Slickrock and sand trails
For Moab ledges, Sedona rock steps and Mojave dunes, you want locking axles, real clearance and short overhangs. The Wrangler leads, the Gladiator adds a bed, and the Ram 1500 suits fast desert running.
West CDJR · AK · AZ · CA · CO · HI · ID · MT · NV · OR · UT · WA · WY12 Western states
Pavement ends. Research doesn't.
Trims, prices, tow ratings and plain-English buyer guides for every new Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler, written for drivers from the Rockies to the Pacific and up to Alaska.
Pictured: 2027 Jeep Wrangler
- Ground clearance
- Up to 12.9 in
- Towing
- Up to 5,000 lbs
- Output
- Up to 470 hp
- Starting MSRP
- $36,635*
Choose by terrain
Start with where you drive
Western shopping starts with the road, not the badge. Snow on Snoqualmie Pass, rain in Portland, summer heat in Phoenix, empty highway in Wyoming and gravel in Alaska all change which Jeep, Ram, Dodge or Chrysler makes sense. This site sorts the lineup by those conditions first, then by trim and price, so a Seattle commuter, a Montana rancher and a Moab weekender each get a different short list.
High-country passes
Winter on I-70, Snoqualmie Pass, US-550 or the Sierra rewards standard or available four-wheel drive, steady torque and room for skis and boots. These three cover family hauling from budget to three rows.
Freeway miles and commutes
Long California and Phoenix-area commutes favor efficiency. The Cherokee hybrid needs no plug, the Wagoneer S is a fully electric option, and the Pacifica swallows school runs and airport trips without a fuss.
Towing over grades
Campers to Lake Powell, horse trailers in the Front Range, fifth-wheels over Donner: the Ram 3500 carries the heaviest loads, the Grand Wagoneer tows in luxury, and the Ram 1500 covers lighter trailers.
Leaderboards
The lineup, ranked by the numbers
Ground clearance
Max towing
Best figure the manufacturer lists for any configuration of each model. Towing, clearance and range all vary by trim, axle and equipment.
Why it fits the West
What the West asks of a vehicle
Thin air and long grades
Interstate 70 climbs past 11,000 feet at the Eisenhower Tunnel, and Donner Summit, Snoqualmie and Stevens passes, Mt. Hood and the Wasatch ask the same question: what happens to power when the air thins? Naturally aspirated engines give up more than turbocharged ones. That favors the 420-hp Hurricane six in the Ram 1500, rated to tow up to 11,530 pounds, and the Grand Wagoneer, which tows up to 10,000 pounds in its best configuration. Heavy-duty buyers have the Ram 2500's Cummins diesel, 1,075 lb-ft and up to 20,000 pounds (a preliminary rating). Always check the trailer chart for your exact cab, axle and engine.
Heat, cold and empty miles
Phoenix to Tucson is short. Needles to Barstow, most of Nevada, the empty stretches of Montana and Wyoming and Alaska's gravel-edged highways in deep cold are not. Tank size and highway mpg count for more here than in a dense metro. Jeep estimates the Cherokee hybrid at up to 37 mpg combined and more than 500 miles per tank, and the Grand Cherokee's 23-gallon tank at 26 mpg highway works out to roughly 600 miles, a rough estimate from tank size and EPA mpg. On the electric side, the Wagoneer S is rated at 294 miles, the Charger Daytona up to 267 and the Recon 222. Triple-digit heat, subfreezing cold, climbs and a loaded roof all trim those figures.
Dirt roads, washes and trails
Plenty of Western destinations end on washboard, sand or a creek crossing: Moab's trail network, the red-rock roads around Sedona, Mojave backroads, Idaho backcountry roads and Wyoming ranch gates. Monsoon storms can put water across a dip within minutes. Jeep lists the Wrangler Rubicon with LT315 tires at up to 12.9 inches of clearance and 34 inches of water fording, and the Gladiator at up to 31.5 inches. The Ram 2500 Power Wagon with the HEMI reaches 14.2 inches. On a smaller budget, the Compass Trailhawk sits 8.6 inches off the ground with a 20:1 crawl ratio. Treat fording numbers as ceilings for a properly equipped vehicle, not a challenge.
Field notes
Buyer guides for Western driving
OwnershipOwning a Jeep, Ram or Dodge in Desert Heat, From Cooling Features to Battery Care
Which Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler trims offer ventilated seats, remote start, rear climate and sunshades for Phoenix and Las Vegas heat, plus care tips.
5 min read
ExplainerElectric Jeeps and Dodges for Western Distances, and the Hybrid Alternative
Listed range, charging times and what heat, cold, speed and grades do to range in the Wagoneer S, Recon, Charger Daytona, ProMaster EV and Cherokee.
5 min read
Buyer guideHauling Side-by-Sides and Dirt Bikes to the Dunes With a Ram or Gladiator
Ram 1500, RHO, Ram 2500 and Jeep Gladiator compared for toy hauling to Glamis and Little Sahara, with bed sizes, payload, tow ratings and price notes.
5 min read
ComparisonMoab and Slickrock Trail Specs for the Wrangler, Gladiator, Recon and Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
Ground clearance, approach and breakover angles, lockers and gearing for Jeep trail models, plus practical notes for slickrock, sand and desert washes.
5 min read
Full lineup
Every model, brand by brand
*Manufacturer's suggested retail price, excluding destination, taxes, title and fees. Prices change; confirm with a dealer.