Country & Base – USA – Toledo
Key Models:
- Compass [compact 4x4]
- Patriot [compact 4x4]
- Wrangler [compact 4x4]
- Cherokee [medium 4x4]
- Grand Cherokee [large 4x4]
RAC Cars Need To Know:
Jeep is another manufacturer whose response to the financial crisis has been to retrench and concentrate on its core money spinners. Therefore you'll no longer find the Cherokee or the Patriot models being offered for sale in dealers, although they do make possibly the most interesting used buys in the range.
The Jeep Patriot was the more squared-off version of the compact Compass model, and it was cheap when new and but has held its value reasonably well. The interior is a bit basic but it's surprisingly hard-wearing and the Patriot has some impressive off-road chops. You'll pay around £7,000 for a tidy 08 plated 2.0-litre CRD diesel in Sport trim, which seems fair value for money.
The larger Jeep Cherokee, is available from £13,000 in post-2008 generation guise, recognisable by its square rather than round headlights. This would net you a 2.8-litre CRD Sport version again, and not a lot gets close as a vehicle capable of handling both road and ruts. By contrast a 2008 diesel Land Rover Freelander would still represent the thick end of £19,000.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD diesel also deserves a mention as a used buy. Some magazines slated this model rather unfairly when it was new, but heavy discounting meant that it actually sold extremely well. With prices starting at around £8,500, it's also become something of a used hero car too. Let's raise one to the underdog.
