What Is the Best Jeep SUV?
New or used, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best Jeeps you can buy. Click here for more details.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- The best Jeep SUV overall: Jeep Grand Cherokee
- The best Jeep SUV to buy used: 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- The best Jeep SUV for families: Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- The best Jeep SUV for off-roading: Jeep Wrangler
- The best Jeep SUV for fuel economy: Jeep Compass
- The best way to shop for Jeep insurance
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With a wide variety of options and consistently luxurious functionality, there’s a version of the perpetually-popular Jeep Grand Cherokee to suit any taste or task.
Arguably the brand that started SUVs as we know them today, the Jeep quickly became synonymous with a vehicle that’s capable of just about anything. The Grand Cherokee is a perennial favorite for its plush interior, abundance of trim levels and options, and great performance.
But it’s not the only Jeep on the trail, as there are currently several different models available. Come along with
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The best Jeep SUV overall: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Starting price: $40,120
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 79/100
With 264,444 units sold in the US in 2021, the Grand Cherokee has been a top seller for many years. First sold in 1993 and showing no signs of slowing down, the Jeep Grand Cherokee wins praises from a wide variety of critics. US News and World Report ranked it number one in midsize SUVs for 2022, while Car and Driver gave it a 9 out of 10 and made it an Editors’ Choice.
What’s so great about it? Newly redesigned for 2022, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a perfect combination of luxury touches, top-notch tech, and rugged functionality. With the choice of a 3.6-liter V6 or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, you can select the engine that best suits your needs.
Want something greener? Plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) powertrains are available on a majority of the trim levels as well.
Speaking of trim levels, no matter what you want your Grand Cherokee to be, there’s a trim level that will help you achieve it. With a generous amount of safety and luxury touches standard at every level, your only problem might be deciding where to stop with the options.
Want 4-wheel drive? Check. A 360-degree exterior camera? Done. Heated and ventilated seats? Easy. Absolutely automated everything? Can do.
Folks who intend to get their Cherokee dirty will want to take a look at the
Trailhawk
trim, which includes an adjustable air suspension that allows for up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance and a disconnecting sway bar that allows for greater traction in rough terrain. It is a Jeep, after all. If there’s a pinch point with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s the sticker price. $40,120 will juuust get you started on the base level Laredo trim. Depending on the powertrain you choose and the trim level you select, you could be looking at upwards of $76,000 for a top trim level with a PHEV powertrain.
But no matter what options or trim level you pick, an impressive mixture of luxury, technology, and vigorous functionality will prove that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best SUVs around.
The best Jeep SUV to buy used: 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Price range: $8,397–$20,593
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 77/100
If you blanched a little bit at the sticker price for a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, we’ve got good news for you—it’s also the best Jeep model to buy used. The 2009, 2011, and 2015 model years are solid choices as well, but the best bet for value and reliability in a used Grand Cherokee will be with the 2010 model year.
This was the last year of the third generation of Grand Cherokees, which offered a posher interior and extra horsepower when compared to rivals. Touches like an improved suspension give it greater off-roading capabilities, although it’s not the best option if you’re looking for extreme no-roads action.
The best Jeep SUV for families: Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Starting price: $43,520
Number of seats: 6 to 7
J.D. Power rating: N/A
Are you sensing a trend? If you love the Grand Cherokee but need a bit more room for cargo, kids, or critters, then the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the one to consider.
We have nothing to back this up, but we suspect the “L” stands for “long”—this particular flavor of Grand Cherokee comes with three rows of seats versus the standard two. With the second-row captain's chairs replaced with bench seats, you can fit seven people, although the third row is best suited for kids and teens.
Depending on if and how you have the seats folded, you’ll have anywhere from 17.2 to 84.6 cubic feet of storage, which is plenty of room for grocery runs and camping trips. Add that to all the other great features of the Grand Cherokee, and you have a Jeep that’s worthy of (and can fit) the whole family.
The best Jeep SUV for off-roading: Jeep Wrangler
Starting price: $31,590
Number of seats: 4 to 5
J.D. Power rating: 80/100
Off-roading is likely the first thing that people think of when they hear the name “Jeep”. Our top pick for getting your wheels dirty is the
Jeep Wrangler
. Underneath the fun retro exterior styling of the 2022 Wrangler lies a world of modern conveniences, from a touchscreen infotainment system to an upgraded eight-speaker stereo. But don’t be mistaken—the Wrangler was born to get rough, and will definitely be more at home off the pavement than on.
The absolute best option for off-road enthusiasts will be the
Wrangler Rubicon
, which boasts a ground clearance of 13 inches and impressive approach and departure angles of 47 and 40 degrees, respectively. Add those stats to other available features like skid plates, heavy-duty shocks, and 35-inch all-terrain tires, and you have a Jeep that just begs to go play outside. The best Jeep SUV for fuel economy: Jeep Compass
Starting price: $28,380
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 78/100
It goes without saying that the best fuel economy in a Jeep will be with one of their hybrid models, but let’s be real—there are a lot of us out there that can’t swing the increased upfront costs associated with a hybrid Jeep powertrain.
If you’re looking to stay with a standard internal combustion engine but want a Jeep with the best fuel economy, then the
Jeep Compass
will fit that bill nicely. This compact crossover is available in eight trim levels and buyers have the option of two or four-wheel drive.The Compass gets an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 city/22 highway/30 combined. Here’s how it stacks up to the other models mentioned here in terms of fuel economy:
- 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 22 city/19 highway/26 combined mpg
- 2022 Jeep Wrangler: 20 city/18 highway/23 combined mpg
- 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 21 city/18 highway/25 combined mpg
Unless you upgrade to a hybrid, the Compass is the best option out there if you’re concerned with fuel economy (and who isn’t). Plus, it comes with all the other features you’d expect in a Jeep.
The best way to shop for Jeep insurance
While it’s super fun to look through your best choices when it comes to Jeeps, it’s decidedly less exciting to sort through all the options for Jeep insurance. Fortunately, the
automotive super app
Jerry is happy to do the legwork for you! All you need to do is download the top-rated app, enter a small bit of information, and let
Jerry
do the rest. Within seconds, Jerry will weed through the options from more than 55 top insurance providers to find the best possible policies to suit your needs. Sign-up can be done through the app—no phone calls needed. The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on their car insurance, which is cash that you can put towards accessories for your beloved new Jeep.
“You must get this app! It’s my first time getting my own insurance, so I called a few companies myself. Their rates priced me around $600/month. I usedJerryand my rates went down to $250/month. I’m so happy!” —Melissa C.
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