Decoding Car Design: How Jeep’s DNA Sets the Stage for Off Road Life
Jeeps are distinctive. But it’s the dedication to the details that keeps them so.
When I ask Jeep owners if they’ve found all the Easter Eggs in their Jeep I often get a quizzical look. What?
Easter Eggs are the tell-tale iconic images that celebrate the brand’s heritage and are hidden throughout the SUV. From the Willys Jeep climbing the corner of the windshield (Willys is the original Army-issue Jeep) to the Sarge Grille (the seven slot grille framed by two round headlights) that makes an appearance in obvious and less than obvious places, Easter Egg hunting has the sport of Jeep enthusiasts and the delight of those who weren’t really in on the game but enjoyed watching it unfold over years of ownership.
Related: Going off road is so much more civil in the redesigned Jeep Wrangler
Not Just an Off Road Journey; a Visual and Intuitive One, Too
But as Jeep’s models have been updated, especially the Wrangler which is priced from $28,000 to $58,000 for the fully outfitted Rubicon model we highlighted here, the design team has taken the idea further: Each feature in a Jeep is designed to visually convey a deeper meaning. And it’s meant to indoctrinate you deeper into the Jeep life.
The designer’s challenge has gotten more complicated in recent years. Not only is there more design to incorporate with all the new functions and features in cars, but designers need to make it more intuitive, too; they need to give visual and ergonomic cues as to what the item is and how it should be used. Jeeps designers met these challenges—and opportunities— at almost every turn.
Related: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon review: This is the ultimate adventure machine
Design That Lets You Know What This 4X4 Can Do
For the Jeep Wrangler this dedication to engraining the DNA of the brand goes even deeper. The Wrangler is designed to come almost completely apart, as original Willys were. You can take off the roof, the side panels, the doors, the roof, even the wind shield folds down for those days you want a truly authentic Jeep experience.
But in reality, most owners are not going to spend hours pouring over the Jeep’s manual to figure out how to take apart and re-assemble the Wrangler. So, the design team needed to make it clear in an intuitive and accessible way.
The result? DNA-inspired design, with a few Easter Eggs tossed in for good measure. After all, who doesn’t love Easter Eggs?
Related: Get your car ready for hiking. What you need to know for a successful trip
What We Listened to in the Jeep Wrangler
Our favorite Jeep playlist!
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