10 Cars Similar to the Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is an off-road SUV recognizable by its boxy shape and amazing off road capabilities. Since it can tackle rugged terrains with fantastic off road performance, most drivers think that any driver can handle this car. 

However, driving this car on such terrain needs some level of experience. Off roading isn’t a skill you can just jump right into and driving off road requires understanding things like proper gear differentials, ground clearance, a vehicle’s removable roof, and whether its rear seats are safe.

Interestingly, the Jeep Wrangler is from the same lineage as the WW2 Willys Jeep, which is also a vehicle with off road capabilities. Due to its off road performance, WW2 soldiers could easily traverse inaccessible locations where their enemies hid. 

According to the Daily Sentinel, the Jeep became an iconic U.S. Army military vehicle when it won many battles during the Second World War. Its trademark rear seats, removable roof, off roading capabilities, and locking rear differential have made the Jeep Wrangler popular for off road adventures.

No matter what Jeep Wrangler model you find, your off road performance and fuel economy should be okay, though some options do have a relatively poor fuel economy. As a result, you may want to find an alternative to the Jeep Wrangler, especially if you can’t afford this off road vehicle for whatever reason.

Thankfully, you can get cars similar to the brand in terms of their boxy shapes or off road capabilities. The Jeep Wrangler is far from the only vehicle that can go off road, with models like the Land Rover Defender, the Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota 4Runner having some off road abilities.

With that in mind, here are the 10 cars similar to the Jeep Wrangler

These include small SUV vehicles with varying departure angles, low mileage levels, four door design, strong ground clearance, rugged designs choices, body on frame styles, and a bigger engine than other vehicles Jeep offer. Some are new models perfect for everyday use, while others might be saved for off road adventures.

Our Methodology 

During our research, we tried to find Jeep Wrangler alternatives with features like independent front suspension, rear cross traffic alert, fuel efficient engines, removable doors, strong cargo space, low range gearing, and other off road features that made cars similar to the Jeep Wrangler popular. 

Any other off road vehicle had to know how to tackle challenging terrains with off road capacity that provides a comfortable ride over challenging terrains and very difficult driving situations. Our research process included many in-depth steps to identify great vehicles, including:

  1. Checking our previous list to make sure it was still accurate
  2. Researching current models, whenever possible, to add new information 
  3. Rewriting and reworking sections to help them read more smoothly 
  4. Editing and proofreading our work to ensure accuracy 
  5. Updating our articles regularly to keep them up to date

The 10 Vehicles Most Like the Jeep Wrangler

When picking an off roader or off roaders for your needs, make sure you pay attention to things like a spacious cabin, aftermarket support, a rugged appearance, a solid axle design with solid axles for better comfort, a four wheel drive design, strong skid plates, better on road performance, and a cute boxy shape. The best off roaders and Wrangler alternatives offer these benefits and more.

10. Suzuki Jimny

This car is a descendant of the original Suzuki 4X4 and the 1970s LJ10 and is a great alternative to the classic Jeep style. Like the Jeep Wrangler, it has a boxy shape and off-road capabilities. It uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers up to 100 horsepower like that other vehicle. 

According to Auto List, a horsepower of between 200 and 300 is considered good for a car. This might make you think that it has little off road capacity. However, this car’s horsepower of 100 is ideal for people who want to cruise, and its torque is good enough to keep it running smoothly on hills.

So, while this model might not match Jeep models like the Jeep Gladiator, Jeep CJ, or the Grand Cherokee, when it comes to cargo space, greater ground clearance, air suspension design, all terrain tires, or a more spacious interior, it’s a cute Wrangler alternative at an affordable price.

9. Ford Bronco

People have mainly forgotten about this car. It was re-launched in 2021 after a 25-year hiatus, so it is not hard to see why it was forgotten. However, this two-door vehicle has many great trim packages and road features that match what Jeep offers, though perhaps not everyone will enjoy it. 

For example, this car maintains its boxy look like its predecessors. Both cars use rugged design and body-on-frame platforms, which offer higher ground clearance. The difference is that the Jeep Wrangler uses a solid axle front and rear, while the Ford Bronco has an independent front suspension.

That said, it also has many cool road features that make it a fun vehicle to drive. Expect road features like all terrain tires, high-quality lights, comfortable seating, a bike rack, and even infotainment options that make this Jeep Wrangler alternative a popular choice for many.

8. Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota made this car to replicate its version of the Jeep Wrangler. When they decided to manufacture this car, they realized how popular off roading vehicles were. As a result, it has the same boxy design as the Jeep Wrangler, as well as things like an independent front suspension. 

Where it stands apart from options like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Mercedes Benz G Class, and the Land Rover are its off road features. That classic Jeep shape is paired with expanded cargo space and expanded off road capability that make this a pickup truck you will love. 

Another similarity between the cars is the manual transmission option. With this option, you will have more control of this vehicle’s speed and torque output. Many drivers prefer this kind of expanded control, particularly when off roading with their Jeep Wrangler alternative.

7. Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is similar to the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, and other off road vehicles. It has a locking rear differential, a common off roading shape, and off roading features that match the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, and Jeep Wrangler in many ways.

The difference that sets these cars apart is the huge size of the Toyota 4Runner. While the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are around 184.9 inches long, 73.7 inches wide, and 72.6 inches high, the Toyota 4Runner is 191.3 inches long, 75.8 inches wide, and 71.5 inches high. That gives it more weight.

That extra density makes it safer when driving on various off road terrain. This car also excels in terms of cargo space. For instance, it has a cargo space of 46.3 cubic feet, while the cargo space for the Jeep Wrangler is 31.5 cubic feet. Pair that with four wheel drive, skid plates, and all terrain tires and you have a winner.

6. Nissan Xterra

People who shop for off-road vehicles commonly decide between this car and the Jeep Wrangler due to their similarity in shape and functionalities. While not quite the kind of all wheel drive vehicle you see with the FJ Cruiser, Grand Cherokee, Jeep Gladiator, or Suzuki Samurai, it provides a lot of great off road features. 

In terms of horsepower, there is not much difference between them. Nissan Xterra’s 4.0-liter V6 engine delivers a horsepower of 22, while the Jeep’s 3.6L V6 engine delivers a horsepower of 21. Remember that torque is more important than horsepower for off roading, and the Xterra has plenty!

All that said, though, this car mostly resembles an SUV and has a similar feel when driving. As a result, you can easily expect it to endure hard terrains. That said, while it can be used on tough terrains, the Jeep Wrangler is more resilient – we suggest this as a family-oriented alternative.

5. Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is nearly as popular as the Jeep Wrangler. Both their engines are backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, which might be a bummer for some drivers. After all, off-roading is more fun with a manual drive – however, it’s not a major issue with either car. 

In terms of holding overdrive, the Jeep Wrangler excels and does a bit better than the Jeep Gladiator. However, the Jeep Gladiator is better when it comes to braking since the brake pedal does not feel as spongy as the Jeep Wrangler. That might make it feel a little safer to many drivers. 

Another difference between the cars is the interior. The Gladiator has room under the backseat, while the Wrangler has built-in covered cargo space. Ultimately, the differences between the two vehicles are significant – we suggest the Gladiator more as a general-use vehicle.

4. Mercedes Benz G-Class

The Mercedes Benz G-class and the Jeep Wrangler are two boxy off-roaders that have outlasted most cars identified in this listicle. As a result, they have a bit of a cult following. Your choice might all depend on your preference in manufacturers, as Mercedes Benz definitely has its fans. 

The G-Glass is longer and wider than the Wrangler, which means more cargo space. In that way, we feel like it’s a great option for families or weekend warriors – you can leave your kids at home with a babysitter and go off roading with this car whenever you want!

That said, there is more headroom than there is legroom, which might limit your comfort a little. Driving this car is generally comfortable due to its independent front suspension, which helps it feel refined. Which do we pick? Choose the Jeep Wrangler for affordability and the G-Class for luxury.

3. Suzuki Samurai

The Suzuki Samurai is mostly available on the resale market and is often considered a classic vehicle with a rugged design. It feels a lot like a Jeep Wrangler for many reasons. First, both cars have a boxy shape that feels cozy, comfortable, and easy enough to handle.

That said, the Samurai is sparse in terms of off-road features, which is where the Wrangler beats it hands down. Amazingly, the Samurai makes up for it by being a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Since it is a four-wheel drive, its engine sends more than enough power to the front and wheel axles. 

By the time the axles receive the power, the car will have gathered enough torque to tolerate some rough terrains. Its front bumper is not fancy since it has a factory bull bark, which lessens the impact of car damage during a collision. Ultimately, we suggest this option for people who love the Suzuki brand and who want a safer alternative to the Wrangler that may only increase in value.

2. Land Rover LR4

Although the Land Rover LR4 and the Jeep Wrangler are both off-roaders, the Land Rover LR4 is better in many ways. It has an electronic air suspension to balance its ride on rugged terrains. On these trips, you will not feel shaken, unlike the Wrangler’s often rougher ride.

Another reason it tolerates rough terrains is its Terrain Response system. The system allows you to switch to modes like Ruts, Sand, or Snow, depending on your current terrain. Is it automatically better than the Wrangler? For off roading, yes – as a general purpose car, less so due to bad fuel efficiency.

1. Subaru Outback

The Outback and Wrangler are both fun to drive, whether off-road or on-road. However, the Wrangler is a better off-roader since it has a bigger engine and higher ground clearance. That said, if you desire a well-balanced car that is more fuel-efficient, the Outback is the best in this sector.

Even though the Outback is not as strong of an off roader as the Wrangler, it still has an all-wheel-drive which means it can navigate tough terrains. We think it works best for people with more general driving needs because you’ll likely rarely need to go off roading with it.

Conclusion

If the only off-roader vehicle you knew was the Jeep Wrangler, consider yourself better informed after reading this article. With our help, you have discovered that the Wrangler is better than some cars and vice versa and well worth your consideration.

By finding alternatives to the Wrangler, though, you will be able to choose an off-roader based on the criteria you regard highly, e.g., fuel economy, acceleration, etc. Even though you may admire the Wrangler and other similar cars for their boxy shape, try to focus more on their functionalities.

After all, you don’t want to get stuck with an attractive car with poor fuel economy, especially with today’s ever-increasing fuel prices. Consider this tip and many others when looking for an off-roader or other type of vehicle. Never settle for second best! Always aim for the finest.

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