Off-road vehicles currently represent one of the most popular classes. For example, in the Russian market they occupy about 40%. In local conditions, SUVs are especially in demand. At the end of the twentieth century, when there were relatively few such models, they were considered prestigious as a type. With the increase in the number of car classes and their mixing, the variety of both cars in general and SUVs in particular has grown significantly. And now to determine the coolest jeep is not easy.
Features
Currently, the concept of "jeep", or "SUV," is very vague. This is due to the mixing of car classes, which began by the end of the last century. Prior to this, cars were clearly divided into cars and off-road. However, in the late 90's. manufacturers began to mix them to get the most versatile machine possible. The jeep began to take on the features of passenger cars. Mercedes Benz was the first to take this path, launching the ML in 1997. Lexus joined it the following year, launching the RX, and in 1999 BMW with the X5. Unlike traditional SUVs, these models were focused on operation on solid roads, and on cross-country ability they only slightly exceeded conventional passenger cars. This is because these cars were built on passenger platforms, so they had a load-bearing body, simplified all-wheel drive systems, and poor geometry. Such cars began to be called parquet SUVs, or crossovers. Over time, models appeared with mono-drive options.
Criteria
Since modern cars have become very versatile and multi-functional, but at the same time diverse, it is not easy to single out the coolest jeep among them. It is much easier to determine it by one parameter among machines of the same class. And even in this way it is difficult to identify a specific model, since due to serious competition, cars can be very close in parameters.
Moreover, in any case, coolness is a subjective characteristic. Therefore, in view of the fact that this article is compiled on the basis of both technical characteristics and ideas of the public masses about the prestige of various models, the information given in it may not coincide with personal opinions.
SUVs
A traditional large frame jeep can focus on two qualities. This is cross and comfort.
Walkable
Initially, patency was the main characteristic for SUVs. On its basis, they appeared. Such traditional models have a frame structure, plug-in four-wheel drive, often a short three-door body to improve geometry, a high-torque diesel or gasoline engine that lowers the number of transmissions, center and inter-wheel locks. Moreover, they differ in very simple interiors, where almost no attention is paid to comfort. To date, there are almost no such machines. These include only Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Jimny and UAZ Hunter. Although these models have always been few. Of the previously produced cars, Land Rover Defender can be noted, the production of which was stopped at the beginning of this year. The coolest jeep available now is the first. The other two models are budgetary, and the Wrangler is not only functional, but also a prestigious car.
Comfortable
Typically, this type of car is a large jeep that is larger than the cars discussed above. These models differ from them in comfortable interiors, trimmed at the level of premium cars using high-quality materials. In addition, they have many electronic systems focused on both comfort and cross-country ability. According to the last parameter, these jeeps are usually slightly inferior to the models considered above, but still at a high level. These vehicles include the Lexus LX, Range Rover, Mercedes Benz G, Cadillac Escalade. Of the older models, this is the Hummer H1 and H2, Lamborghini LM002 and Infiniti QX (current generation with a supporting body).
Universal
Such options do not belong to high-end cars, but have a fairly comfortable interior and patency at the level of cars of the previous type. Moreover, they are very prestigious. The coolest among these models in the CIS is Toyota Land Cruiser. Also worth noting are numerous American full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe. In the old days, Mitsubishi Pajero (although it is smaller) and Nissan Patrol, which now switched to carrying bodies, were highly valued among this class.
Crossovers
As noted, many of these cars can be considered passenger models of cross-country ability. They have load-bearing bodies, simplified all-wheel drive systems. Now there are much more such models than traditional SUVs. Although mostly among large cars there are classic jeeps that switched to supporting bodies, which by their functional qualities are still referred to as SUVs (for example, Nissan Patrol). Among crossovers, there are many cool and massive economical models.
Large and medium
Of the large models, the most cool are the Infiniti QX, Mercedes Benz GLS.
The mid-size premium crossovers with which this class of cars began are also very prestigious. Namely: Infinity FX, Lexus RX, Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz GLE, BMW X5 / X6, Porsche Cayenne, Jaguar F-pace, Range Rover Sport. Previously, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery were highly valued, which appeared long before all the named models, but then were pushed into the background by them.
Sports
The advantage of crossovers over SUVs is almost passenger handling. Therefore, among them there are many sports options, most of which are represented by forced modifications of the above models. These are the Infinity FX50, Mercedes Benz GLE AMG, BMW X5 / X6 M, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, powerful versions of the Porsche Cayenne and Jaguar F-Pace. Although there are more exclusive cars originally sports orientation: Maserati Levante and Bentley Bentayga.
Among these models, despite their diversity, one can still single out the coolest jeep at least in terms of speed characteristics. This is the Bentley crossover, as it is currently the fastest car of this class, ahead of the Porsche Cayenne, which previously occupied this place.
Tuning
However, when choosing a car, even from the above models, there is still a chance to meet almost the same on the road. Therefore, it is widely believed that you can create a truly cool car only by tuning.
Tuning jeeps, like other cars, can be divided into external and functional.
Modifications of the latter type also have several directions for SUVs: cross-country ability, dynamics, comfort.
Patency
With this tuning, improvements are used that increase the ability of the car to overcome off-road. For classic SUVs, this characteristic is especially important. The jeep was originally intended for this.
Usually off-road improvements begin with a change in the chassis. This type of tuning involves the modification of primarily the wheels and suspension.
The simplest option is the installation of off-road tires, which increase the grip on the ground.
The next stage is the elevator (increase in ground clearance). The easiest way to do this is by installing spacers and larger diameter wheels. Thus, only frame models of jeeps can be lifted. A more complex and at the same time effective solution is the suspension lift kit, which includes reinforced springs and longer shock absorbers. This increases not only the ground clearance, but also the suspension moves. A particularly difficult method is the installation of portal bridges. However, this requires a change in the transmission and is not applicable to all cars.
You should also refine the transmission. The main improvements for SUVs are differential locks and center locks.
The first allows you to optimally distribute torque to the wheels during slipping. There are several options for such devices: limited slip differentials, automatic and manual locks, self-locking differentials, overrunning clutches. For proper tuning, you need to know their features, as some devices are ineffective on the roads, while others complicate road operation.
Center locks are used to optimally distribute torque between the axles.
Finally, you can improve the body. This involves the installation of power elements, represented by protective sheets, power bumpers and sills. The sheets serve to protect the engine, transmission, steering rods and other units from bumps from below. Bumpers and sills cover the body.
Improving engine performance is less common in off-road tuning than in sports. Usually, jeep models with initially insufficient characteristics are modified in this way. Moreover, off-road engine tuning is different from sports. Productivity increases are achieved by similar methods, but they use different settings: if it is important to increase power for sports, then for off-road performance is more important.
There is an extensive range of accessories for SUVs.
Often prepared jeeps are equipped with self-pulling winches. It is advisable to install one front and one back.
Also a very useful device for overcoming off-road is a compressor for pumping wheels. It allows you to quickly and conveniently change the pressure in them for various conditions.
To overcome the fords, you need to install a snorkel on the car. This part is an engine air intake brought up to the top, one that has a standard machine under the hood. It is also advisable to equip the jeep with waterproofing the wiring and bring up the transmission breathers.
Other tuning
Modifications of other directions (dynamics, comfort) of SUVs are carried out by the same methods that are used for cars.
In any case, by tuning, you can create the coolest jeep, even from an initially simple model.