wheel drive that could automatically shift power to the rear wheels when there was a loss of traction, with an available option that provided even better control. In other words: the Patriot was clearly designed for off-roading, making it a great choice among used Jeeps for sale.
In 2011, the Patriot got a facelift, so models starting that year look a bit different, with a more distinct appearance to set it apart from the Compass. Additional trim levels and options were also introduced in that year, so later models include more features and overall sophistication than the first few years of production. The Patriot was discontinued in 2017, replaced by the second-generation Compass.
The Jeep Renegade
When it was introduced in 2014, many people thought the Jeep Renegade was set to replace the Compass or Patriot. Instead, the Patriot ended its run and was effectively replaced by the second-generation Compass in 2017, and the Renegade was allowed to become its own thing. The Renegade is a sub-compact SUV, so it is a great choice if you are interested in a smaller option that you can load up and take onto a trail. It has been quite popular, so you will find a lot of them when you look at used Jeeps for sale.
One thing of note: there have been both Fiat and Chrysler engines available for the Renegade since its production began. The Chrysler engines are typically more powerful, offering better horsepower and torque, so keep an eye out for those when you look at different models.
The Jeep Wrangler
Finally, we come to the Jeep Wrangler—not an SUV, but a spiritual successor to the original military Jeeps that started it all. The Wrangler has been in production since the mid-1980s and has gone through a lot of different looks and generations in that time. That means there are a lot of Wranglers out there that you’ll find when you look at used Jeeps for sale. Wrangler generations are indicated by letters, rather than numbers: the YJ was made from 1986 to 1995, the TJ from 1996 to 2006, the JK from 2006 to 2018, and the current generation is the JL.
As you look at used Jeep Wranglers for sale, you’ll notice YJ models are set apart from later ones by their iconic rectangular headlamps. Wranglers from the TJ model on have round headlamps similar in style to those found on classic Jeep vehicles. The more recent used Jeep Wranglers you find will typically be from the JK generation, which built on the “Unlimited” model introduced in the TJ generation, which has four doors instead of two and a longer wheelbase. Wranglers are classic trail warriors that are designed for going off-road and noted for their open design.
Now that you have a sense of what’s out there, you can look at different used Jeeps for sale and narrow down the vast sea of options to just those models you are interested in. Happy hunting!
