Competition Be Damned — Jeep Still Rules Where the Road Ends

Adventurous trucks and SUVs have found a new level of fandom in a post-pandemic world, with what seems like an ever-increasing number of entries to pick from.

Of course, they cater to different tastes and tasks, with some simply looking the part — check out the hybrid-only Honda CR-V TrailSport, for instance — and others taking it to new extremes. The very idea of a Toyota Tacoma with an onboard air compressor seems absurd, and yet here we are. And while it’s important not to overstate the situation too much, it’s hard to imagine any of this happening without the Jeep brand being right there in the mix.

Its entire existence has been predicated upon capability, parlaying what started as a purpose-made military vehicle during World War II into one of the most iconic automobiles of all-time. In doing so, it has helped shepherd into existence an entire industry within an industry. And in spite of the competition that’s emerged in recent years, Jeep is always poised to prove how seriously it takes its place in the past, present, and future of adventure-ready motoring.

Make ‘em Like They Used To

There’s no denying that the pressure on Jeep’s products has ratcheted up in recent years, with the reborn Ford Bronco in particular nipping at the bumper of its flagship Wrangler. Then there’s the Toyota 4Runner that’s offered in the choice of TRD Pro or Trailhunter treatments, just like the Tacoma — a truck that’s long been measured against the Nissan Frontier. (Those and others like them came before the Gladiator that’s basically a Wrangler with a bed bolted to it.)

But the people behind the brand don’t seem particularly concerned — at least not outwardly. It’s not that they don’t care, mind you. Instead, they seem confident — both in the products themselves that are at the core of Jeep’s very identity, as well as their capacity for even more capability despite their decidedly old-school approach to adventure.

Where others have opted for independent front suspension setups, the Wrangler and Gladiator still use solid axles. The compromise that comes with them is immediately apparent on the open road, with both Jeeps — but especially the Wrangler — meandering like hunting dogs who lost whatever scent they were searching for long ago. There’s an old adage about the Wrangler going anywhere except a straight line, and it’s as true today as it’s ever been.

But then there’s a robustness that comes with those hulking hunks of steel, and it comes in handy when heading off the beaten path. The familiar sound of rock reverberating through the hardened shell of a Dana 44 is as synonymous with this Jeep thing as rubber ducks and seven-slot grilles. It’s often accompanied by a shudder and a sigh of relief — reminders that no matter how harrowing the journey, the stuff a Gladiator or Wrangler rides on is made to survive.

Passion Meets Profession

That doesn’t mean these fraternal twins haven’t evolved over the years. If that were the case, Aleks Tonkovich would likely be out of a job. Born and raised near Toronto in Acton, Ont., he’s the engineer who heads the development of both of the brand’s marquee models, and he lives and breathes this stuff. It’s not just the products he’s in charge of, either. He owns Jeeps old and new, and he credits his dad’s Cherokee during his childhood years with sparking his passion.

“My story with Jeep really started almost 30 years ago,” Tonkovich said. “Coming out to these trails when I was young is what spurred a huge passion in me.”

That stuff also makes him one helluva guy to hang out with on the trail. That we happen to be doing so with a collection of his latest creations in an area of Central Ontario he spent his formative years four-wheeling makes it that much more special. Imagine sitting down for dinner with Susur Lee at one of his signature restaurants and you’ll start to get a sense of what it’s like to spend time with Tonkovich in a scenario like this.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Concession Lake Trail near Bobcaygeon, Ont., the 20-km or so course cuts through a mix of moderate and challenging terrain that’s typical of the area and its Canadian Shield rock. While it isn’t as extreme as the Rubicon Trail that became the namesake for the most capable kit offered on both the Wrangler and Gladiator, it’s the sort of place underprepared adventurers can learn hard lessons and be humbled in a hurry.

Way Beyond the Beaten Path

On this particular day, a deluge leaves the area looking like a fine place to play with a convoy of Jeeps, with the series of rock formations that dots the trail separated by slick mud and standing water. In short, it’s paradise, with perfect temperatures in the high teens — Celsius, of course; this is a Canadian adventure, after all — and the changing colours of the leaves characterizing a late-summer excursion like this one.

Your humble author usually isn’t picky when it comes to this kind of stuff, but there’s something about the stance of that four-door Wrangler finished in Hydro Blue, its fender extensions struggling to stay on top of the enormous all-terrain rubber, that has a certain gravitational pull. And so we head out, the tires aired down to an appropriately low 20 psi or so, Tonkovich leading the way in his specially outfitted Gladiator that’s something of an aftermarket validation vehicle.

It isn’t long before he’s out of the driver’s seat and taking on the role of spotter, using hand signals to help guide us over treacherous terrain. Tonkovich knows these vehicles — and these trails — and it shows, his confidence quickly spreading to the rest of the group. With the calming presence of a Kindergarten teacher and the commanding knowledge of a college professor, he helps us pick and pluck our way up and over obstacles with relative ease.

There’s a sense of mechanical fortitude inside this Wrangler, too. With the transfer case’s low-range gearing selected for optimal crawl control and the front sway bar disconnected for maximum suspension articulation — and one or both differentials locked, depending on the situation — the Rubi’s doing its best impersonation of an alpine goat. Even without Tonkovich’s expert guidance, it takes little more than a good line and steady inputs to make headway.

Final Thoughts

The occasional scrape of a skid plate echoes deep into the woods like thick nails on an enormous chalkboard, with the Gladiator in particular prone to making noise thanks in large part to its longer wheelbase. We’ve made it out and back almost entirely unscathed save for the parts designed to absorb blows — because it’s better those than vital components.

Stellantis’s media handlers dubbed this September event “back to (off-road) school,” but it’s more like a not-so-subtle reminder that when it comes to the trail, Jeep is still king. For what the Gladiator and Wrangler lack in on-road civility, they more than make up for with a rare kind of capability. It’s about more than their antiquated approach, too. Yes, these are dyed-in-the-wool descendants of the World War II-era Willys MB, but they’re built to stay at the head of the pack.

“Immitation is certainly flattering, but we are who we are and we’re going to continue to push the envelope,” Tonkovich said. “Not because somebody else is doing it, but because this is what we are, this is what we do, and this is what we’re going to continue doing.”