From skydiving and surfing to hiking a mountain or just exploring a new part of the country, adventure comes in many forms. If your idea of a good weekend involves the pursuit of some heart-pumping action—or simply exploring a beach or hiking trail—it’s important to find a vehicle that can keep up with your active lifestyle. While it can often be a little tricky to track down a partner that can match your appetite for adventure, that’s not the case when it comes to the Jeep lineup.
Take the Jeep Gladiator, for example: while it might be a relatively new addition to the Jeep lineup, the Gladiator is already earning a name for itself among adrenaline junkies. This pickup was named Best Vehicle for Adventure two years in a row by Autotrader, which singled out the Gladiator’s rugged capability and multiple driveline options. A visit to your local used Jeep dealership could also turn up a Jeep Wagoneer, which offers a best-in-class towing capacity of 10,000 lbs, or a Grand Cherokee that provides all the passenger and cargo room you need for a road trip.
When picking an adventure-ready model, it really all comes down to what a driver is looking for, but we certainly have a few thoughts on the subject. Let’s take a closer look at each of these three Jeep models and see which one best caters to your sense of adventure…
Jeep Gladiator – The Best Choice for Off-Roading
While the legendary Jeep Wrangler might have basically invented the modern off-road SUV segment, we’re going to go with more of a dark horse candidate when picking the most off-road-ready Jeep. We’re certainly not trying to besmirch the good name of the Wrangler, but the Gladiator’s longer wheelbase delivers some noticeable benefits to handling and ride comfort that simply make it a more practical choice as a daily driver.
Reintroduced in 2019, the Gladiator pickup is actually a continuation of the original Gladiator that was discontinued in 1988. This rugged midsize pickup combines Jeep’s reputation for off-road prowess with plenty of cargo room and a long list of available trims. Drivers won’t just get access to a 60.3-inch cargo box with 35.5 cu.ft. of space; they’ll also be able to select from two brawny engines and three of Jeep’s most performance-focused 4×4 systems.
The Gladiator’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel maxes out the torque at 442 lb-ft, not to mention a 22 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway fuel economy rating that’ll have you spending less time searching for a gas station and more time hunting down your next adventure. If you have a trailer, camper, or other weighty equipment along for the ride, the Gladiator’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is the way to go; with 7,700 lbs of towing capacity, this Gladiator offers best-in-class pulling power and is only surpassed in the Jeep lineup by the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
An electronic disconnecting sway bar improves off-road articulation, and the exclusive Fox front hydraulic jounce bumper keeps you from bottoming out when catching a little air or hitting a particularly nasty bump in the road. Still, it’s the raft of 4×4 systems that really deserve all the headlines; standard on most models, Jeep’s Command-Trac system is designed with a handy shift-on-the-fly feature that gives drivers the chance to kick the Gladiator into 4WD at speeds as high as 55 mph. A 50/50 power split between the front and rear axles provides consistent traction, while a 2.72:1 gear ratio maximizes torque when you’re in 4WD Low.
Ever the overachiever, the Gladiator’s Rubicon trim sees the Command-Trac system replaced with Jeep’s Rock-Trac 4×4 system. Throw it into 4WD Low, and the Rock-Trac’s part-time transfer case gives the Rubicon a 4:1 gear ratio that’s up for even the most challenging off-road applications. A 73:1 crawl ratio will help you ascend steep rock faces without breaking a sweat, while electronic locking differentials guarantee that all that torque you’re putting down is making its way to the ground.
Finally, there’s Selec-Trac. Available on the Gladiator’s Overland and Altitude trims, the full-time Select-Trac system balances off-road performance with efficiency and convenience to give drivers the best of both worlds. Are you headed off-road or facing some tough road conditions like snow, ice, or mud? This system can snap into 4Hi mode on the fly to drastically improve stability and traction. If the road is clear, 2Hi mode is the way to go, improving the Gladiator’s fuel economy to deliver 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. This sort of flexibility makes the Jeep Gladiator a well-rounded choice that’s just at home tearing through off-road terrain as it is blazing a path to the supermarket.
Jeep Grand Cherokee – The Best Choice for Road Trips
From national parks and seaside destinations to amusement parks and odd roadside attractions, a good road trip can inspire plenty of adventure. While it’s not hard to enjoy yourself when you’re on your way to a day filled with roller coasters, waves, or scenic vistas, choosing the right vehicle for your next family road trip can make all the difference when you’re trying to maintain family harmony. Opting for too small of a ride (or one that’s not packed with plenty of distractions for the kids) can result in a cranky crew, whereas the right vehicle will have everyone arriving fresh and ready to take on whatever the day might hold.
With seating for seven and a cutting-edge cabin that integrates the latest in safety, comfort, and convenience features, the Grand Cherokee is the perfect partner for your next road trip. While the fourth-generation model (2011-2020) was pretty advanced for its time—and notable for its critically acclaimed Uconnect infotainment system—some drivers might find the tech a little dated when compared to newer models. The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee (2021-present) replaces its predecessor’s standard 5.0-inch display with a standard 8.4-inch or optional 10.1-inch screen that’ll give you easy access to all your settings and favorite apps.
If you’re trying to max out your screen time, you can also add a digital gauge cluster, a 10-inch heads-up display, and a unique 10.3-inch display intended solely for the front-seat passenger. Massaging front seats will keep you feeling limber on long rides, while a rear-seat-view camera allows parents to keep an eye on the kids without having to crane their necks. Throw in a wireless device charger, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, and a surround-view 360-degree camera for tricky parking spots, and you might not even want to leave the cabin once you reach your destination.
The Grand Cherokee is also endlessly customizable. Are you looking for a family SUV that’ll keep you on budget? The base Laredo represents an affordable option that still does the badge proud with its fair share of Jeep grit. The Trailhawk opens the door to a little off-road fun, with a disconnecting sway bar and adjustable air suspension that gives you up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance. Those seeking a truly opulent Jeep experience can keep an eye out for the Overland and Summit trims, which introduce a full complement of luxury features, including a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon (fourth-generation) or 19-speaker McIntosh (fifth-generation) premium amplified surround sound system.
But a full suite of tech and entertainment features isn’t the only reason to give the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee a closer look; 2021 also saw Jeep introduce a new, even larger version of this already spacious midsize SUV in the form of the Grand Cherokee L. Measuring in more than 11 inches longer than the Grand Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee L makes some noticeable improvements in terms of cargo room and passenger comfort. The Grand Cherokee L offers an extra 15 cu.ft. of cargo room, besting the Grand Cherokee’s 70.8 cu.ft. by a considerable margin. That could make all the difference if you’re trying to squeeze one more suitcase or piece of outdoor gear into the rear cargo area, making the Grand Cherokee L the MVP of any road trip. Second-row passengers will also enjoy a little extra space with more head- and legroom than the Grand Cherokee.
Jeep Wagoneer – The Best Choice for Transporting
If your idea of adventure involves camping, boating, or otherwise exploring the great outdoors, the Jeep Wagoneer offers a number of benefits. Both the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer eclipse the rest of the Jeep lineup in towing capacity, with these full-size SUVs allowing drivers to bring along a fishing boat, camper, or a full fleet of powersports equipment like ATVs, snowmobiles, and jet skis.
Both the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are built on the same chassis as the Ram 1500, with Jeep leveraging the award-winning truck’s sturdy body-on-frame construction to turn this luxurious SUV into a full-on towing machine. That said, the Wagoneer does have a slight edge over the Grand Wagoneer with a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. That might only be 150 lbs more than the Grand Wagoneer, but it’s a significant upgrade over Jeep models like the Gladiator (7,650 lbs), Grand Cherokee (7,200 lbs), and Cherokee (4,500 lbs).
This sort of performance is made possible by the Wagoneer’s potent powertrains. Jeep has made a few changes under the hood between different years of the fourth-generation Wagoneer, but generally speaking, those shopping the used market will have two options to choose from. The 2022 model is limited to a sole 5.7-liter V8 paired with a 48-volt hybrid system that produces 392 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque, but those opting for the 2023 version can choose between that V8 and Jeep’s new 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo V6.
The Hurricane improves both the horsepower and torque of the V8, providing 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque. No matter which model you choose you’ll enjoy the same 10,000-lb max towing capacity, as well as a generous arsenal of advanced towing equipment. From an integrated trailer brake controller (which allows you to activate your trailer’s electric brakes right from the cabin) to Jeep’s ParkView rear backup camera (which makes connecting even the trickiest trailer a breeze), the Wagoneer is designed to ensure towing success.
A Jeep Is Ideal for Any Adventure
If you’re in the market for a ready-made adventure vehicle, few lineups can compare to Jeep. From the iconic Wrangler and family-friendly models like the Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee to enticing new hybrid options like the Wrangler 4xe, Jeep has a model that’s sure to satisfy your need for adventure. Best-in-class towing capacity gives Gladiator drivers all the muscle they need to haul mission-critical equipment, but Jeep’s heavy-duty 4×4 systems deserve a lot of the credit for ensuring off-road success with Command-Trac, Rock-Trac, and Selec-Trac providing varying levels of comfort and capability.
Whether you’re into exploring off-the-grid destinations, clawing through sand and mud, or hitting the water for a full weekend of boating, Jeep has you covered. With the brand’s long history of off-road performance and innovation, it’s little wonder why the Jeep name is synonymous with four-wheel fun.
