101987-1995 YJ Jeep

Sometimes criticized for its square headlights, the Wrangler YJ is extremely recognizable and a unique piece of Jeep’s history. Along with its off-road capabilities characteristic to the brand, this model was also designed to appeal to more casual, everyday drivers. This was done by lowering the ground clearance from the previous models and improving the comfort and experience in the cabin. The initial model, produced until 1991, featured a 2.5L or a 4.2L AMC engines. The more powerful version produced 112 horsepower. However, the YJ was updated to feature a more powerful 4.0L 6-cylinder generating 180 horsepower. Back then, this was a very capable Jeep, and so unique that we had to include it in this list.

92006-2010 Jeep HEMI Commander

One of the less popular jeeps, the Commander was brought to life to give large off-roaders such as the Land Rover Discovery a run for their money. It’s a huge, blocky, SUV that performs equally well on the tarmac and off it.

The commander was the first Jeep to provide the capability of comfortably seating seven, and was quick to impress with its power, featuring a large, 322 hp 5.7L HEMI V8 that launched it to 60 in some 7 seconds despite a curb weight of almost 5200 lbs. Today, the Commander is a very attractive choice for a used SUV, as it offers immense spaciousness and utility, priced far below the competition.

82007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK

When it was unveiled at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the 2007 Wrangler Unlimited JK was the only four-door convertible in production. Inside was a 3.8L V6 producing 205 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, which was a welcomed improvement over the old 4-cylinder. Naturally, the Wrangler was instantly massively adopted as the Jeep of choice for both off-roading and road use. Little could compete with the four-door Wrangler. The extra set of doors now also appealed to families and earned it an entrance into a new segment, yet it was perhaps the most off-road capable car out there.

71955 To 1983 JEEP CJ-5

The CJ-5 is definitely one of the cars we can thank for what Jeep is today. During its almost 30 years of reign, the car cemented the notion of Jeep as a personal off-road car in the hearts of consumers worldwide. The CJ-5 was THE “Jeep,” and its design was so memorable and beloved that it helped the company forever secure it as its trademark feature. From the 1955 version to the 80s, the car survived multiple engine revisions to make it more capable off-road. This, in turn, helped shape the notion of Jeep as a performance car today.

61976-1986 Jeep CJ-7

The CJ-7 took everything that made the longstanding favorite CJ-5 so popular and made it better. This includes a more optimized drivetrain, a longer wheelbase, and a more comfortable cabin. However, it still retained the rugged appearance and trademark Jeep durability, adventurous soft-top that made Jeeps the popular off-roaders they are today. Notably, the CJ-7 also had a rework called the Scrambler, which featured an even longer (103,5″) wheelbase and an ample rear cargo box like this kia optima nj also has. Selling over 350,000 units, the beloved CJ-7 is another classic that definitely deserved a spot among the best Jeeps ever produced.