Notable Model Years for Popular Used Jeeps

With its origins going back to World War II, Jeep has been an important part of the auto industry for generations of drivers. Growing beyond the original Willys model, the Jeep lineup has expanded and evolved over many decades to become something distinct and remarkable within the industry. When you go looking for a used Jeep for sale, you have access to a massive selection of different vehicles across a wide range of generations, model years, and styles. It would take us a long time to dive deeply into what’s available for each of these, so instead, we’re going to look at some of the most popular used Jeep models out there and focus on some particular years and features to keep in mind as you shop. This can’t necessarily be comprehensive, but we’ll do our best to guide you. We’re here at Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to answer any more questions you may have.

The Jeep Wrangler

When looking at used Jeeps, we can’t think of a better place to start than the Wrangler, which is the modern successor to the original Jeep that helped the Allies achieve victory in WWII. The Wrangler has been around for nearly 40 years and is something of an anomaly in the auto industry because early used models are still sought after. There are four generations of the Wrangler that you should know about when looking at used options: the YJ from 1987 to 1995, the TJ from 1997 to 2006, the JK from 2007 to 2018, and the JL from 2018 to now. All four of these generations have their fans, and you’ll find them all available when looking at used models—though we don’t tend to have vehicles that are too old here at our dealership.

The YJ is definitely more of a collector’s item and for folks who want to capture the feeling of driving the first run of the Jeep Wrangler. Jeep introduced a coil-spring suspension for the TJ series, rather than the leaf-spring suspension previously used; a longer Unlimited model of the Wrangler was also introduced during this generation for the 2004 model year. If you’re not interested in going that far back but still want something older, then the JK is a great generation to focus on. This introduced a four-door Unlimited model along with enhanced performance—a lot of people like this generation for its simplicity of features. If you prefer some of the latest features and options, then go with the current JL generation—particularly one from 2021 or later if you want a Rubicon model with a V8 engine.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee

Although the Wrangler might be Jeep’s most iconic model, the Grand Cherokee is equally popular among drivers. This is a midsize SUV that’s a great choice if you have a family and you need a reliable vehicle for daily use that’s also very fun to drive. The fourth-generation Grand Cherokee ran from the 2011 to 2021 model years, making it a great choice as you look at different used options. Although the standard 3.6L V6 engine for this generation is excellent, we suggest looking for the available HEMI V8 if you want boosted power and performance. In particular, we like models from 2017 and later, when the Grand Cherokee received a facelift and updates; this gives you access to the Trailhawk off-road trim if you want an adventurous SUV.

The Jeep Cherokee

If you want something a bit smaller, then the Jeep Cherokee is a terrific pick: a compact SUV that’s incredibly fun to drive. First introduced for the 1974 model year, we suggest a fifth-generation Cherokee, which launched with the 2014 model year. You can find three different four-wheel drive systems on these vehicles, though all of them are great. We like models from 2019 and later, when Jeep gave the Cherokee a facelift and updates, which also made the Latitude the starting trim when the Sport model was discontinued. Production of the Cherokee ended after the 2023 model year, so keep that in mind when looking at used options.

The Jeep Renegade

Although it wasn’t around as long as we would’ve liked, the Jeep Renegade made a lot of fans during its run, and many of us at Lake Norman CDJR were among them. This is a subcompact SUV that was introduced for the 2015 model year and was available through 2023; that’s a short run, but it had a lot to offer during that time. The Sport trim is the starting point and a great one to look for if you want to keep things simple, while the Limited gives you a lot of enhanced features to enjoy. Look for a Trailhawk model if you want a small SUV with big off-road capabilities. Updates for the 2019 and 2022 model years make those good ones to look for, especially if you want an enhanced infotainment system.

The Jeep Compass

Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Compass is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a compact Jeep SUV to use as a daily driver. Designed with a greater focus on comfortable ride quality and use as a commuter vehicle, the Compass is great for general use, and it wasn’t even offered as a Trail Rated version in its first few years. An update for 2011 brought available features to make it Trail Rated, though we still like the Compass primarily for city driving. Jeep released a second-generation Compass for 2017, which is a fantastic place to start when looking at used models. Updates and an exterior facelift for the 2022 model year make that a fantastic choice, with enhanced infotainment that further improves your time on the road each day.

The Jeep Patriot

Only around for a decade, the Jeep Patriot offers an alternative option if you’re interested in a pre-owned compact SUV. Similarly designed and engineered with daily driving in mind, you can find Patriot models with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, plus different engines with varying levels of performance. The Patriot first hit the road for the 2007 model year with different trims including a standard Sport model and a high-end High Altitude trim. Jeep gave the Patriot a facelift for the 2011 model year with great looks that beautifully match the rest of the Jeep lineup, followed by more updates for the 2014 model. The Patriot was discontinued following 2017, but it holds a special place in the hearts of many drivers.

The Jeep Gladiator

If someone used the Jeep Wrangler as inspiration for a midsize truck, the result would be the Gladiator, which is likely how it came to be in the first place. This is your best choice if you’re interested in a used Jeep pickup that provides impressive performance, fantastic off-road capabilities, and great towing and payload ratings. First released for the 2020 model year, the Gladiator is something special in the Jeep lineup and the perfect choice if you’re looking for a used Jeep to help you escape the ordinary. While you will typically find a V6 engine on the Gladiator, a turbo-diesel can be found on 2021 to 2023 models—it was discontinued with the model refresh and updates for the 2024 Gladiator.

Which Used Jeep Is Right for You?

As you can see, you have a lot of different options available to you when looking for a used Jeep, which is a big part of why shopping for a pre-owned model can be so much fun. Some people worry that going with a used vehicle means missing out on the kinds of options that customizing a new vehicle provides, but you actually have much more freedom when exploring used models. You can even go with something that’s no longer available as new, such as the Jeep Patriot or Renegade, giving you more amazing vehicles to enjoy. All of these options can also make things a bit overwhelming, which is why it’s so important you shop at a dealership with friendly people who are ready to assist you. That’s just what you’ll find with us at Lake Norman CDJR and we love getting the chance to help our customers find the perfect used vehicle.