The Jeep brand has long been synonymous with off-road prowess, dating back to 1940 with the introduction of the Quad 4×4. The automaker proved itself in the harshest conditions during World War II and continued to innovate in the four-wheel-drive SUV marketplace for many years to return. Various standout models similar to the CJ-8 Scrambler, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler are considered a few of the best Jeeps of all time.
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Beginning in 2004, the Trail Rated badge began appearing on select Jeep models and included a series of off-road tests developed by the Nevada Automotive Test Center. It’s one thing for a automobile manufacturer to advertise off-road capability, but the Trail Rated badge proves it in five categories measuring traction, water wading, maneuverability, articulation and ground clearance.
The Trail Rated badge might be found on all Wrangler models, including the 4xe, Gladiator, Compass Trailhawk, Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe and Grand Cherokee Overland. We recently had the opportunity to check the automaker’s latest model in our 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe review and found benefits in its quiet and stable performance, but were a bit shocked by the price. Fortunately, there are more economical options, similar to the Tractor Supply 125cc Massimo Mini Jeep, which has grow to be a popular off-road vehicle for people over the age of 16 who have to get around a large property.
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Moving around in the field
For a Jeep vehicle to earn the Trail Rated badge, it must meet a series of challenges that begin at Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s state-of-the-art headquarters. After successfully completing some initial testing at the automaker’s facility, Jeep models are then subjected to a big selection of conditions in locations similar to northern Michigan and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.
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The first performance metric is traction, where the Jeep must move forward under control on surfaces similar to mud, sand, snow and ice. A model wanting to earn the Trail Rated badge must perform well on each slippery roads and steep, sloping trails designed to cover a number of terrain.
The Jeep vehicles must then prove they’ll navigate water, ensuring the seals holding the electrical components stay dry and the raised air intake protects the engine. For example, the Trail Rated Compass Trailhawk can drive through water as much as 50 cm high.
The tests also include maneuverability on treacherous and uneven terrain, in addition to articulation parameters, similar to wheel contact with the ground when driving on rocks. Articulation also includes flexibility built into the suspension, which provides traction even when a number of wheels are in the air.
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Finally, an off-road ground clearance test is performed, which measures approach and departure angles to assist assess how well the Jeep can overcome external obstacles, similar to rocks, without getting stuck.
