8 New and Used Wranglers Perfect for All Kinds of Off-Roading

Maybe you’ve been itching to go off-road; take your hiking boots, a duffel bag, and a few snacks to tide you over the weekend. You want to become one with mother nature, but you need a vehicle to get you out of the concrete jungle and into the less-traveled domains of the great wilderness. Well, you’re in luck because there is a perfect vehicle to help get you there if you’ve been looking through new or used off-road vehicle sales for something suited for wild weekend adventures. Enter the Jeep Wrangler: the archetype for what an off-road vehicle needs to be for all off-road antics, from fording and trekking to climbing and towing and everything else in between.

The Jeep Wrangler has built a name for itself as the go-to off-road machine to handle anything you could possibly throw at it that isn’t locked down, rooted down, bolted down, or firmly fixed to the surface of the Earth. However, there’s one problem: which Wrangler do you go with? We’re here to help you find the perfect Wrangler, whether you’re looking for a brand new model year or something a little older to quench your thirst for off-road adventure. Check out the list below for the different types of Wranglers perfectly suited for different types of off-roading and how you can get the most for your money no matter which one you go with.

#8: 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport

Okay, so we all know that the 2014 Jeep Wrangler is a fairly old model from the JK generation of Wranglers. You probably also know that the Sport trim is the most bare-bones trim available for the Wrangler. So why exactly is this bare-bones, older model of the Wrangler on the list? Well, if you were looking for the most entry-level option when it comes to off-road vehicle sales, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport is that option. Yes, it’s bare-bones, and yes, it’s an older model, but getting it used means you’re paying just a fraction of the cost if it were new. And if you’re completely new to all things off-road oriented, the Sport is a base trim that allows you to dip your toe into the off-road lifestyle without worrying about a lot of the other ins and outs associated with the Wrangler.

#7: 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Let’s say that you know a thing or two (or three) about off-road culture. You want a Jeep Wrangler that can tackle a wide number of different environments, trails, hill climbs, and rocky terrain. However, you have a major issue: your budget won’t allow you to buy something brand new. There’s a solution for you in the form of a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It is highly affordable, readily available, and it comes with all of the off-road equipment you need for the most challenging tasks, such as the Rock-Trac full-time 4×4 system featuring Tru-Lok front and rear locking differentials, Dana 44 front axle, and an electronically engaged front sway bar disconnect. The 2015 Wrangler Rubicon comes with an infotainment suite featuring a touchscreen, Bluetooth support, and navigation features, but it lacks the more up-to-date Uconnect functionality you’ll find in newer model years, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Of course, there’s going to be some give-and-take when it comes to buying an older model year Wrangler, especially if you’re working on a tight budget.

#6: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Chief

The 2017 model year was the final generational model year outing for the Wrangler JK before it was redesigned from the ground up for the JL generation. Even though the JK generation received a lot of criticisms for its lack of features, rough ride, unwieldy performance, and uncomfortable interior, there were still some big highlights from this generation, especially when it came to the special editions. If you can find a used 2017 Jeep Wrangler, you can grab one used for super cheap.

However, if you can find a Jeep Wrangler Chief, you not only get the benefit of a major price markdown for it being an older, used model year, but you get all of the benefits that come with the Wrangler Chief, namely the black-leather trimmed seats, the 32-inch BF Goodrich M/T tires, and a high-end surround sound system. If you can find a Wrangler Chief that’s certified pre-owned, that makes things even better because you get a great luxury-themed Wrangler with limited warranty coverage, making it an excellent pick for someone who wanted an affordable, classy iteration of the Wrangler with guaranteed post-purchase support.

#5: 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited MOAB

The Jeep Wrangler JL generation got underway with the new 2018 model year outing. This brought all newly redesigned features for the Wrangler from top to bottom. You may have to be a little cautious when looking for used models of 2018 Jeep Wranglers because some JK models were made available under that model year, too, so you will need to make sure you’re looking at the redesigned JL version with the improved 8.4-inch Uconnect HD touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support instead of the JK version1.

The Wrangler Unlimited MOAB is worth a look if you’re in need of something larger than the standard Wrangler and want the four-door option, along with some premium features, such as the Alpine audio system and a suite of passive and active safety features such as ParkSense and Blind-Spot Monitoring. With an aggressive look, Selec-Trac functionality, and limited slip differentials, you get a fully functional Wrangler with increased size, luxury, and style if you opt for the 2018 Wrangler Unlimited MOAB.

#4: 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S

Keeping in tune with enthusiasts looking to get their hands on an off-road SUV with a more spacious interior, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S is a fine option, especially if you’re not willing to go beyond a certain limit with your budget. The Sport S is a nice compromise, offering you just a bit more than what you would get with the Sport trim, including OWL all-terrain tires, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. The real highlight for 2020, however, is that it introduced the EcoDiesel for the Wrangler Unlimited. If you want improved fuel economy and more torque for traveling around hilly or high-altitude places without struggling, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S is a good way to go. It’s a nice adventure vehicle for those who occasionally like to take an off-road trip or two.

#3: 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Altitude

Let’s say you sometimes hit the hills infrequently but do a lot of driving in the city. You want a Jeep Wrangler that can hit up dirt trails, forested campsites, and some remote desert locations, but you also need something that you can maneuver around city blocks more often than not. The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Altitude is the perfect compromise. This model features a more urban look with its glossy black exterior accents, black aluminum 18-inch wheels, and leather interior. It’s outfitted with the luxury interior and stylish exterior that makes it fun to drive in the city, but with enough grit and rugged gusto to handle off-road adventures thanks to the Selec-Trac III 4×4 system and 2-speed active transfer case.

#2: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was the market’s first introduction to an electric hybrid outing of the popular Jeep Wrangler brand. Combining the fuel-saving technology of battery-powered propulsion with the reliable performance and commanding dependability of a dual-overhead camshaft direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. Designed to ford, rock climb, and plow through dirt, snow, and sand, the Wrangler 4xe doesn’t make any compromises in the off-road department while also giving drivers plenty to drool over in the fuel-saving department. This iteration of the Wrangler also offers instantaneous access to high-end torque output thanks to the electric motor. While it’s a bit pricier than most other iterations of the Wrangler, if you’re browsing through off-road vehicle sales, it’s still a great compromise for those who want a plug-in hybrid to save at the pump and be a little more eco-conscious both on and off the road.

#1: 2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

The epitome of off-road dominance, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 represents everything off-road enthusiasts could want and love out of a rugged SUV. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 comes jam-packed with cool and crazy features, headlined by the worship-worthy 6.4-liter Hemi V8, which delivers 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque—it’s powered to be the perfect rock-crawling machine. With electronic sway bar disconnect, FOX aluminum-bodied 2-inch diameter shock absorbers, and bead-lock capable 17-inch wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires, the Rubicon 392 has it all. It’s a menacing, powerful, rugged piece of machinery designed to fulfill the dreams of just about any hardcore off-road enthusiast.