Sam Krahn 
After debuting on the Gladiator, the Jeep Desert Rated badge will spread across the Jeep model range to the upcoming Wrangler Mojave, but new information from Motor Trend brings new information about how the desert specific capabilities will make it across the model range. In short, expect the Desert Rated lineup to mirror that of the Trail Rated models. And it could be found on the upcoming Jeep Wagoneer SUV as well as the all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Firstly, Motor Trend’s source says the Desert Rated capabilities will fluctuate across the lineup. In Jeep’s current lineup, there are full-on Rubicon models, and lower level Trailhawk models that all wear the “Trail Rated” badge. For Desert Rated vehicles, Mojave will represent the most extreme desert off-roaders, while Deserthawk will slot underneath.
The upcoming 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wagoneer should get at least a Deserthawk trim level. Because the Jeep Cherokee already has a Trailhawk trim, expect the next generation model to get a “Deserthawk” model as well. Both the Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee are slightly delayed due to the novel coronavirus.
Trail Rated Jeeps need to be capable in five criteria, and Desert Rated models are just the same. Jeep lists these as, “traction, desert prowess, ride control and stability, maneuverability and ground clearance.”
Traditionally, the highest level off-road vehicles from Jeep have been limited to body-on-frame vehicles, such as the Gladiator Mojave. The Rubicon and Mojave badge is only known, for now, to be available on the Wrangler and Rubicon. This leaves the upcoming Deserthawk models to go on to unibody models, like the Grand Cherokee or Compass. Jeep will most likely keep the Mojave and Rubicon names to to the Wrangler and Gladiator models, as they are the most capable off-roaders in the lineup. Still, there’s always a chance that could change.
Moving forward, the Jeep Desert Rated badge will carry across the lineup much like the Trail Rated badge, which is available on every Jeep from the tiny Renegade to the iconic Wrangler. Expect the Wrangler Mojave to be revealed with the badge first, and many Deserthawk models to follow soon after. Jeep is one of the only manufacturers dedicated to a lineup of off-road capable vehicles, so expanding to new terrain types was only a matter of time.
