Jeep has a reputation for affordability. Although the brand is considered a status symbol in China, most people don’t associate Jeep with luxury. They do associate it with dependability, strength, and superior performance.
However, strength and luxury do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Many special edition Jeeps have been created that have offered high-end features and sophisticated design while staying true to their powerful and rugged roots.
With the luxury features came luxury pricing. You won’t find these top-of-the-line Jeeps for sale at your local dealership, but you may get lucky to find them at auction if you are a true Jeep enthusiast and have the budget to indulge your collecting zeal.
Here are five of the most expensive Jeeps ever sold:
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2
The fourth edition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the WK2, which has received the most awards of any SUV in the Jeep line or by any other model. All together, the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 won 30 awards ranging on everything from safety to luxury. It was also recognized for overall best in class.
The WK2 has a 5.7-liter, V8 engine that has 360 horsepower. The Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 builds on the strength for which the Jeep brand is known, but it also performs in a way that Jeep owners might not expect. The model can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.1 seconds, and it can reach top speeds of 129 mph.
The WK2 edition keeps the classic Jeep design, but it updates it with a smooth, modern look. It includes a light interior with polished, wood accents and advanced controls.
The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 sold for $70,000.
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
The Grand Cherokee is the high-end model of the Jeep line, even in the standard lineup. Yet it also ends up being the standout in Jeep’s line of special edition, luxury models.
The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has an intimidating presence on the road. The SRT8 has an elegant silhouette and a glossy, onyx shell that projects luxury and sophistication. This special edition turns heads on the road, and people will think there are celebrities or heads of state inside, being chauffeured to their next high-profile event.
The interior looks just as good as the outside, featuring floor-to-ceiling black accents on the upholstery, carpeting and dash.
Under the hood, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has a 6.1-liter, V8 engine that has 420 horsepower. That power can make it go from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds, beating out the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2. The SRT8 reaches top speeds of 152 mph.
The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 sold for $80,000.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
The SRT8 line continued with its tradition of luxury and innovation through the years, and the 2012 model was another standout for Jeep.
The 2012 SRT8 model featured many of the same exterior and interior styling elements of the previous models, losing none of the sophistication for which the model was known. A few more technological bells and whistles were added to the interior, creating a more comfortable ride and offering more convenience features.
However, where the 2012 SRT8 model really stood out was its powerful engine. In fact, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was considered to be the most powerful Jeep ever built.
The 2012 SRT8 model has a 6.4-liter, HEMI V8 engine with 465 horsepower. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, and it reaches top speeds of 155 mph. While those numbers are not significantly different from the 2006 model, even incremental changes can make a huge difference in the way a vehicle handles when you are behind the wheel. Lucky owners felt that power, earning this special edition a place as one of the most sought after and expensive Jeep models.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 sold for $120,000.
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT WK2
The Jeep Grand Cherokee dominates the upper echelons of the Jeep hierarchy, and the model only continued to innovate on previous designs to become better and better through the years.
The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT WK2 looks like it would be right at home cruising the streets of Hollywood or outrunning paparazzi. The gorgeous design is fit for celebrity, but it offers a roomy enough ride to please even those who are not hunkering down in the back trying to get a bit of privacy.
The interior features leather seats and trim throughout, as well as real wood accents. Everything from the steering wheel to the shifting knob is covered in genuine leather, and polished chrome creates a nice accent that adds a little glitz to the interior.
The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT WK2 has a 6.4-liter, V8 engine with 468 horsepower. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 5 seconds flat, and it has top speeds of 160 mph.
In addition to the more powerful engine, this special model included a new four-wheel independent suspension system that allowed for better handling in all driving conditions. While most drivers would probably not want to off-road in such a gorgeous-looking vehicle, they could drive these Grand Cherokee just about anywhere.
The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT WK2 sold for $130,000.
Jeep Hurricane Concept
The Jeep Hurricane was introduced as a concept vehicle at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, but it was never produced for commercial sale. The unique design looked more like a mashup of a Jeep and a monster truck than anything you would see when looking for Jeeps for sale at your local dealership.
The Jeep Hurricane features a one-piece body made of carbon fiber, a strong yet lightweight material that allows for improved performance yet lower fuel consumption. The body is connected to the chassis by an aluminum spine.
Like other Jeeps, the Hurricane has no side doors. Unlike other Jeeps, it also doesn’t have a roof. Clearly, this is a car for fun off-roading, not for long-distance or everyday driving.
The Jeep Hurricane has a 5.7-liter, 8-cylinder HEMI engine that has 670 horsepower. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, and it reaches top speeds of 155 mph.
Though it was never produced for commercial sale, the Jeep Hurricane won an IDEA Silver Award and a “Best of What’s New” award from Popular Science.
The car sold for $2 million, making it the most expensive Jeep of all time.
While you likely won’t find any of these Jeeps for sale at your local Jeep dealership, you will find a lot of the same design that went into their styling and their automotive technology. You may not get the exact same features, but you can enjoy a luxurious ride in a powerful Jeep, making you feel like a million bucks — even if you didn’t have to spend that much.
