Jeep, Land Cruiser, and More: 5 Military Vehicles You Can Drive Today

Military vehicles aren’t just for the battlefield they can be thrilling, rugged, and surprisingly practical for civilian life. From the iconic Jeep to the legendary Land Cruiser, these machines are built to handle the toughest terrain and now, some of them can be yours. Whether you’re a collector, an off-road enthusiast, or just curious about driving a piece of history, these five military-inspired vehicles offer a unique mix of durability, style, and nostalgia.

Jeep CJ/Wrangler

I mean, we have to start here, right? It’s the granddaddy of them all. The original Willys MB from WWII is basically the great-grandfather of every Jeep Wrangler you see today. They took the basic idea—simple, rugged, go-anywhere—and just kept making it for civilians. A brand new Wrangler is like, $35,000, but you can get an old CJ-7 from the 80s for maybe $15,000 if it’s not totally rusted out. It’s the most accessible piece of military history you can buy.

Toyota Land Cruiser (J40 Series)

This is the one for the purists. The old, boxy Land Cruiser from the 60s and 70s. Toyota literally designed it to compete with the Jeep for military contracts. And it’s just… unkillable. A simple inline-six engine, leaf springs, no frills at all. But they’re getting really expensive now. A restored one is easily $40,000, maybe way more. But you’re buying a legend. It’s the vehicle that built Toyota’s reputation for toughness.

Hummer H1

The ultimate. This is basically the civilian version of the Humvee, the AM General Hummer. It’s ridiculously wide, it’s incredibly inefficient, it’s loud, it’s uncomfortable… and it’s so unbelievably cool. The presence it has is just insane. Everyone stares. But owning one is a part-time job. They’re complicated, they break, and everything is expensive. A running one might start at like, $30,000 for a rough one, and go up to… well, a lot.

Land Rover Defender

The British Army’s workhorse. That squared-off, aluminum body on a steel frame. It’s got a presence that’s totally different from the Jeep—it’s more… utilitarian chic? Is that a thing? The old Defenders, especially the 90s models, are super desirable now. You’re looking at $30,000 for a rough one and easily $60,000+ for a nice one. And the left-hand drive ones are even more. It’s a lifestyle, for sure.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (Geländewagen)

Okay, now we’re getting fancy. The G-Wagen was designed for, and is still used by, militaries all over the world. But then it became a status symbol. The old ones, from the 80s and 90s, before they got all luxuries up, they’re incredibly capable and built like tanks. They’re actually pretty simple mechanically! But parts are… uh, Mercedes parts. A clean older 300GD might be $25,000 to $40,000 now. It’s the thinking person’s ultra-expensive 4×4.

Willys MB / Ford GPW

The real deal. The actual WWII Jeep. This is where it all started. They’re tiny, they have no doors, a canvas roof, and they’ll do about 45 mph flat out while sounding like a tractor. But the cool factor is a thousand. Everyone waves. You become part of a club. A running, driving one that’s not a total rust bucket will cost you at least $15,000, and nice ones are way more. It’s not a car, it’s a rolling museum piece.

AM General Humvee (CIVILIAN HUMMER)

Wait, no, I mentioned the H1, but you can actually buy the real military Humvee now. Surplus ones hit the market a few years back. But here’s the thing… they’re kinda terrible on the road. They’re slow, they’re deafeningly loud, they leak, they have no air conditioning… and they’re awesome. But you gotta be a special kind of person. They were selling for like $10,000 at auction, but by the time you make it street-legal, you’ve spent a lot more.

Pinzgauer

This is the deep cut. The Swiss Army knife of… well, the Swiss Army. It’s a central tube chassis vehicle with all-wheel drive and portal axles so it has insane ground clearance. It looks like a bread loaf on wheels. They’re not fast, but they’ll go straight up a cliff. They’re super rare in the US, but you can find them. A running 710 model might be in the $20,000 range? It’s for the person who thinks a Land Rover Defender is too common.

GAZ-69

Let’s get Soviet. This was the USSR’s answer to the Jeep. It’s rugged, simple, and has a certain… communist charm. Finding one in the US is hard, and parts are even harder. But if you want something that nobody else at the cars and coffee has, this is it. If you can find one, maybe $10,000? But it’s a project. A huge project. It’s less of a car and more of a history lesson you can sit in.

Dodge M37

The Jeep’s bigger, tougher older brother from the Korean War era. It’s a proper truck, with a powertrain that’s basically a tractor’s. It’s slow, heavy, and incredibly cool. They have a massive following. A restored one can be $25,000 or more, but a project truck can be had for under $10,000. It’s a lot of vehicle, and you’ll need a lot of space to work on it.