On top of offering safety and affordability on most occasions, Jeep and its vehicles are extremely beneficial due to the features they have. One of the most favourable positives the brand has is its ability to rise above from even the most inconvenient weather condition. While the towering size of each vehicle surely plays a vital role behind the existence of that trait, another trait that makes most vehicles resilient is the 4 wheel drive capabilities they offer to a user.
While most vehicles that Jeep has created since its discovery are four wheel drive vehicles, also known as 4×4 vehicles, quite a few of their models don’t quite have what it takes to meet that criteria.
In this article, in addition to revealing all the models of Jeep that are 4-wheel drive vehicles, we will reveal to you the models that are on the other end of the spectrum. We will also be adding a segment that will unveil all the pros and cons that 4×4 Jeep vehicles offer and the kind of audience it caters to. On top of covering the segments mentioned in the latter statement, we will also unveil how different 4 wheel drive Jeep vehicles are in contrast to 2-wheel drive vehicles, so make sure to hold onto your seats throughout the article, especially if you’re planning to invest in one of the renowned Jeep models soon.
Contents
What Does 4×4 Even Mean?
At the end of the day, most Jeep enthusiasts have to pick between a 2WD SUV or a 4WD SUV.
Also known as 4×4, a 4WD vehicle is an automobile that is powered by all 4 of its wheels. On the other hand, a 2WD is a machine that is often supported by only 2 wheels in the front.
Most sedans and saloons are often known as 2WD vehicles. Since they often have a low centre of gravity and have loads of flexibility, manufacturers of sedans often don’t feel the need to make them 4WD cars.
On the contrary, 4WD vehicles, also known as 4×4 cars, are often massive in size, and need wheels that are just as enormous to support every physical trait of the model. They tend to be more resilient, more travel-friendly, and offer more safety to the passengers when being driven in adverse weather conditions in contrast to their opponent.
Are All Jeep Wranglers 4×4?
Despite having shortcomings, Jeep is currently the best brand that offers 4WD SUVs amongst its peers. The off-road abilities that each vehicle has in addition to their towering frame definitely makes Jeep superior amongst the rest.
While the Jeep Grand Cherokee is considered to be the fan favourite and the best selling SUVs Jeep makes, the Jeep Wrangler is often the top dog when it comes to reliability and versatility.
On top of having compelling visuals and being a convenient vehicle option for beginners, the Jeep Wrangler is also a 4×4 vehicle. Every model it has manufactured so far is a 4WD vehicle, making the Jeep Wrangler invincible amongst the rest of the cast.
In conclusion, yes, all Jeep Wranglers are 4×4 vehicles. The series has had the cutting edge over the rest of the models as well as its competitors for over 3 decades now, and has yet to show signs of hanging up the gloves.
Additionally, if you happen to be the owner of a Jeep Wrangler but haven’t yet utilised its four-wheel drive mode, make sure to check out this article, which has an easy guide on every step a newbie has to follow to get access to their Jeep’s 4WD mode!
Jeep Models That Are 4×4
Amongst the models that Jeep has produced so far, there are only about 3 models that come in 4WD mode. While the leader of the crew is most definitely the Jeep Wrangler, the dominant series is always accompanied by The Grand Cherokee and The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
The previously mentioned models only come in 4WD, which could be a good purchase for those that often go on road-trips and ideal for those that have just learned how to drive and seeking options that offer durability as well as safety.
Additionally, unless you happen to be the owner of a model that was manufactured in the 90s, switching to 4WD should be extremely easy since it is always in 4WD mode. However, if you happen to have one of the manual vehicles, make sure to go through this guide to take your knowledge to the next level!
The Flipside: All The Jeep Models That Aren’t 4×4
Despite being one of the best brands that offers top notch off-road SUVs, Jeep also has a list of models that caters to a different demographic and isn’t as convenient to use on rough surfaces.
As of 2023, 4 prominent models have yet to become members of the 4WD Club. Besides the Jeep Renegade, the Jeep Patriot, Compass, and Cherokee are only available in 2WD. Although they’re not extremely beneficial during road trips, these models are great for everyday use and are more luxurious than the 4×4 models.
Overview of 4×4 and 2WD Jeep Models
Since more is hardly ever enough, here’s another segment that contains a list of all the models of Jeep that are 4×4 vehicles alongside the installations that are 2WD vehicles. We hope skimming through it resolves all the queries that you have still.
Jeep Model Name | 4×4 (4WD) | 2WD (2 Wheel Drive) |
Jeep Grand Cherokee | Yes | Yes |
Jeep Wrangler | Yes | Yes |
Jeep Patriot | No | Yes |
Jeep Compass | No | Yes |
Jeep Cherokee | No | Yes |
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited | Yes | Yes |
Jeep Renegade | No | Yes |
The Pros and Cons of 4×4 Jeep Wranglers: A Summary
When push comes to shove, Jeep is the ultimate brand that has 4WD SUVs. Although some aspects might seem rather inconvenient for users to deal with, 4×4 Jeep models can be extremely advantageous in multiple scenarios and excellent vehicles to invest in for the long term.
Furthermore, now that you’ve acquired knowledge about the vehicles that contain that prominent feature, and are also aware of the models that don’t, here is a list of pros and cons that the 4WD options have in contrast to their counterpart.
The Advantages of Having Jeep’s 4×4 SUVs
Although there are various 2WD models of Jeep that look easy on the eyes, and are definitely lighter than the other versions, resorting to a 4WD variant can also be extremely beneficial due to various reasons.
Firstly, since they are obviously bigger, they tend to provide more ground to the designated driver, which often comes in handy during unfavourable scenarios. Having a higher ground often gives the operator more room to monitor the environment, which often prevents them from accidents and other unfortunate events.
Furthemore, 4WD Jeep models are also more spacious in contrast to the rest of the variations. This feature is a great one to look out for, especially if you’re a family man and go on trips with your crew on a daily basis. It has plenty of room for packing essentials and has enough room for the extras as well. Due to its spaciousness, the experience that 4WD offers is full of comfort and easement.
Additionally, due to using all four wheels instead of two of them, driving 4WD Jeep vehicles is extremely easy over rough surfaces and under bad weather conditions. The wheels are also extremely durable and tend to drive over challenging obstacles without sustaining any damage.
The Drawbacks of 4WD Jeep Vehicles
Every light has its shadow, and unfortunately, 4×4 vehicles are no exception. Jeep models are great for everyday use, and offer the best possible off-road experience, making them a fan favourite amongst adventurers. However, a 4×4 variant could be disadvantageous due to multiple reasons.
Despite being resilient and more powerful than most types of vehicles, a 4WD Jeep, due to its size, is extremely expensive to maintain. Since it uses all four of its wheels, a Jeep Wrangler or even a Grand Cherokee burns more fuel than an average 2WD SUV.
Additionally, due to being massive in size, every 4WD vehicle is rather heavy, which could be great when driving over slopes, but an inconvenience if the SUV breaks down in the middle of a journey.
All in all, whether you’re trying to continue a family tradition or just have unconditional love for Jeep, investing in a 4WD variant of theirs could be an excellent decision to make if you’re always driving on challenging obstacles and in snow and rain. However, if you’re trying to save some money and looking for a partner that will support your 9 to 5 gig, investing in one of their 2WD options should definitely be taken into consideration.
Bottom Line
While all installations that Jeep has created since its existence are extremely affordable on almost every occasion, bring to the table an adequate amount of resilience, are the perfect sidekicks under unfavourable road and weather conditions, a majority of their models are not 4-wheel drive vehicles, also known as 4×4 vehicles.
As of 2024, only the Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee models are capable of being 4WD vehicles. The Renegade, Cherokee, Patriot, and Compass haven’t yet joined that club.
On another note, while the 4×4 options are great sidekicks if your main priority is safety, they could be unnecessary for purchase if you live in an area where it rarely snows or rains. Additionally, the 4WD entries are also quite costly as opposed to the two-wheel drive versions that Jeep offers.