Today’s modern (JL generation) Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4s are the epitome of freedom. Jeeps are the go-anywhere, “can-do” vehicles of our dreams. But are you familiar with the other super off-roaders in Jeep’s current model lineup? Watch our latest episode of Zero To 60TV and read our blog to learn about “five ways for you to get lost in a Jeep.”
Hitting the open road (or trail) with your Jeep is a uniquely American experience. After all, the Jeep brand is synonymous with our red, white and blue, having been battle-tested by U.S. GIs over 70 years ago. The Jeep story began with a Federal government contracted 4×4 known as the Willys-Overland MB. The Willys is the great-grandfather of today’s Jeep Wrangler and, in many ways, the spirit of that first “Jeep” is carried on throughout the Jeep line today.
With so many great Jeep models now part of the brand, we wanted to give you a glimpse of how each one of these very capable off-road models performs in the real world, right here in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
The Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, and Grand Cherokee are more traditional body-on-frame, V6-powered SUVs. But their siblings Renegade, Compass and Cherokee are unibody constructed, transverse engine mounted that can pretty much keep up with their big brothers – depending on the terrain. Plus, these three non-traditional Jeeps all offer loads of storage space, improved fuel economy and a similar level of safety and connectivity tech. See more of what we liked in our video (above).
To hit some light trails in our own backyard, five members of our LeithCars’ Zero to 60 team chose a new Jeep from Leith Chrysler Jeep on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. Steve chose the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, Daniel drove the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, Amber saddled up to the new 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Dylan took charge of the all-new 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk, and I chose the littlest Jeep, the 2019 Renegade Trailhawk. (Author’s note: I’m 6’ 4”, so I wanted to see if I could comfortably drive the Renegade, affectionately known by some Jeep enthusiasts as “the Toaster.” And for the record, in the more diminutive Renegade, my 6-foot-plus frame fits just fine.)
“Getting out there” or “going off the map” is part of the Jeep life for sure. But even if your Jeep travels don’t take you too far from home, there is still plenty of fun and functionality packed into every one of Jeep’s vehicles.
For our mini Jeep safari, we were lucky enough to find some off-road trails near the Triangle that we have access to at Leith. They are not open to the public, sorry. After stopping for a bit to set up a photo op, Amber, driving the newly redesigned Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, spotted what appeared to be a jaw bone from one of the forest’s former inhabitants, a deer.
It might not seem like much, but really it’s just a small example of what you may find off the beaten path when you take your Jeep out for a local adventure.
So, where can you take your Jeep on a sanctioned off-road 4×4 trail? Well, here are a few recommended by Central North Carolina 4X4: Uwharrie National Forest, Carolina Beach, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Doing a quick online search we found a couple more sites – Gulches Off Road Vehicle Park in South Carolina and False Cape State Park, VA. Note that False Cape is more of a “drive up the beach from the North Carolina state line” than an actual off-road park or driving area, so pay attention to signs that mark areas where vehicles are prohibited.
For more on driving off-road in our state, watch our “Car Smarts” episode from 2017, which makes a few points about special precautions to take before driving on sand.
To learn even more about “Team Jeep” for 2018 as well as their collection of great, used Jeeps, go to LeithChryslerJeep.com.
Written by Mark Arsen for Leithcars.com
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