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A Trail Rated Jeep is ready for rugged, off-road adventure

Trail-Rated Jeep
Every Jeep to earn the coveted Trail Rated badge is put through a series of rugged off-road tests. These tests cover five areas: water fording, articulation, maneuverability, traction, and ground clearance. The goal is to make sure that every Trail Rated Jeep is ready for whatever adventure lies before you. So here's a deeper look into what it takes to earn the Trail Rated badge. Water Fording If you've ever encountered a washed-out creek or a clogged storm drain that has flooded the roadway, you've probably crossed your fingers and hoped that your vehicle would make it through without flooding the engine, or worse. You don't have to worry about that when driving a Trail Rated Jeep because you'll have no problem fording through waters others wouldn't dare to enter. Every Trail Rated Jeep has sealed electrical connections, so you know your Jeep won't stall out. Body openings are also sealed, preventing your feet, and anything else inside your Jeep, from getting wet. Jeep has also designed a higher air intake to make sure your engine can breathe, rather than choking out under water.

Articulation

You don't have to drive through the wilderness to appreciate Jeep's superior articulation. Articulation refers to the amount of side to side and up and down movement in each individual tire as they travel. Construction sites and dirt roads that see little or no grading often present large potholes and ruts that create an uneven surface. You will often find rocks, logs, and other obstacles if you're an off-road adventurer. Regardless of where you encounter these conditions, the Trail Rated Jeep is engineered to deliver higher levels of articulation. That means that more of your tire surface stays connected to the ground over uneven terrain. More surface contact means more traction, which means you continue to move forward.

Maneuverability

A Trail Rated Jeep has the flexibility to handle both a tight switchback trail and a potential collision with another vehicle. The steering is precision engineered, and the wheelbase is optimized so you can avoid an obstacle on the trail or a car that suddenly brakes in front of you.

Traction

Jeep's legendary four-wheel-drive systems have always given drivers confidence when the road surface gets sketchy. Whether it's snow or ice, mud, soft sand, or wet leaves on a forest trail, a Trail Rated Jeep is equipped to handle it all.

Ground Clearance

Ground clearance isn't just about how high your vehicle sits, it's about giving you room between your Jeep and whatever obstacle you need to get over. Trail Rated Jeeps do sit higher, but the engineering doesn't stop there. They are all designed with optimized approach angles that keep the nose of your Jeep from hitting obstacles. Break over angles are also part of the engineering to keep the underside from bottoming out. Your departure angle is also maximized, so your rear end doesn't scrape against anything when you pull away. Being Trail Rated means a lot of things to Jeep engineers. To Jeep drivers, it means you can go wherever your next adventure leads you. Come test drive a Trail Rated Jeep today, and see what adventure awaits you.   Image via jeep.com
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Jeep Off-Road FAQ: Surfaces, Specs & Features

Legendarily adventurous with the rugged hardware to back it up, Jeep SUVs are synonymous with weekend trailblazing. Engineered to thrive on terrain beyond paved roads, they’re enhanced with 4WD, towering ground clearance, and brawny suspension systems that work together when the road disappears. Whether you're a first-time adventurer or a seasoned trail enthusiast in Ocean Township, NJ, understanding what your Jeep can do helps you get more out of every trip. What Surfaces Can Jeeps Drive On? Jeeps are designed to handle a wide range of terrain types. Mud, gravel, sand, rock, and snow are all fair game for just about every model and trim. Loose surfaces like sand benefit most from airing down tires for better flotation, while rocky terrain demands high ground clearance and skid plates to protect the undercarriage. Mud requires deep-tread tires which most Jeeps are equipped with and a limited-slip or locking differential to prevent spinning out. Each surface presents different challenges, but Jeep vehicles love the challenge. What Specs Should You Look For in a Jeep Off-Road Build? The most important specs for Jeep off-road performance include ground clearance, approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle. These numbers tell you how steep of an incline it can climb, how large of an obstacle it can clear, and how much belly clearance it has to overcome it all. For example, the 2026 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon offers class-leading articulation and front and rear locking differentials, making it one of the most capable builds in the lineup. The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon adds the utility of a truck bed while maintaining serious trail performance. What Does Trail Rated® Mean and Why Does It Matter? The Trail Rated® badge is awarded to Jeeps that meet a strict set of capability standards across 5 categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording. A Trail Rated® Jeep has been tested on some of the most demanding terrain in the world to ensure it performs when conditions get tough. They can handle driving through streams with their sealed electrical systems and high air intakes, can navigate sharp, craggy turns and keep the wheels on the ground, and clear logs, boulders, and more. Some trims across a few models are even Desert Rated® with jounce control dampers, the ability to handle heat and dust, and maintain traction on sand. Not every Jeep model earns this badge, so if off-road performance is your priority, looking for Trail Rated® or Desert Rated® on the window sticker is a good starting point. Which Jeep Features Work Best in Specific Off-Road Situations? Different features shine in different environments. Locking differentials are essential on uneven, rocky terrain where individual wheels might lose contact with the ground. Sway bar disconnect systems, available on Rubicon trims, allow for greater wheel articulation on boulders and steep terrain. For drivers tackling water crossings, water fording depth is a key spec—the Wrangler, for instance, can ford up to 30” of water. Sand and loose terrain benefit most from electronic stability control and traction management systems that adjust torque distribution automatically. Is a Jeep Right for Your Off-Road Goals? That depends on where you plan to go and how often. Casual gravel roads and light trails are well within reach of models like the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee or 2026 Jeep Compass. If you're planning technical rock crawling or serious backcountry driving, a trail rated Rubicon trim gives you the hardware to match those ambitions. Drivers in Ocean Township, NJ, have access to everything from coastal dunes to wooded trails, so there's no shortage of ways to put a capable Jeep to the test. Ready to Find Your Jeep Off-Road Match? Stop by and talk through your off-road goals with someone who knows the lineup. The right combination of trim, features, and specs can make all the difference once you leave the pavement behind. Visit The Jeep Store at thejeepstore.com to explore current inventory and find the build that fits your adventure.

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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Driving Performance Review

When you close your eyes and imagine the perfect archetypal SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is likely what comes to mind. It pairs impressive off-road capability with on-road refinement, making it a favorite of both families and thrill-seekers alike. As a staple in the American automotive landscape for over 25 years, the 2022 model of the Grand Cherokee looks to continue that tradition. The new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is the latest iteration of this iconic SUV, and it doesn't disappoint. Building on the legacy of its predecessors, the Overland takes things to the next level with a host of new features and upgrades. Chief among these is driving performance. The Grand Cherokee is a capable performer, but the Overland takes it to a new level. 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Which 2022 Jeeps Provide the Best Overall Value?

Jeep released several new and updated models this year. Whether you're looking for style, capability, space, or power, Jeep has a vehicle for you. As you're shopping for the perfect Jeep model to fit your lifestyle, you need to consider the overall value of whatever option you choose. Here are five 2022 Jeep vehicles that offer the best value. more Wrangler Unlimited The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is for you if you're an adventure lover. It's got the capability, space, and tech you need to explore the great outdoors. Every Wrangler proudly wears Jeep's Trail Rated badge after it passes rigorous tests of agility, handling, water fording, traction, and articulation. Take it away for a weekend at the beach or in the mountains; either way, it will get you there. The Wrangler isn't only the ideal adventure companion; it's also a great value. Because of its high quality as part of the popular Jeep brand, the Wrangler has a low depreciation rate. 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Enjoy the amazing capability to easily take on the toughest driving conditions while sitting comfortably with the trail-rated Trailhawk trim. Much of the Grand Cherokee's value comes from its versatility. Its flexible cabin space can go from three rows and seven seats to 84.6 cubic feet of cargo space by simply folding down the second and third rows. As one of the top-selling cars in the country, the Grand Cherokee is always in high demand, giving it strong resale value. Renegade Are you looking for a Jeep model on a budget? Test drive the 2022 Jeep Renegade. This compact SUV carries the Jeep name but offers a lower MSRP than other models. Check out the Trailhawk trim, which features the off-road capability of a Jeep, with an impressive 27 highway mpg. The Selec-Terrain Traction Management System allows you to choose your adventure with terrain options such as snow, sand, mud, and rock. Add value in power and efficiency by choosing the available 1.3-liter Turbo engine. This powerhouse pumps out 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque while getting up to 33 mpg on the highway. Thanks to its top-notch safety features, you can stay safe and keep your Renegade in top shape by avoiding fender benders. Available safety systems include blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning with active braking, and rear cross-path detection. Gladiator Thanks to the incredible versatility of the 2022 Jeep Gladiator, you don't have to choose between a pickup truck or an all-terrain SUV. The Jeep Gladiator is all over it, whether you're helping a friend move or fording a stream. As the only open-air pickup truck on the market, you can't get the full package of the Gladiator anywhere else. Its Trail-Rated Jeep badge ensures the Gladiator can handle any terrain. The Rubicon trim level ups the ante with Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials, a sway bar disconnect, rock rails, Jeep's Rock-Trac transfer case, and Fox 2-inch diameter aluminum shocks. The rugged all-steel cargo bed offers 5 feet of cargo space to carry whatever you need for your next adventure. If you're looking for hauling capabilities, the Gladiator doesn't disappoint with its best-in-class 1,700-pound payload capacity and 7,650-pound towing capacity. You won't sacrifice fuel efficiency for power when you choose the Gladiator, thanks to its available 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine with 442 lb-ft of torque, a 6,500-pound towing capacity, and a whopping 28 mpg on the highway. As one of the best trucks on the market for holding resale value, the 2022 Gladiator will certainly give you plenty of bang for your buck. Tow, climb, haul, and enjoy comfort with the Gladiator's ruggedly comfortable interior featuring dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, and leather trim. Turn heads with exterior details such as black aluminum wheels, removable top and doors, a folding front windshield, and signature LED lighting. Wagoneer Check out the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and find space for everything. Bring all your family and friends along for weekend getaways and still have space for all your adventure gear. Offering the most overall passenger volume in its class, the Wagoneer has three rows with three seats across the second and third rows. That's eight seats in passenger mode and up to 116.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all the rear seats down. Compared to other full-size SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade or the Lincoln Navigator, the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are the better value. You'll enjoy comfort, luxury, power, and plenty of space with a budget-friendly MSRP starting at $58,995. Even the base trim level includes major perks such as the Selec-Terrain Traction Management System, voice-activated interior controls, heated seats, and a wealth of driver assist safety features. Opt for the Grand Wagoneer and get top-of-the-line features inside and out. A class-exclusive interactive passenger display allows the front passenger to find their ideal comfort settings and update GPS information using a 10.25-inch touch screen above the glove compartment. Head to The Jeep Store in Ocean Township to check out our selection of Jeep vehicles in person. Take a few of these 2022 models for a test drive and find your perfect fit. Jeep by fltmech98 is licensed with CC BY 2.0