7 Great Jeeps for Casual Oakbrook Drivers

July 15th, 2022 by

A silver 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is shown from the front while going down a dirt trail.

Jeep has built up a name for itself as the go-to brand if you want a hardcore vehicle that can take all of the punishment that off-road recreation has to offer. Need something with durable springs, dampers, and axles? Jeep has a trim for it. In fact, there is a model and a trim for nearly every type of off-road activity. But what happens if you’ve settled into commutes in Oakbrook, Kentucky, where you don’t need something that kicks up the mud or fords 30-inches of water? What happens when you need something rugged but refined? Economical but durable? Well, if you’re visiting an Oakbrook Jeep dealership with something in mind that isn’t entirely for hardcore off-roading, we here at Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram have a few suggestions for you.

#7. Jeep Wrangler 4xe

In a list about vehicles that may not be for hardcore off-roading, you might be quick to ask what a Wrangler is doing on it, but let’s not forget that not all Wranglers are designed to climb Mount Everest or dive to the depths of the Mariana Trench. Sometimes there are Wranglers designed simply to give you a great riding experience with awesome technology to boot. In many ways, that’s what the Wrangler 4xe is, a hybrid model that combines electric power with a classic internal combustion engine.

The Wrangler 4xe is the kind of rugged model that can handle off-road tasks if you need it to, but it’s mostly designed to be the eco-conscious iteration of the popular off-road SUV. This is a great way to take charge on the road with a muscular midsize vehicle while saving at the pump and going green in the process. If you’re in the market for a rugged SUV without necessarily looking for something to go off-road in, the Wrangler 4xe is a nice middle-ground for eager shoppers.

#6. Jeep Gladiator Altitude

The Jeep Gladiator is basically a pickup truck version of the Jeep Wrangler, with a longer wheelbase, more carry capacity, and designed to handle pickup-related tasks like towing and payload hauls. However, despite being another 4×4 designed to tackle the off-road, certain trims are a little more… domesticated. In this case, we have the Jeep Gladiator Altitude, which is still rugged but has some luxury and utilitarian elements working more as its focus as opposed to being purely designed for rock crawls and hill climbs.

The Altitude would be great for Oakbrook residents looking for a midsize pickup that can tow and haul but still has that Jeep flair. The Altitude in particular, comes standard with a trailer tow package, along with the Black Freedom Top modular hardtop. The 17-inch glossy black aluminum wheels are also designed to make riding on the pavement smoother and more manageable than what you might find from the more enthusiast off-road trims.

#5. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

Like the Wrangler, many of the Grand Cherokee trims are designed to handle off-road tasks with ease. However, the Grand Cherokee doesn’t always prioritize off-road capabilities as its premier forte. In this case, the Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is the Grand Cherokee’s first foray into hybrid electric powertrain territory. It combines the style and unique features that the Grand Cherokee is known for with fuel-saving technology in the form of a plug-in electric hybrid.

So how much will you be saving at the pump? Well, you will be managing an estimated equivalent of 56 miles to the gallon. You can still tow up to 6,000 lbs worth of cargo, too, thanks to the total output of 470 lb-ft of torque. Essentially the Grand Cherokee 4xe retains a lot of the off-road charms you might expect from a Jeep, but it’s designed for those who want something they can drive throughout Oakbrook that’s classy, rugged, economical in the gas mileage, and friendly to the environment.

A silver 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is shown from the front at an angle after leaving a Oakbrook Jeep dealership.

#4. Jeep Compass Red

While the Compass Sport, Latitude, and Altitude trims are all great for drivers who aren’t into off-roading and just looking for a Jeep that is comfortable and economical, the Jeep Compass Red is a tough model to pass up in suggesting. Take into consideration that it looks gorgeous, comes with 19-inch granite wheels, and is decked out in a full Redline livery across the exterior. It also sports black highlights in the form of roof rails, a grille, and some trimmings and moldings. If you want a great looking compact SUV, the Jeep Compass Red is definitely the way to go.

The Red also comes standard in the four-wheel drive configuration, but don’t let that scare you off. It means you can still comfortably take to the roads throughout Oakbrook and greater Kentucky without the vehicle feeling unwieldy or as if it’s itching to eat up a dirt road. The Compass is still designed to be every bit as accommodating to pavement-based driving as any other compact on four wheels. You just get the benefit of the Red trim looking quite exquisite in the process.

#3. Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is a completely different beast from some of the other off-road and hybrid offerings. It’s one-half of the top-end luxury-themed offerings of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with the trim just above it being the Summit Reserve. The reason the Summit was selected for this list was because the Summit Reserve could possibly be seen as overkill for those who want a Jeep but aren’t quite convinced they need a top-of-the-line trim for their Oakbrook driving needs.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is the perfect in-between. Maybe you drive enough to want something luxurious, comfortable, relaxing, and well-equipped, but not so much that you need a house in your car. The Summit offers 16-way massage seats, a unique two-tone exterior, some refined wood-grained interior, a full infotainment suite, and all the driver assistance technology you could ask for. It makes driving a refined journey, great for those who want to spend a little more for the higher-quality offerings that Jeep has, but not so much for those who need something to break the bank over.

#2. Jeep Cherokee Latitude LUX

On the opposite end of the Grand Cherokee Summit spectrum is the Cherokee (sans Grand) Latitude LUX. Once again, it caters to those who aren’t quite ready, enthused, or interested in a Jeep designed to kick rocks, throw boulders off mountains, and pummel hillsides into a muddy pulp. The Latitude LUX is that perfectly capable, exquisitely rugged, compact SUV that seats five, is available in front-wheel or four-wheel drive, and is fully equipped with all the basic driving amenities you could want.

A sporty exterior, 17-inch satin carbon aluminum alloy wheels designed for the pavement, and an assortment of fun yet classy colors keep the Cherokee Latitude LUX both refined and bold. It’s one of the more interesting trims available from Jeep that isn’t about scaring off the casual drivers with its off-road prowess. It still offers enough kick and panache from the V6 Pentastar and Nappa Leather-trimmed seating to make it well worth the investment for Oakbrook residents.

A white 2022 Jeep Renegade Sport is shown from the side while rounding a corner.

#1. Jeep Renegade Sport

It almost doesn’t get more casual than this. While it’s not as luxury-oriented as the other vehicles on the list, nor as capable as its other trim-line relatives, the whole point of the Jeep Renegade Sport is to be a fun little SUV with great fuel economy. It has enough power to feel snappy on the road, is equipped with all the basic safety and infotainment amenities, and looks sporty and modern. It’s an excellent little vehicle for Oakbrook residents who don’t yet feel comfortable diving into a full off-road 4×4 with the latest in crawling and transfer-case functionality.

The highlight of the Jeep Renegade Sport is that it’s a perfectly durable, well-designed, engaging little SUV for those looking for that exact kind of Jeep without feeling overwhelmed by some of the bigger, meaner, more rugged offerings that Jeep has in its line-up. In some ways, it’s a good entry-level vehicle, but also, at the same time, designed for those with a spirit of adventure. It’s great for those who want something that fits in well at home but can also hit up the beach, tow a boat to the lake, or just cruise the nightlife at a moment’s notice. A perfect little casual driving vehicle with a sporty personality.