Overview
The Jeep Wrangler has been around since the very beginning, and it tells a patriotic story. The Wrangler was inspired by the military Willys Jeeps that helped win World War II. Since then, the Wrangler has taken on civilian form and now has a couple of tires in the luxury market in terms of both price and features. A variety of fuel-swigging powertrains and two body styles help give the Wrangler even more appeal to potential buyers.
The most American Wrangler is the range-topping 470-hp V-8–powered Rubicon 392 model. All Wranglers come with four=wheel drive and a varying set of off=-road capable features. Most models will take you just about anywhere you want to go, as long as you have the driving skills to match.
The Wrangler's shortcomings become apparent when driving on the pavement. Its ride can be jarring over rough roads, and its steering is unclear at high speeds. Additionally, it isn't the most convenient vehicle for running errands. However, Jeep has a faithful following that would never consider owning a Ford Bronco or Toyota 4Runner.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Wrangler's new 3.6-liter V-6 from the last generation is back, and can now be mated with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic--the latter being shiftier and smoother. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also available as an option; it come with an electric motor to give extra low-end power.
Wranglers are born off-road ready, so part-time four-wheel drive is standard across the range and is controlled by a lever on the center console. In our testing, a base two-door Wrangler Sport with the V-6 and the six-speed manual transmission sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds; a well-equipped four-door Sahara model with the automatic transmission did the deed in 6.8 seconds. With the four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, the four-door Sahara was slightly quicker at 6.5 seconds to 60 mph. The Rubicon model and the High Tide model—both of which carry additional weight in the form of heavier-duty off-roading equipment—weren't as quick as the others in our testing.
Although the Wrangler JL's performance has increased from its predecessor, it still doesn't match some of its competitors. The handling is refined compared to before, but it cannot compare to other sport utility vehicles and pickups in terms of suspension or steering response. Additionally, while the four-door model does provide a smoother ride than earlier versions did, there are still notable differences between braking distances on different test vehicles.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
In this segment of gas guzzlers, it doesn't take much to be at the top of the class. The Wrangler's EPA fuel economy estimates put it ahead of rivals such as the Bronco and the 4Runner. The most fuel-efficient version features the diesel engine that tops out at 22 mpg city and 29 highway. The V-6-powered four-door Wrangler Sahara returned a 20-mpg result on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, 3 mpg fewer than its EPA rating for highway fuel economy.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Jeep offers only a handful of optional driver-assistance features but none of the high-tech equipment that we expect to see on vehicles with price tags stretching into the $40,000-plus and $50,000-plus ranges. For more information about the Wrangler's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Will the 2023 Jeep Wrangler change?
Fast-forward to model year 2023, and Jeep has implemented some changes to its bare-bones, base-trim, two-door 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport—while only raising the MSRP by $300 to $30,295.
What will the 2023 Jeep colors be?
For the 2023 Jeep Wrangler (JL), the tradition will continue with two new exterior colors: Earl and Reign. First showcased on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Farout Concept, the new Earl (sales code PGP) is a standout shade of gray with hints of aquamarine.
Are 2022 Jeep Wranglers reliable?
The 2022 Wrangler has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
