All-new 2018 Jeep® Wrangler Sahara 

Engineering,Jeep | August 01 2018

Wrangler Wednesday: All 2018 Jeep® Wranglers are Trail Rated

Each 2018 Jeep® Wrangler model carries a badge to show the world that the vehicle can go anywhere and do anything.

But what exactly is the Trail Rated badge? What does it signify and represent?

It’s actually much more than a badge. For the past 15 years, Trail Rated has been a methodology, a guarantee and a recognized standard for proven off-road capability that Jeep 4×4 vehicles must meet.

Trail Rated is an industry-leading methodology initially established by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) and Jeep Engineering to objectively measure off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles.

These repeatable, consistent and reliable measurements of off-road performance include a combination of natural and controlled field tests on demanding terrain, as well as computer-simulated evaluation tests.

All-new 2018 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon

When the Trail Rated badge is affixed to Wrangler, it certifies that vehicle as designed to successfully pass five performance test categories:

  • Traction: Trail Rated Jeep 4x4s have enough traction and capability to conquer some of the toughest terrain on Earth. The Jeep brand lineup offers a variety of four-wheel-drive systems to suit all kinds of off-road challenges and driving conditions.
  • Water Fording: Trail Rated Jeep 4x4s feature additional electrical and body sealing along with a high air intake to help you navigate streams and flooded underpasses.
  • Maneuverability: Trail Rated Jeep 4x4s have the capability to navigate narrow gaps, dodge emergency situations and avoid cosmetic damage thanks to precision steering and optimized wheelbases, which allow for expert navigation at all times. The smaller the turn radius, the more capable the vehicle is at negotiating narrow gaps.
  • Articulation: Trail Rated suspensions enhance off-road performance by maximizing flexibility, axle articulation and wheel travel.
  • Ground Clearance: Jeep 4x4s are tested for their ability to drive over obstacles, and the criteria includes ground clearance and approach, breakover and departure angles to ensure the vehicle can clear logs, rocks and uneven ground.

The Jeep brand set the standard for off-road capability nearly 80 years ago and has continually delivered on its promise to provide rugged, versatile and innovative four-wheel-drive vehicles.

This experience, combined with innovative technology, makes Trail Rated Jeep Wrangler – and other Trail Rated Jeep vehicles – among the most capable on the planet.

Learn more about the capable 2018 Jeep Wrangler by visiting the Jeep website.

Edward Cardenas
Hello from the Motor City! I’m Edward Cardenas and I’m multimedia editor for Stellantis. As a lifelong Detroiter, I have been surrounded by the automotive industry. I’ve had members of my immediate and extended family work in the industry. I’ve covered it as a journalist and advocated for it as
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Hello from the Motor City! I’m Edward Cardenas and I’m multimedia editor for Stellantis. As a lifelong Detroiter, I have been surrounded by the automotive industry. I’ve had members of my immediate and extended family work in the industry. I’ve covered it as a journalist and advocated for it as a communications professional. I have also experienced the thrills of the industry while riding in a race car at nearly 200 miles per hour. Having this breadth of experience, I look forward to drawing upon my experiences to bring a wide range of stories, photos and videos about Chrysler, FIAT and Alfa Romeo to Stellantis Digital Media. When I’m not covering my brands, I’m spending time with my wife and two boys.