Should You Take the Jeep Comanche Off-Road?
The Comanche was a Jeep/truck mutation out of the 80s and 90s that was an absolute trail boss—learn more about its adventurous specifications here!
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Does anything scream adventure more than fusing a truck-style body with the iconic look of a Jeep? We argue, no! However, the useful design of the Jeep Comanche only scratches the surface of what makes this legendary variant an excellent off-road vehicle.
On this page, the
car insurance
experts at Jerry
analyze the complete specifications of the Comanche, give it an official off-road rating
, and compare it to other similar vehicles—including its predecessor, the Jeep Gladiator.As an additional bonus, we’ll show you
how to save hundreds
on your annual car insurance policy. And that means more room in your adventure budget, so let’s get started!Can the Jeep Comanche go off-road?
Yes! During its short production run from 1986–1992, the Jeep Comanche was a popular off-road pickup truck—selling over 40,000 units in its best years.
Not only were consumers starstruck by the colliding worlds of trucks and Jeeps, but the unique variant was designed with adventure in mind. Here are the specifications that helped the Comanche conquer any terrain in its way.
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Ground clearance
The Jeep Comanche has 9.4 inches of ground clearance, which is right in the sweet spot of the 8.8 to 10.8-inch off-road recommendation. So you’ll have plenty of height to clear obstacles and confidently handle uneven surfaces without the fear of bottoming out.
Angles
Off-roading is all about angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
The approach and departure angles for the Jeep Comanche are 42.5 and 30.5 degrees, respectively. This is similar to that of the classic
Jeep Wrangler
. But remember, you also get all the utility of a truck when you opt for the Comanche! More on that later.Torque
The Jeep Comanche can produce 135 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm with the base four-cylinder engine. This isn’t the most power you’ll find amongst off-road vehicles, but it is highly efficient. But what do we mean by that?
The Comanche is capable of producing low-end torque, which keeps the engine from overworking when you need to maintain momentum over rough terrain without a lot of speed. Without being behind the wheel, it’s a complicated thing to explain—but you know it when you feel it.
For even better access to low-end torque, some models of the Camanche can be found with optional 4.0L V6 engines that produce 224 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm.
Drivetrain
The Camanche was available with either RWD or 4WD. So if you’re looking for a used one, it’s essential to figure out which drivetrain is equipped. Off-road enthusiasts will obviously be more satisfied by the torque and traction control of the four-wheel-drive variant.
Suspension
The Comanche inherited the "Quadralink" front suspension from the XJ Cherokee. The system was designed with coil springs, upper/lower control arms tied to a solid axle, and a Panhard rod to create a smooth ride even over the roughest terrains!
Design
Last but certainly not least—the design! The Comanche looks like the Cherokee in the front but turns into a truck in the back. It was available with either six or seven-foot bed lengths to accommodate all your adventure gear. This unique combination was indeed one of a kind.
Off-road rating: Trail Boss
We’ve rated the Jeep Comanche using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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The Jeep Comanche earns a T “Trail Boss” rating: Seriously, what is there not to love about this off-road icon? It perfectly combines all the advantages of a Jeep and a truck into one beautiful adventure mobile. Hard to imagine giving the Comanche anything other than our top rating.
The best off-road alternatives to the Jeep Comanche
Even though the Comanche is awesome, its unique design isn’t for everyone. Here are some other options (from the past and present) that you can consider to fulfill your off-road dreams and desires:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best traditional alternative | 2001 Jeep Cherokee | $5,000 | If you prefer a more traditional Jeep build, you can't go wrong with an older Cherokee model! |
Best luxury alternative | 1997 Lexus LX450 | $8,000 | All the off-road benefits of the Toyota Land Cruiser, with the luxury touch of Lexus. |
Best modern alternative | 2020 Jeep Gladiator | $33,500 | After 1992, when the Comanche ended production, the Jeep/truck concept was shelved until 2020, when the intimidating and jaw-dropping Jeep Gladiator was released. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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