Jeeps have been the faithful all-terrain vehicle for millions of Americans since their introduction to the general market in the 1940s. While having a strong, durable vehicle that can handle driving nearly anywhere means that most owners hold onto their Jeeps until their very last breath, it’s not unusual to find a few used Jeeps amongst the used cars for sale on your local dealer’s lot. Over the years, Jeep has introduced a variety of models, all of which were designed to cover a lot of territory in any kind of weather.
From pick up trucks to family wagons to sporty models that were built to get dirty, these vehicles are rough and tough, and owners can’t get enough. While many of us have our eyes on the newest, shiniest models, there are quite a few models and model years that have been preserved in history. These used Jeeps hold their value well over the years, and while the price tag isn’t too alarming, the reliability of these slightly used vehicles is commendable. If you’re in the market for a Jeep, but not quite ready to spend new model year cash, check out the used cars for sale at your local dealership for some of these Jeeps, which are considered the cream of the crop on the used market. You might find a gold mine of a Jeep just waiting to be your next adventure buddy!
The End of the First Generation: 2011-2017 Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass was introduced in 2007 as a small, compact SUV type vehicle. In 2011, the model got a facelift, and Jeep continued to improve upon the changes it made that year until the next generation was launched in 2018. Updates included a redesign of the interior, available off-road package, and changes to the exterior that made Compass look a bit more like an older Grand Cherokee. While the models prior to 2011 tend to get lukewarm reviews, the brand new updates that carried from 2011-2017 earn praise to this day.
The 2011 Jeep Compass was a vehicle far ahead of its time. It offered standard features like Bluetooth Wireless, hands-free phone operation, remote keyless entry and engine start, voice recognition, heated seats, and integrated garage door opener. Both the Sport SUV and Limited Sport featured a four-cylinder, 2.4L engine that offered 172 horsepower, and 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
It also offered a surprisingly rich suite of safety equipment, including child seat anchors, front airbags, and airbags for rear-seat passengers, as well as stability and traction control. The 2011 earned a reputation for being a “family Jeep,” despite or in addition to its sporty reputation.
By 2016, the Jeep Compass had evolved into a more luxury vehicle. While still considered an “entry” vehicle in the Jeep lineup, it earned its stripes as a five-passenger SUV. It was offered in a Trail-Rated package, and trims included the base Sport, Latitude, and Sport SE. Drivers had the choice of a 2.0L inline-4 engine that offered 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.4L inline-4 engine that offered 172 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the 2016 Compass could tow about 2,000 lbs, making it a helpful work partner, but not the best for truly heavy loads. When looking at used models today, drivers will be thrilled to note that CD players, auxiliary jacks, heated front seats, 115v power outlets, and a touchscreen infotainment system were included with most 2016 Compass models.
Old School Appeal: 2011-2017 Jeep Patriot
To many, it seems strange that the Patriot and the Compass ran simultaneously, as the Patriot shares the same platform, the same engine, and the same available cargo space. Still, the Patriot was styled as a boxy, old-style SUV, while the Compass was more of a suburban family cruiser. 2011 was also the year the Patriot received a major rejuvenation; in fact, a “70th Anniversary” edition was offered to celebrate the history of Jeep, which started a trend of special editions being offered each year until the model was fully discontinued in 2017.
The 2011 Jeep Patriot was offered in Sport, Latitude, and Latitude X trims. While electronic stability and traction with rollover mitigation came standard, drivers could also choose the Freedom Drive I all-wheel drive package or the Freedom Drive II Off Road Package, which added low ratio capable CVT2, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, GPS navigation, and more. The base engine for the 2011 Patriot is a 2.0L inline-4 that offers 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque, with an appropriate fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for the automatic transmission option or 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the standard five-speed manual transmission.
Drivers could also choose the 2.4L inline-4 engine, which boosted power to 172 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy on the higher powered engine depended on drive train and transmission but generally remained in the same neighborhood as the standard option. Depending on the trim and options added, those looking at used Patriots from this year can enjoy fun toys like satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, heated leather seats, and a 458-watt premium sound system.
In its last year of production, the Patriot came at drivers full force. The Freedom Drive I package was fully-developed to include full time four-wheel drive that adapts well to wintery road conditions or even light trail duty. The Freedom Drive II package for the 2017 Patriot includes all-terrain tires, skid plates, tow hooks, and a low-range mode that can climb. While the base model was pretty sparse and manual, the Latitude trim was lauded for being well equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system, navigation system, heated front seats, and more. Again, drivers could choose between the same two engines present in the 2011 model.
When looking at used 2017 Jeep Patriot models, it may seem that no two are alike, due to the variety of options available, including a rearview camera, upgraded infotainment system, and more.
The Last of Its Kind: 2006-2010 Jeep Commander
The Jeep Commander was the last three-row SUV the brand offered. The Commander debuted to great fanfare, but within just four years, the popularity of the model dwindled drastically, resulting in its quiet disappearance from the Jeep lineup. With room for seven passengers, plenty of power, and tons of room, finding one of these on a used car lot could be a great find for those looking to haul around a lot of passengers on some gnarly roads.
The base engine for the Commander was a 3.7L V6, which offered 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque, but many drivers opted for the HEMI V8 engine. This highly lauded engine offers 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque and managed to rate 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway due to its Multi-Displacement System, which disabled four of the eight cylinders when they were not needed.
The Quadra-Drive system introduced four-wheel drive to the Commander. Standard with the HEMI engine, this system uses Electronic Slip Differentials to direct available torque to the wheel with traction, creating a smoother ride no matter what the road or trail offered.
The Commander also features tons of room, with a second row that splits 40/20/40, and a third row that folds 50/50. Both rows can be folded flat for cargo or extra camping space. Drivers today will be impressed with the standard features, including power windows, heated power mirrors, six-speaker audio, rear park assist, multi-stage airbags, and more. When searching for a used model, be on the look out for advanced luxury features, such as power liftgate glass, a sunroof, ParkView camera, and second-row skylights.
The Jeep brand is quickly approaching its 100th anniversary, yet used Jeeps models are still as coveted as they were when they hit the lots as a brand new model. Amongst used cars for sale, Jeeps have a high reputation, which they uphold with models that are innovative, hearty, and durable, year after year.
