From Jeep.com


"We test Jeep 4x4s on the toughest trails in the world to prove one thing: They can take whatever you dish out. The Trail Rated badge means that your Jeep 4x4 has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording."

 

Yes there is a criteria Jeeps have to meet . As an example, being able to ford 30" of water, etc. I remember seeing the list but don't remember where.

 

Its a marketing gimmick, look at all the non wrangler vehicles that come with them. Kinda the equivalent of the car worlds Rally Sport badges.

 

Sorta, kinda, but not really.

On one end, some automakers will slap a "Sport" badge on anything with body-colored mirrors and door handles and be done --with Toyota probably being the most shameless at it.

Jeep still requires all Trail Rated models to cross the Rubicon trail before affixing the badge. But I agree, when you cross the Rubicon with a team of 15 support vehicles, and do lots of rock stacking, what does that really mean in the end...?

Aldo

PS: a week ago I saw a 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk go up a pretty challenging rock trail with some good driving and good spotting. It struggled a bit upon approach, but I was very impressed with the rest.

 

its rated for the trail.... duh.

 

Trail Rated means nothing...as each vehicle in the lineup is tested to different standards. So there is no way to have an apples to apples comparison within the Jeep lineup, much less with other brands of vehicles.

 

Trail Rated means nothing...as each vehicle in the lineup is tested to different standards. So there is no way to have an apples to apples comparison within the Jeep lineup, much less with other brands of vehicles.

+1 :thumb:

Even my MINI would earn a "Trail Rated" badge with the standards for such were adjusted appropriately.

 

JK's having 4X4 have a "Trail Rated" badge. 2WD JK's don't have one. It seems having 4WD rates the badge.

 

I didn't even know you could buy a 2WD JK.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrPoU_u3FMs

 

It actually started out as trial rated.
Anybody crazy enough to buy a gas guzzling, money pit hunk of plastic and a little steel should be taken to court. Plead insanity.

 

Yeah, just marketing.

My KJ had it, my JK has it..

My KJ (on the wrong tires) almost got stuck in about an inch of mud.

 

Interesting. Didn't know that

 

Don't forget the other various " ratings"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkD2baUnyRQ

 

So, in short all the jeeps are designed to be jeeps, as long they're Trail Rated!?

 

not really. It depends on what that trail is rated at. a simple country road or forrester trail. most anything can drive.

The only real jeep left is a wrangler. the rest are a type of suv. with independent suspension that ride great on the street.