Jeep sales have been on a steady, consistent rise ever since the global economic crisis that hit us in 2008. Jeep reached its highest sales point in 2016 when they marketed 929,446 cars on this side of the Atlantic. The success was unfortunately cut short in 2017 when total Jeep sales stopped at 828,522 vehicles, roughly representing an 11 percent downturn compared to the previous year. Things have been changing for the best for Jeep with a 17 percent increase in sales in 2018. It is now the best selling FCA brand, managing to sell a record-breaking 973,227 vehicles. Jeep’s success is expected to increase in 2020, we will take a look at the forthcoming 2020 Jeep models and give you the details on what to expect from this new fleet.
Jeep has become the FCA’s best-selling division in more recent years, in addition, it has been keeping the whole enterprise above water, along with Ram trucks. 2018 FCA sales within the U.S. total 2,235,204 units (including fleet sales), a 9 percent increase compared to 2017 sales which amounted to 2,059,376 vehicles across the range. On the other hand, retail sales reached 1,760,488 units. Jeep division sales accounted for almost half of the FCA Group’s sales. The success is at a similar rate across the world as well. FCA reached up to 4.75 million vehicles sold in 2017, of which 1.4 million were from Jeep. The FCA’s global sales for 2018 by far surpassed those from 2016, reaching 4.86 million vehicles overall, 1.6 million of which were Jeep cars.
The Jeep brand’s success in 2018 is owed mostly to Wrangler, Compass and Cherokee models. Their sales have improved by 26 percent, 105 percent and 41 percent respectively compared to the 2017 numbers. On the other hand, the Renegade and Grand Cherokee models have lost 6.1 percent and 6.5 percent respectively. The Jeep Patriot was only sold to 621 new customers in 2018, a 98.5 percent loss compared to the 2017 numbers. The model is settling into an irrelevant spot.
Let’s get to the reason why you are reading this, let’s have a look at what you can expect from the 2020 fleet of Jeep models.
The 2020 Jeep lineup
5. The 2020 Gladiator
After years of unconfirmed rumours, we finally get to see the first Jeep pickup truck since the XJ Cherokee-based Comanche which was discontinued in 1992. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a pickup truck based on the Jeep Wrangler SUV.
The 2020 Gladiator is a mid-size truck with the best-in-class towing capacity of 7,650 pounds and a solid payload capability of 1,600 pounds. The new Gladiator has a unique frame that measures 31 inches longer than its SUV sibling. It stands out, although it is based on the design of the Wrangler and shares its Dana 44 solid axles. It also sports a unique five-link coil rear suspension. It does share the same set of removable soft and hard tops, doors, and folding windshield with the Wrangler.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator uses a 5-foot steel bed with aluminum tailgate, this offers both sturdiness and weight savings. It is currently available on the market for $35,000 at the least, with range-topping models reaching as much as $45,000 before extras. It has a 3.6L V6 base engine along with either a standard six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic which is optional. It reaches 285 horsepower with 260 pound-feet of rotational force. This comes in handy if you want to take advantage of the maximum towing and payload capacity.
The Wrangler’s 2.0L turbo four will not be readily available at launch but it will become available at a later stage. The four-banger is available with a mild-hybrid system, as a part of the Wrangler lineup. There is an optional 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque set to join the lineup as well. As you can imagine the oil burner will only further improve the Gladiator’s already impressive towing ratings.
Regardless of which engine you choose, all 2020 Jeep Gladiator trucks are paired with a standard all-wheel-drive system. Entry-level models use the Command-Trac system with a 2-speed transfer case while the Rubicon grade (the most expensive one) has a more advanced Rock-Trac 4×4 system with heavy-duty axles and locking differentials.
4. 2020 Wrangler Plug-in Hybrid
The new 2020 Jeep Wrangler sports a mild-hybrid assist, it is available with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine option. In addition, Jeep is also developing a true hybrid model that will serve as a fuel efficiency cornerstone vehicle for the future.
The upcoming hybrid’s power electronic module will be manufactured in the old Toledo Machining Plant then it will be shipped to the Toledo assembly where the SUV will be put together. There are few additional details about the new Wrangler PHEV, we can safely make the assumption that the final product won’t be vastly different from the conventional models. Apart from the previously mentioned power electronics module which will be mounted under the floor pan between the exhaust and driveshaft, the two vehicles will pretty much be identical.
FCA has not yet disclosed any specific details about which one of their gas engines will be used for the Wrangler plug-in. As it stands, their only plug-in hybrid is the Pacifica minivan, it uses a duo of electric motors, a 16-kWh battery pack and a 3.6L V6 on the lean Atkinson Cycle. The total system output reaches up to 260 horsepower which should be more than enough for a car of Wrangler’s weight and size.
It is still possible for FCA to opt for a smaller 2.0L turbo-four. At this point, all we can really do is speculate. No matter what they ultimately decide on, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid is set to become the most efficient vehicle in the Jeep lineup. We are all waiting for the exact details to emerge including the date of arrival and pricing. in any case, we are sure that Wrangler’s off-road capability won’t suffer in this new model.
3. 2020 Wrangler
If you do not prefer the plug-in hybrid Wrangler, you still have the option of going with the upgraded good old trusted internal combustion engine-powered model. The JL Wrangler came in as a 2018-year model and has proven that it is here to stay for the foreseeable future. This model is a spartan off-road specialist, it holds on to the old ways where advanced safety gear is concerned. In actual fact, it recently earned a one-star rating under the European NCAP crash test governing body. We imagine that most Jeep enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantis will not let that deter them.Although it does not offer you the most contemporary cabin features, the new Jeep Wrangler scores top points in terms of successfully traversing rugged terrains. After all, it was made with that in mind and that is the reason most consumers are drawn to it. In addition, the upper tiers of the model come with more modern infotainment systems, as well as an available 8.4-inch touchscreen display. The upper-tier models do not come cheap since the base models can be yours for around $30,000. We cannot talk about the Wrangle without briefly mentioning it’s road manners that could use some refining. One of the advantages of the next-gen Wrangler is its colourful powertrain palette, it offers something for everyone, you can truly feel like your car is an expression of your personality with the colour choices. Apart from the previously mentioned future Wrangler PHEV, the current lineup offers three distinctive internal combustion power plants.
Most Wranglers are transported from the Ohio assembly with the proven 3.6L Pentastar V6, which is capable of delivering up to 285 horsepower. In addition, in the Sahara trim, the engine now comes standard with a mild-hybrid e Torque assist.
There is an optional mild-hybrid-assisted 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that generates 270 ponies. This gives a massive improvement to the off-roader’s fuel economy by giving back up to 24 miles to the gallon combined. The model is exclusively offered with an 8-speed gearbox. In addition, the Pentastar comes with the option of a proper stick as well.
The middle of 2020 will see the arrival of the 3.0L turbo-diesel V6. It is set to deliver both the efficiency and towing upgrades, all while still providing 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of twist in the process. As you might already know, every Wrangler model is a true 4×4 vehicle no matter how many doors it sports.
2. 2020 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are two of the most iconic Jeep models in many ways. They obviously have had a cult following that has carried on to this day. The Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer were, in fact, manufactured by four different producers over an almost 30 year period. Many will argue that they are the ultimate Jeep models since they went through the Kaiser Jeep, Willys-Overland, AMC, and Chrysler eras.
The iconic models are slated to return after they were discontinued in 1991. There was, of course, ZJ Grand Cherokee’s special Grand Wagoneer release from 1993. The new models are the future of full-size SUVs and will be sure to compete with high-end North American options such as the Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade.
It would appear that there has been a been a delay once again as FCA would like to prolong the DS Ram’s life, due to the unending market demand for it. This makes logical business sense when you consider that the previous generation Ram’s tooling has been paid off, therefore the prices can be considerably cut down. This offers customers a good deal on a fully capable pickup truck while do a fair share to maximize the company’s profits. More importantly, this offers the FCA a great opportunity to take over from General Motors as the second-best-selling pickup truck producer in the United States.
The new and improved 2020 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will most likely arrive for MY 2021, it is possible that we will see them in 2021 as 2022-year models. There is, however, still a possibility that we will see them in 2020, as prototypes and/or test mules.
They revived models will be based on the all-new DT Ram architecture. They are also likely to borrow the full-size pickup truck’s engines. At this point, it will bring the stalwart 3.6L Pentastar V6 and a duo of HEMI V8s to the party. We cannot overlook the fact that the all-new Ram features hybridized powertrains as well.
It is still early days for these models, we cannot even speculate on the models’ exact arrival date and pricing. However considering that they will be in competition with a top of the range body-on-frame SUVs on the market, we can expect the models to take the flagship position in the 2020 Jeep lineup.
1. 2020 Grand Cherokee
FCA is clearly more than ready to cut all its ties with Daimler, one of them is the Grand Cherokee’s biggest platform. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee is around the corner, and it is set to get the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s underpinnings.
The new models will not be too far from the path established path taken by the previous generation. The Grand Cherokee will maintain its spot as a Premium SUV. The luxury vehicle will remain a tech-savvy, highly capable, refined and spacious performer both off and on the road. However, the new generation will not arrive in time for MY 2020, that is the reason why the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee carries over quite unchanged compared to previous rumours. A substantial makeover is also scheduled for the Dodge Durango. The Dodge SUV is set to arrive at an even later date. Considering that they are closely related, we wouldn’t be surprised if the models arrived together.
The 2020 Grand Cherokee is a refined, spacious, and capable SUV with a range of high-end tech and convenience features. The pricing starts from $33,500 and moves to the $53,500 price point for the range-topping Summit grade. As expected, opting for a customized performance-oriented fully loaded Trackhawk model will cost you around $100,000 which of course is just ridiculous.
The2020 Grand Cherokee lineup mostly carries over, but it is worth noting that this time it is without the diesel option which has been removed from the range. The base 3.6L V6 still reaches 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It is combined with 8-speed automatic transmission. It is available in the all-wheel-drive which is standard with V8 selections. It has a 5.7L HEMI V8 that still makes 360 ponies. In addition, the SRT Hellcat-powered 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 717-horsepower help it maintains the coveted title of one of the fastest SUVs on the market today
What’s not new in the 2020 Jeep Lineup
3. 2020 Compass
While FCA doubled the Compass’ sales in 2018 compared to 2017, the compact SUV is still not quite in the clear. It has a number of issues that need to be ironed out before it can be a significant threat to its many competitors.
The 2020 Jeep Compass does come with a more upscale cabin than most of its competitors and it more affordable than other Jeeps. In addition, it sports all the latest technology options, but most of them come at an extra cost, except for the standard 7-inch touchscreen display. One of its major shortcomings is its poor performance in crash tests The IIHS gave it a “Good” overall mark. They do however now have optional active safety systems finally available to order on the base Sport model. The safety systems are only optional, still an improvement from not having them altogether as before.
Another weak point of the $21,000 entry-level model is its unenthusiastic handling, and this is not at all improved in the $30,000 Compass Limited with all-wheel drive. It is worth noting that the Trailhawk models are actually worthy members of the 2020 lineup.
The 2020 Jeep Compass does not have any significant changes for MY 2020. In effect, a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine remains a motivation for purchasing the compact SUV. The engine is just good enough to reach 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of twist, though none of these figures would raise any eyebrows.
There is a choice of three transmission options and a choice of either front or all-wheel drive. Most of the models come with a 6-speed auto, with a 6-speed stick officially being the base gearbox. A new 9-speed automatic is available as an upscale option, but we wouldn’t advise paying extra for it. The nine-speed performs like an old workhorse that you will have to beat every time you need it to perform well, it is not worth it. It is quite sluggish during highway passing, that is a big point of improvement that we would like to see Jeep working on.
2. 2020 Renegade
The Jeep Renegade subcompact is slowly and steadily losing all the charm it was known for when it first arrived a few years ago. Previous fans now see it for what it actually is, it is a fuel-consuming, highly impractical, underpowered and simultaneously rather spartan crossover SUV.
The Jeep Renegade pricing starts at around $22,000, but that gets you next to nothing in the base Sport trim. Quite similar to the Compass, all the Jeep Renegade active safety features are available as higher-tier options, this then raises the subcompact’s prices quite considerably.
However, as Jeep’s smallest SUV sports the Renegade has an upscale cabin compared to its various rivals and it does deliver in terms of off-road capabilities. The 2020 Jeep Renegade is, in fact, one of the best in its class for off-roaders, this is especially relevant when it comes to the dedicated 4×4 Trailhawk trim which costs about $28,000 at the least.
The Jeep Renegade offers a choice of engines, that is where it differs vastly from the slightly larger Jeep Compass. The base unit is the same 2.4L typically aspirated four from the Jeep Compass. It comes in rated at 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque, it has the same woes due to its 9-speed automatic partner.
There is usually an optional 1.4L turbo-four and a 6-speed manual transmission available but these have been cut out for MY 2019 and 2020 models. Instead, the FCA provides a much smaller 1.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The engine relies on what is known as the troublesome ZF automatic.
Both the front and all-wheel drive options are available across the majority of the range, however, they are not available in the Upland and Trailhawk grades. The 2020 Jeep Renegade does not quite excel in terms of performance either but it does have some advantages. The advantages are admittedly limited true, but they are available for all potential buyers who would be willing to take on the 2020 Jeep Renegade as a new purchase.
1. 2020 Cherokee
In general, Jeep Cherokee sales are on a steady rise, as we mentioned early unfortunately that success will be short-lived if FCA fails to make some changes to rectify its shortcomings. The KL Cherokee is fairly recent, it debuted for MY 2014 and underwent a mid-cycle refresh, but it does not have many years left in its life cycle now. This is even more apparent when you consider it from the 2020 Cherokee’s perspective.
In addition, as a compact SUV the 2020 Cherokee does not offer particularly good deals in terms of value for money. It has the disadvantages of sub-par cargo volume, poor fuel economy and it has not performed well in crash test scores. On the plus side, unlike the smaller Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass models, the Cherokee does come standard with a range of advanced safety features and with even more of them available as add on options. It also has a 7-inch infotainment system that comes with all trims and it has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. The 2020 Cherokee also sports an upscale cabin feel which we really appreciate.
Like every other Jeep vehicle, it has off-road credibility, but it is not a fully-fledged off-roader. The base versions of the 2020 Cherokee start from about $26,000, with the range-topping Overland and Trailhawk Elite models costing close to $37,500.
On the plus side, the 2020 Cherokee has three different engines to choose from. Its base engine reaches 180-horsepower 2.4L with a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, the same as the Renegade and Compass.
If you need some more power, you should go for the 3.2L V6 which is capable of 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque. If you want a combination of power and are not too fussy about efficiency, you can go for the new 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which is available since 2019. The final available engine gets up to 270 ponies and 295 lb-ft of rotational force, but it is not compatible with the entry-level Latitude grade. Unfortunately, all the engines are paired with a troublesome 9-speed ZF automatic transmission which is known for struggling to execute smooth transitions. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee does have more pros than cons but most Jeep enthusiasts wouldn’t recommend getting one this late in its life cycle.