• In April, the Jeep® design team received the prestigious Car Design Award 2026 for Brand Design Language 

• To mark the occasion, the Jeep Design team captured the core pillars of the brand’s identity in a single sketch  

• The evolution of Jeep® styling continues, recently inspiring new Avenger and new Compass – the brand’s latest models launched in Europe 

The Car Design Award was established in 1984 to recognise projects that have significantly contributed to the evolution of car design. Decided by an international Jury of journalists from international automotive publications, is widely considered the ‘Oscar of world car design’.

The Brand Design Language prize is awarded to the design team that best expresses innovation, formal excellence, and the ability to interpret the new challenges of mobility.

The motivation for the award was: “Without ever betraying its origins, the Jeep design reinterprets unmistakable semantic elements such as the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, transforming them into universal symbols of adventure and freedom. In the era of energy transition, it continues to shape the collective imagination of exploration, making authenticity the cornerstone of every creation.”

Daniele Calonaci, Head of Jeep design in Enlarged Europe, said: “Ours is a unique brand with 85 years of history: we design all models with humility and a spirit of service, offering our interpretation with great respect for the DNA we have inherited. Evolution must always keep in mind the values that make Jeep Jeep. History is the run-up that allows us to leap into the future.”

The overarching principle that drives Jeep styling is ‘design to function’: every line, every detail is there to add a function to the vehicle and its customers. In the pursuit of this fundamental goal, the package combines timeless design and lifestyle .

The identity of the Jeep brand comes from many elements that, when skillfully blended, define what a Jeep truly is. The sketch created by Daniele Calonaci and his team shares the whole recipe, including the key ingredients that define a Jeep.

Capability

Capability is synonymous with Jeep. The first Jeep was imagined to “take you where other vehicles can’t” – and every model still lives up to that aspiration. Every Jeep is designed to tackle demanding off-road obstacles, but also any difficulties drivers might encounter in their everyday routines.  Capability is ensured by short overhangs for optimised approach and departure angles, high ground clearance for rock climbing and water fording, wide trapezoidal wheelarches over large tyres, and a recovery hook in case a friend’s car gets stuck.

Protection

In order to maintain their promise of safety, solidity, and durability, every Jeep is fully protected. A 360-degree cladding shields the lower body. Molded black bumpers and aluminium components preserve the paint, and anti-scratch materials have also been adopted for the Jeep Shield on both Compass and Avenger 4xe. The vehicle radar is positioned to avoid damage in tight spaces, or when encountering obstacles. Headlamps, rear reflectors and front foglights are encased to be protected from minor impacts. The right materials are adopted in the right places to reduce wear and tear, including high-resistance, washable fabrics and the front seat back-panels.

Versatility

Jeep vehicles are made to adapt to all types of routes and driving habits. They are ready for 24/7 use, whether for daily commutes or leisure. They travel with equal ease on offroad trails as on motorways, and on short trips in city centers as the do on long road trips. They are designed to accommodate any powertrain solution – BEV, PHEV, Hybrid, and ICE: a modular approach developed to offer every customer maximum freedom of choice. They can be specified with a large sunroof, for a true ‘open air’ experience, and equipped with roof bars to carry bulky loads or long objects.

Storage

The traditional boxy Jeep shape optimises interior space. The folding rear-seats allow for a variety of load accommodation options, with total cargo volume reaching 1,560 liters when rear seats are folded down. Jeep offer space everywhere: the dashboard is carved at the top, and the interiors are analysed from a stylistic and engineering standpoint to create additional storage compartments.

For more informtion on the Jeep range or to locate the nearest Jeep retailer visit www.jeep.co.uk.

ENDS

Press contacts    

Manesh Taank, PR Manager 07841 569038       manesh.taank@stellantis.com       

Krystyna Perry, Head of PR 07710 062783         krystyna.perry@stellantis.com 

Jeep® Brand

For nearly 85 years, Jeep_® has been a global leader in SUVs, delivering legendary off-road capability, advanced technology and exceptional versatility for those who seek fun and adventure. With a commitment to innovation, the Jeep brand offers a diverse lineup of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, hybrid technology and all-electric drivetrains. Built on a heritage of freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion, Jeep continues to set the standard for rugged and refined vehicles designed to conquer it all.