Jeep’s off-road credentials run deeper than almost any other automaker on the planet. The story starts before Jeep was even a consumer brand: the Willys MB served as an indispensable tool during World War II, delivering four-wheel-drive capability in a compact, go-anywhere package that proved its worth on every front. After the war, Jeep grew into its own brand and steadily expanded its lineup with rugged products aimed at a wider range of buyers. The company even created the Trail Rated badge to help shoppers quickly identify which models were genuinely built for the dirt.
The good news for budget-conscious off-road enthusiasts is that Jeep’s long history means there’s no shortage of capable, affordable options on the used market. Whether you’re drawn to classic boxy styling or a more modern machine, there’s something here to suit your needs. Here are 10 affordable Jeeps that excel on the trail.
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2002-2007 Liberty KJ
Affordable Yet Capable
Automotive names don’t last forever. When it came time to replace the long-lived Cherokee XJ, Jeep decided on a fresh nameplate for its new entry in the same segment. The 2002 Liberty was the result, featuring round headlights and a more sculpted overall shape compared to the angular SUV it replaced.
When shopping for one today, prioritize the high-end Limited grade with the Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel-drive system. It pairs that hardware with a 3.7-liter V6 producing 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque, backed by a four-speed automatic.
A 2007 Liberty is worth between $3,138 and $5,105. J.D. Power puts the figures at $4,571 to $5,209.
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1987-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ with Selec-Trac
9
A Boxy Option
While the CJ-series and Wrangler models are Jeep’s most iconic off-roaders, the brand has plenty of other vehicles capable of playing in the dirt. In 1984, the automaker introduced the second-generation Cherokee under the internal designation XJ. The SUV featured a unibody chassis rather than a body-on-frame design, offering enough room for a whole family while also delivering sophisticated four-wheel-drive systems.
From launch, Jeep offered the Cherokee with its Selec-Trac four-wheel drive. An updated version in 1987 added a full-time 4WD setting alongside 2WD, part-time 4WD High, and 4WD Low modes. That range of choices let drivers tailor the system to the situation — making the XJ equally at home commuting during the week and tackling trails on the weekend.
A 1997–2001 example averages $8,824. When shopping for one, seek out the latest model year you can find with the lowest mileage.
8
1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ
Power, Luxury, And Capability
Jeep originally intended the SUV that became the first-generation Grand Cherokee to replace the XJ Cherokee outright. In practice, the two vehicles coexisted on the market for years.
The Grand Cherokee was a more upmarket offering than the standard Cherokee. Depending on the model year, buyers could option an engine as large as a 5.9-liter V8, and the available Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive system could automatically transition from rear- to all-wheel drive when conditions demanded it.
If you’re shopping for one, keep an eye out for a 1998 example — it was the only year the 5.9-liter V8 was offered. That engine produced 245 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful Jeep available at the time. Every V8 model came with a four-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.
A 1998 Grand Cherokee with the big V8 in good condition is worth around $7,200, though values appear to be trending upward, with recent sales recorded at $10,500 and $11,446.
7
1986-1992 Comanche MJ
A Cherokee XJ Pickup
The Jeep Comanche — internally designated the MJ — is the pickup truck counterpart to the Cherokee XJ also featured on this list. It carries most of the SUV’s amenities, swapping the rear cargo area for an open bed.
Introduced in 1986, the Comanche was available only in a two-door configuration. One of its more unusual engineering details was a hybrid structure: the cab and engine bay used the Cherokee’s unibody chassis, while the bed section used a body-on-frame design.
At launch, engine choices included a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 2.1-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder, and a 2.8-liter V6. For 1987, a 4.0-liter inline-six replaced the V6. The most powerful Comanche was the 1991–1992 model, where that 4.0-liter produced 190 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque.
Depending on the engine and model year, buyers could choose from a four-speed manual, five-speed manual, three-speed automatic, or four-speed automatic. Two-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations were both available, with the base 4WD system offering either the part-time Command-Trac or full-time Selec-Trac transfer case.
The average 1986–1992 Comanche currently trades for $13,739.
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1976-1983 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade
An Off-Roading Classic
The Jeep CJ-5 enjoyed a long production run from 1955 to 1983, serving essentially as a civilian version of the Willys M38A1 military vehicle. In 1970, Jeep introduced the Renegade name as an off-road-oriented package for the CJ-5, adding a heavy-duty suspension, locking differential, and a skid plate to protect the oil pan. By 1972, the package was available with a 5.0-liter V8 in place of the original six-cylinder, along with alloy wheels and the upgraded Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential.
Jeep refreshed the CJ-5 in 1976, modernizing the aging design with a new, stronger frame that was also wider at the rear. An upgraded drivetrain featured an improved Dana 300 transfer case, and power brakes and disc brakes became new options. The Renegade added a style-conscious step up, with available stripes, a trim-name decal, and a swing-out rear spare tire carrier.
According to Classic.com, the average 1955–1983 CJ-5 sells for $17,662.
5
2003-2006 Wrangler Rubicon
A Modern Off-Roader
In 1987, Jeep replaced the aging CJ-7 with the Wrangler — a somewhat more civilized yet still rugged compact SUV. In 1997, the second-generation Wrangler, internally designated the TJ, arrived with more modern technology and additional capability.
The TJ’s 2003 model year refresh brought the introduction of a range-topping off-road trim.
The Rubicon came equipped with the new Rock-Trac four-wheel-drive system, a pair of locking Dana 44 axles, and the ability to shift on the fly between two-wheel drive and 4×4 High at speeds up to 55 mph. A 4:1 low-range crawl ratio made short work of demanding trails.
The average price for a 2003–2006 Wrangler Rubicon is $18,619, with recorded sales ranging from $4,995 at the low end to $75,000 at the high end.
4
1973-1978 Jeep Wagoneer SJ
A Classic Family Off-Roader
Before the Cherokee gave Jeep a family-hauling SUV, the Wagoneer was filling that role. Launched for the 1963 model year, it brought several firsts to the brand, including being the first 4×4 Jeep to offer an automatic gearbox. It was also the first Jeep with a full-time 4×4 system, with the Quadra-Trac setup arriving in 1973.
If you’re shopping for one of these SUVs, prioritize the 1973 through ’78 models. These examples offer the Quadra-Trac system, standard front disc brakes, and a styling upgrade over earlier units. Models from ’76 onward also benefit from a strengthened frame.
A refresh in ’79 added a new plastic front grille and one-piece aluminum bumpers. Aesthetics are subjective, but we prefer the look of the ’70s-era Wagoneers.
According to Classic.com, the average 1973 Wagoneer is worth $21,500, while a ’78 would cost around $32,368.
3
CJ-7 Renegade
Classic And Capable
The Jeep CJ-7 launched in 1976 as the bigger sibling to the CJ-5. Its 10-inch longer wheelbase translated directly into more passenger room. The Renegade package arrived for the CJ-7 in 1979, bringing flashier styling that included aluminum wheels with wider tires, body graphics, and fender lip extensions. Heavy-duty shocks and underbody skid plates rounded out the equipment list.
A ’79 CJ-7 is currently worth $23,474, according to Classic.com. Hagerty puts a 1980 CJ-7 Renegade at $28,600.
2
Kaiser Jeep M715
The Military Option
Jeep built several military vehicles beyond the iconic World War II Willys. The Kaiser Jeep M715 pickup, for example, entered service in 1967. The trucks served primarily as troop and cargo transports, though variants were also produced for use as ambulances and maintenance vehicles, according to Military Trader.
When the trucks reached the end of their service life, the military sold them into the civilian market. Power came from a military-tuned version of Jeep’s 3.8-liter (230-cubic-inch) inline-six, modified with a lower compression ratio and a one-barrel carburetor for a rated 132 horsepower. The 4×4 drivetrain used a four-speed manual gearbox and a two-speed transfer case, with non-assisted steering and brakes.
According to Classic.com, the average example is worth $24,256.
