Jeeps often come Trail Rated. They wear a Jeep Brand Trail Rated badge that denotes a level of prowess and equipment to conquer terrain that the average SUV or truck does not have. Now, there’s also Desert Rated, which debuted at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave. This new badging takes the mission of tried and tested off-roading even further.
What is Trail Rated?
Only four-wheel drive (4×4) Jeep models can earn the Trail Rated badge. But, it’s only the first step. Models that earn that designation have based tests of traction, water fording, maneuvering, articulations, and ground clearance.
Harsh and unpredictable driving conditions including deep mud, loose gravel, and snow are part of the traction testing.
To assist with the water fording capability of the vehicle, Jeep seals electrical connections and body openings, and rearranges the air intake to a higher position, to protect the vehicle in several feet of water. How much water depends on the model.
The best off-roading vehicles are also agile. Jeep tests each Trail Rated model for the ability to deftly dodge obstacles. The Jeeps’ wheelbases and steering are optimized for handling off-road terrain like tight switchbacks and emergency driving situation.
Trail Rated vehicles are capable of impressive articulation thanks to suspension flexibility. Achieving good articulation meal that wheels remain stable and engaged when one or more tires are off the ground.
All of Jeep’s vehicles are available with a Trail Rated badge.Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC
Having Trail Rated ground clearance means that a vehicle has a good amount of room between the bottom of the vehicle and the harsh terrain it will conquer. This means that the Jeep can traverse rocks, water, and logs without damaging the underside of the vehicle. The rating also means that the SUV or truck has high approach, breakover, and departure angles.
To test all of these models, Jeep takes to the Rubicon Trail. Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, the trail is 22 miles of treacherous landscape that will put any vehicle to the ultimate test. The natural off-road adventure park where the trail is located features boulders, water, and well-worn landscape.
Jeep also develops and tests its vehicles at FCA US headquarters in Michigan and beyond, including the harsh winter conditions of Northern Michigan.
What is Desert Rated?
Like Trail Rated vehicles, Jeep’s Desert Rated lineup has been developed and tested in harsh conditions. To earn the Desert Rated badge the 4x4s had to pass traction, desert prowess, ride control and stability, maneuverability, and ground clearance tests.
The Jeep Gladiator Mojave is the automaker’s first model to wear a Desert Rated badge.Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC
Most of that testing is similar to Trail Rated testing, but takes place in a desert climate. Jeep’s Desert Rated vehicles have been engineered to take on the intense heat, coarse sand, loose gravel, and pervasive dust that makes up desert landscape.
The first Desert Rated Jeep is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave. More vehicles that sport the badging are planned.
