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The Jeep Wrangler is as much a lifestyle as a vehicle. The current Wrangler can trace its roots back to the Willys Quad that helped Allied Troops win WWII. Jeep has changed every successive generation as little as possible. But that doesn’t mean every Wrangler out there is the same. There are several very unique configurations made over the years that you can still find on the used market.

2016 Jeep Wrangler JK

First and foremost, Jeep depreciate very slowly. While this is good news for your Jeep investment, it means that it can be hard to find a deal. Especially if you want the most “Jeep” configuration, a two-door, stick shift with the V6.

Here’s the good news, Jeep has built that configuration for decades. And while the Wrangler’s looks have barely evolved with each generations, enough enthusiasts prefer the latest generation that you can save money by going back. Jeep launched the Wrangler JL generation in 2017. So you can save a bit of money by going with a 2016 Wrangler, and you still get a relatively modern SUV.

2004-06 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited

The Wrangler changed forever when Jeep launched the four-door “Unlimited” configuration for the 2007 model year. Sure, two-door Jeeps have a short wheelbase which gives them a nice tight turning radius for off-roading. But try to pack four adults into one for an afternoon of off-roading, and you’ll soon see why they are too small for many enthusiasts. So an entire new market segment began buying Jeeps after 2007.

But before Jeep settled on the four-door Wrangler Unlimited, it experimented with a different configuration: a long wheelbase two-door Unlimited. That’s right, for about 1.5 years you could order a Jeep Wrangler “Unlimited” but instead of four doors it had a long wheelbase, extra room in back, and just two doors. These are quickly becoming collectors’ vehicles, but the prices are not too high for you to buy one and still take it on the trail. And you’ll have one of the most unique Jeep Wranglers around.

2021-present Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Wait, a hybrid Jeep Wrangler!? Yup, the new 4xe has a turbocharged I4 engine and an electric motor/generator. Better yet, it has a large battery pack that you can plug into a charger to give it 20+ miles of all-electric range. You can commute all week in a Jeep EV, then fill up the gas tank, drop the top, and take a long off-roading trip on the weekend.

The Wrangler 4xe ain’t no Prius either. That electric drive unit has a ton of torque. In fact, it makes the same amount of torque (470 lb-ft) as the legendary V8-powered Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 special edition. And that Hemi-powered Wrangler started at $70k and is also becoming a collectors’ item. The Wrangler 4xe is a distinctly Jeep approach to electrification. It is not only one of the most unique Wranglers you can buy, but one of the most unique vehicles of any kind. Period.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.