Jeep Wrangler Alternatives – Every Other Jeep Like Vehicles

Jeep Wrangler is the poster child of great American off-road vehicles. It has earned an unbeatable reputation as the ultimate American-made, rugged and durable off-roader that’s easy to operate and easily customizable. The vehicle has become more popular than any other SUV in the US and earned a cult following.

In a surprise turn of events, however, not everyone is for the Jeep Wrangler. And the critics have their reasons behind not joining the bandwagon. From the vehicle’s poor fuel economy to the high costs, road-noise, minimal cargo space, and less comfort, etc.

If you’re not a jeep wrangler fan, there’s a whole list of jeep wrangler alternatives—most of them come at a more affordable price point and some offer comparable performance to a Wrangler.

Below are our top 10 best alternatives to the Jeep Wrangler you should consider.

1. Ford Bronco (full-size model)

Ford Bronco is the No. #1 competitor to Jeep Wrangler, which makes it a top alternative.

Bronco comes with removable doors and comes in both 2-door and 4-door configurations, making it one of the top vehicles featuring a pretty close resemblance to the Jeep Wrangler.

When it comes to off-road performance, this Ford model will give performance comparable to that of Wrangler. Ford could even challenge Jeep to go back to make extreme improvements to the Wrangler to keep it ahead of Bronco!

The vehicle features a twin-traction beam on the front to offer independent suspension for the front-wheel drive. It also features a partially removable top which further brings it close to Wrangler in resemblance.

Ford equips this vehicle with a 5.0L V8 engine which gives it high-speed desert run capabilities and torturous rock crawling.

As for the ground clearance, this Ford has a maximum of 11.6 clearance, and it can hassle-freely ford through 33.5 inches of water.

Just like Wrangler, both the 2-door and 4-door Bronco models can two up to 35,000 pounds. The body panels for this ford are also removable like in Wrangler.

Overall, Ford Bronco should be your number ONE choice whenever you think of solid alternatives to a Jeep Wrangler.

2. Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner makes another highly reliable off-roading vehicle and a worthy competitor to Jeep Wrangler.

The vehicle offers you a 7-seater passenger capacity, which is definitely a huge step over 5-seater in wrangler. It also offers increased cargo space.

It also delivers an off-road performance similar to the Wrangler. Not to forget it ranks higher than Wrangler in terms of reliability and convenience.

3. Toyota FJ Cruiser

Are you feeling that Jeep wranglers are soo expensive and need a more affordable alternative? If yes, this Toyota FJ Cruiser is a viable option.

The robust construction design is one of the reasons why this vehicle is a worthy competitor to Wrangler. Like the Jeeps, this Toyota can withstand tough terrains and extreme weather conditions.

It comes with a short wheelbase which enables it to easily cruise different terrains.

The low supply and high demand give this Cruiser high resale value, which is a plus if you decide to sell your vehicle.

Unfortunately, the vehicle’s engine is notoriously thirsty and requires premium fuel. This translates to a high cost of maintenance. Since it has a manual transmission, it might not be the best vehicle for cruising the city when shopping.

Nevertheless, the Toyota comes armed with an excellent traction control system with a locking differential function—enabling it to tackle tough terrains with ease.

4. Jeep Cherokee

If you’re a jeep die-hard fan and still want to ride a Jeep but the high price of Wranglers puts you off, this Jeep Cherokee is a great alternative for you.

Although this model doesn’t come with the removable top seen in jeep wranglers, it offers you a great off-road performance which puts it in the same class as the Wrangler.

Key benefits of getting a Cherokee over a wrangler include a more affordable price tag, increased cargo space, and high customization capability. Additionally, it comes with up to 4 doors and boasts a formidable 4.0L engine and solid axle for front and rear.

The aftermarket support for jeep Cherokee had deteriorated for several years, but it has started getting back up in recent years, thanks to the return of the popularity of rigs.

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee is, without a single doubt, a grand piece from Jeep. The vehicle comes masterfully engineered to include all the bells and whistles you’d wish for in your dream off-roading vehicle.

The four-wheel-drive comes in V8 and straight front axle options. It makes a good family car and its solid design makes it suitable for riding in any type of weather and terrain. Besides, it’s equipped with plenty of features focused on increased security and safety.

The vehicle also features a more comfortable and luxurious interior that you might not find in the Wrangler. This is another reason to consider it for a good family car for on and off-roading adventures.

Above all, the Grand Cherokee will cost you less than the Jeep Wrangler.

6. Jeep Renegade

You might doubt the Renegade’s performance capabilities because it is a subcompact SUV. But wait until you get behind its wheel; you’ll be taken aback by its excellent ability to drive across challenging terrains.

Besides being off-road worthy, this Jeep also performs well on road. It comes with basic features found in Jeeps.

Jeep Renegade is a good choice if you’re looking for a more affordable Jeep Wrangler alternative. Unluckily, this model is not convertible like the Jeep Wrangler.

7. Suzuki Samurai

Suzuki Samurai is how Japan takes on the Jeep Wrangler. This small SUV and off-roader feature a removable top and straight front and rear axles make it a direct competitor to Jeep Wrangler. its tiny design makes it comparable to the flat fender jeep—the grandfather of Jeep Wranglers.

Also known as Jimny, this vehicle was first produced in the 1970s but it didn’t enter the US market until 1986. Its short wheelbase coupled with a four-wheel drive enables it to easily go through tight spots and effortlessly crawl through treacherous terrains.

Samurai comes at a great price point and is a great budget alternative to Jeep Wrangler if you don’t mind owning a small off-road vehicle.

The key downside of this vehicle is the 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a mere 63HP, making it a seriously underpowered off-road vehicle. Aftermarket support for this vehicle too hasn’t been that great over the last years.

8. Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Defender is a SOLID alternative to the Wrangler. The vehicle is ultra-off-road focused while keeping its on-road performance top-notch.

Limited availability of this vehicle ensures that all the well-maintained and restored models occupy the premium position on the used market.

Just like the Wranglers, the early models of this vehicle featured soft tops with structural roll cages. the later models could be customized with conventional hardtops or removable roofs. It also features a boxy appearance, high ground clearance, 2-door or 4-door configurations, and approach angles-bringing it even closer to Wrangler!

Its 4.0L V8 engine with 4-speed automatic system offers excellent performance and makes Landrover Defender offer better off-road performance than wranglers.

Don’t forget that this vehicle also makes a luxurious alternative to the Wrangler, with cool features like the panoramic sunroof, grained leather seating, interactive driver display, 3D surround camera, and a Meridian sound system

Unfortunately, the Defender climbs higher up the price spectrum than Jeep Wrangler. So, this isn’t anything like a wrangler’s budget alternative.

9. Subaru Outback

It might not have the boxy appearance of a Jeep wrangler, but the Subaru Outback makes a great alternative to Wrangler due to its excellent off-road performance. It has a good ground clearance that will rival even some of the larger vehicles on this list.

It comes with roof rails and boasts Subaru intelligent all-weather drive to give you smooth driving in all weather conditions. Its iconic wagon look gives you more interior space (and added comfort) and increased cargo space.

Hover, this vehicle might not offer you rock crawling or any hardcore form of driving. It’s best suited for mild off-roading.

The vehicle also comes at a lower cost than Jeep Wrangler, makes it the best option for budget-minded folds looking for a formidable off-road vehicle.

10. Nissan Patrol Super Safari

Finally, we have this Nissan’s vehicle as another great contender to the Jeep Wrangler. Nissan designed this model with a powerful engine and premium materials to make a high-performance off-roader that will take you just anywhere on the earth’s surface.

The bulky-looking SUV boasts a highly comfortable and stylish cabin that makes it stand from competing models on the road. It gives you an easy experience tuning the 24-valve potent mill, which provides it with unbeatable speed on the freeway and unmatched off-road performance.

Because the car comes with manual and automatic transmission options, it can generate quite high torque and power—enabling the Super Safari to crawl the desert and around the rocks with the ultimate ease.

Final verdict

So these are the top 10 great alternatives to Jeep Wranglers you can consider today. While some of these options like Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee are cousins to the Jeep wrangler, the rest are from completely different manufacturers. While a few of these models go beyond the price point of Wrangler, most of them are less expensive than the Wrangler but offer great off-road capability, luxurious and comfort features. Which of these vehicles would you consider as your go-to choice over a Jeep Wrangler?