2022 Jeep Wrangler

Few vehicles scream American Freedom like the Jeep Wrangler. President Eisenhower called the jeep one of the three decisive weapons the US had at its disposal during WWII. We use the lowercase "j" because, during the war, this light reconnaissance and transport vehicle was built by various manufacturers and the word "jeep" was simply army slang for these GP - or General Purpose - vehicles. Still, the result remains the Wrangler.

The Wrangler is iconic. Without it, other hardcore off-roaders like the Suzuki Jimny, Land Rover Defender, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class likely wouldn't exist. But it's been 77 years since the war ended, and yet the Wrangler still relies on decades-old tech like solid front axles. Similarly, in two-door guise, the engine options seem equally dated with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 still doing duty to the tune of 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, in a bid to move with the times, there's a mild-hybrid version of the same, and a downsized 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Whichever way you cut it, though, the Wrangler is no-doubt one of the best 4x4 vehicles on the planet, even if that comes at the expense of on-road manners that rivals have adopted.

In 1987 Jeep launched the Wrangler YJ, and it had square headlamps. No big deal, surely? Nope. The Jeep loyalists went mad. It had everything else a Wrangler should have, but it was shunned because it didn't have round headlamps. So while some might criticize the new Wrangler for looking exactly like the old one, we reckon it was in the lead designer's best interest. A soft-top is standard, but a hardtop is optional across the range. The base model comes with black 17-inch steel wheels, while the rest of the line-up features alloy and tire sizes best suited to their specific niche. Fog lights are also standard across the range, while LED lights are optional on all trims but the base model. Last, the special-edition derivatives each arrive sporting various trim-specific elements like black grilles and model-specific decals.

On the roofing front, a three-piece black hardtop is available for $1,595, and a body-colored hardtop for the Jeep Wrangler has a cost of $2,595, but not all trims can be specified with this option. The soft top can also be swapped out for a Premium Black Sunrider Soft-Top for $595, while a Premium Tan soft-top is $795.

In this two-door, short-wheelbase guise, the 2022 Wrangler has an overall length of 166.8 inches and a tiny wheelbase that's just 96.8 inches long. It's 73.8 inches wide and 73.6 inches tall. The ground clearance is 9.7 inches on most models, but the Rubicon has a proper 10.8 inches of ground clearance. The standard curb weight varies between trims and engine configurations with the lightest model weighing 3,919 pounds and the heaviest at 4,406 lbs.

The off-road measurements are impressive across the range. The approach, breakover, and departure angles are 41.4, 25, and 35.9 degrees on standard models, but the Rubicon takes things up a notch to 44, 27.8, and 37 degrees, respectively.

The Wrangler is available in a wide selection of colors. There are 10 options, to be precise, with Bright White Clear-Coat being the only standard option. The rest of the exterior hues all cost $295 except for the $245 Tuscadero Pearl-Coat and all hues are available on all trims. Some of the so-called premium options are pretty sedate and fly under the radar like the simple Black Clear-Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic, Sting-Gray, and Silver Zenith Clear-Coat (replacing last year's Billet Silver Metallic), but more vibrant hues like Hydro Blue and Firecracker add some pizazz. Of course, you could always go for the army green shade called Sarge, but we're more partial to vivid hues like the brand-new Tuscadero Pearl-Coat, although Snazzberry also looks particularly cool in an understated kind of way. Besides Billet Silver, the other colors that disappear from the 2022 palette are Nacho, Hellayella, and Chief.

As alluded to earlier, the Wrangler recipe is not to be messed with. That's why it's still a hardcore off-roader and not a soft crossover, and that's likely why the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine is carried over from the previous model. It produces 285 hp and 260 lb-ft. Jeep makes two alternatives available. The first option is a 2.0 turbocharged four-pot at a saving of $500, but you pay $2,500 for the eight-speed automatic that goes with it. However, the second alternative retains the V6, adding FCA/Stellantis's eTorque mild-hybrid assistance and a 48-volt motor that adds a low-down torque boost under certain circumstances, or powers ancillary items for improved gas mileage.

The off-road performance of the Jeep Wrangler SUV is much more relevant than 0-60 times. There are various gearing options available for the Wrangler, and customers choose the one most applicable to what they intend to drive on or over. Four 4x4 drivetrains are also available, a standard part-time system, a full-time variable system, or the Rock-Trac system on the Rubicon, which makes full use of the shortened wheelbase for extreme off-road prowess. This year, the Rubicon can be had with a 4.88 axle ratio right from the factory that provides a genuine 100:1 crawl ratio for extreme off-road work. As far as practicality goes, though, the two-door Wrangler isn't the best hauler, with a maximum towing capacity of only 2,000 lbs.

The standard engine option is the 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V6, serving the Wrangler loyally since 2012. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, but an eight-speed automatic transmission is available, which automatically adds mild-hybrid assistance. The V6 provides adequate power with outputs of 285 hp and 260 lb-ft, but it feels unrefined, and it has a bit of a drinking problem. Jeep offers a cure for the latter in the form of mild-hybrid assistance, with the eTorque 48-volt electric motor acting as a starter-generator, and powering ancillary functions to reduce fuel consumption. Importantly, this can't be had with the manual gearbox.

The other alternative is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot. It develops 270 hp, 15 hp less than the V6 but more importantly, it has 295 lb-ft of torque, 35 more than the bigger capacity engine. The four-banger can only be mated to the eight-speed automatic. Choosing between them will be a personal preference. Loyalists will continue to buy the V6, while early adopters and people who are semi-bothered by global warming will likely select the 2.0-liter or the mild-hybrid model. Both engines perform admirably off-road, offering more than enough grunt in low-range to thrust the 4,000-lb Wrangler up and over just about everything.

The Wrangler has never felt at home on-road, and the current model continues that tradition. The eight-speed automatic transmission tries its best to modernize the driving experience, but the rest of the package drags it down.

The Wrangler does have handling, but it's best described as something that you endure on journeys between off-road trails. We wouldn't call it dangerous, as it has a few electronic nannies that look after you, but still, you need to be aware that you're driving an old-school off-roader with a ladder-frame chassis with solid-axle suspension. Add a short wheelbase to the mix, and you have the recipe for a car that can become quite gnarly in the wrong conditions. Just know that if you want to buy a Wrangler as a fashion statement, it will annoy you.

But if you want to do some hardcore off-roading, you came to the right place. Not all Wranglers are created equal. The standard 4WD has a transfer case that offers 2H, 4H, and 4L. On-road, you have to use the rear-wheel-drive 2H, unless you want some serious repair bills resulting from axle bind. Full-time 4WD is available on the Sport and Rubicon.

The Rubicon is the most capable Wrangler there is. It has lockable diffs front and rear, shorter axle gearing, and all sorts of body protection to ensure you don't damage it while off-roading. It also has a front stabilizer bar that you can electronically disconnect for better wheel articulation. Jeep is also blessing the Rubicon with Off-Road Plus as standard. It's essentially a driving mode for extreme off-roading and adjusts the throttle, transmission shift points, and traction control. You can enhance it even further by adding the heavy-duty Rock-Trac full-time 4WD system with a 4:1 crawl ratio. A 4.88 axle ratio with a true 100:1 crawl ratio is available from this year on this trim with the V6 engine only.

Other models in the line-up borrow parts of the Rubicon, but none are as extreme. The Willys Edition, for example, gets the Rubicon's rock sliders, shocks, and 32-inch tires, but it only has a limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

The difference in capability between the Rubicon and the Sport is vast, but that doesn't make the Sport a terrible off-roader. It can still handle tough obstacles with ease. We attended the Wrangler launch in Austria in 2018, and the Sport handled the 4x4 track in the Alps with ease. There was only one section entirely dedicated to specifically showcase how the locking differentials work. A Sport should be enough for most people, but if you're into the kind of off-roading where you don't know whether you'll return home with all your limbs intact, the Rubicon is the way to go.

The V6 two-door with a six-speed manual has EPA-estimated figures of 17/25/20 mpg city/highway/combined. The eight-speed automatic is more frugal as it automatically adds mild-hybrid assistance to the mix, resulting in estimates of 20/24/21 mpg. The downsized 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot is the most economical engine option with EPA-estimated figures of 22/24/23 mpg. The 2.0-liter will get 402 miles out of the 17.5-gallon tank, while the V6 manages just 350 miles between refills.

The Wrangler's interior design is slightly retro. You'll find a few design details that pay homage to previous Wrangler and CJ models. The boxy design means there is adequate space, even though this is a two-door car. There are three infotainment screen sizes, and luxury items like heated seats and a heated steering wheel are available as well. Manual windows are standard on the base model and air-conditioning is an option, which may confuse any Millennial drivers out there. But the interior isn't without flaws, one of which being the rear seats. These are located right above the rear wheels, which means the rear passengers get to experience every bump in the road going straight up their spine. Yet another thing to keep in mind when deciding between the two- and four-door models.

Jeep sells the Wrangler two-door as a four-seater because only the mythical Slenderman would fit between two adults on the rear bench. Even so, the rear bench is best reserved for people who don't mind contorting their bodies into weird shapes to gain access. Once the front seats are back in place, the rear passengers will feel either snug or confined, personality-dependent. The rear headroom is excellent at 41.7 inches (40.2 inches with the hardtop), but the legroom is ever-so-slightly constricting at just 35.7 inches.

In the front, it's a different story. The front legroom is a generous 41.2 inches, and the headroom is 42.6 inches (40.7 with the hardtop). Visibility is exceptional thanks to large windows, thin pillars, and outer edges that are easy to spot.

Cloth is standard across the range, and you can have it in either black or tan except on the Rubicon, which gets black cloth only. The base is the only model that doesn't have a leather steering wheel. Full leather upholstery is available on the Rubicon in either Black or Black / Dark Saddle Brown and is a worthwhile investment as it enhances the interior feel.

The interior is pretty much a dull space, except for the Rubicon, which offers black or brown leather and contrast stitching. Jeep insists on including red accents on specific models, even though the exterior color isn't red. These accents would have been brilliant if they matched with the exterior, but the red just looks out of place with no reference point.

As for the bulk of the materials - the dash and doors are hardy and rugged, and the construction is built to last rather than feel extremely comfortable. Hard-wearing floors and drain points also point to the rugged utility of the Wrangler, and we wouldn't have it any other way when the roof and doors come off.

The Wrangler has a side-opening door, giving access to 12.9 cubic feet of cargo space. That's pitiful for a car that you'd likely use for extended adventures. As an adventure car for two people, it makes more sense. With the rear seats folded forward, the cargo capacity increases to 31.7 cubic feet, which is ample for any outdoor adventures you might go on. The trunk also has tie-down hooks and underfloor storage space for small valuables.

The Wrangler lacks usable storage space in the cabin. The doors have nets rather than door pockets, and there is no space to put a phone. You do get two cupholders up front, as well as a storage bin in the center armrest.

The Wrangler isn't a plush car, but it's also not quite as spartan as previous generations. There's a push-button start, cruise control, a fold-down windshield, and removable doors and roof as standard. The manual air conditioning is unique in the base model. It's operated via manual windows. If you want a cool breeze, you simply lower the window. Want the real deal? That's an extra $1,395.

Further up in the range, you get power windows, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights, and heated side mirrors. Luxury items like heated seats, keyless entry, and a heated steering wheel are available as well. Most of the safety features are optional extras, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, park sensors, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. Prospective Wrangler customers will likely not care about any of the above, but rather the off-road specific options like automatically locking differentials, suspension options, and available tire sizes.

There are three different infotainment screens available for the Wrangler. The more you pay, the bigger the screen gets. The base Uconnect 3 five-inch infotainment is disappointing, as it only offers music streaming via Bluetooth or a USB port. It is standard on the base Sport trims without air-conditioning. If you select the optional air-conditioning on the base trim, you get the bigger seven-inch Uconnect 4 system that adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You get this system as standard in the Sport S and Willys, but you can upgrade to the 8.4-inch infotainment option. The latter is standard fitment in the Rubicon model from this year. In addition to all of the above, the 8.4-inch infotainment comes with HD Radio, SiriusXM, navigation, and the ability to create a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. An eight-speaker sound system is standard, but an eight-speaker premium Alpine sound system is available on the Sport S and Willys, and standard on the Rubicon.

The Wrangler doesn't have the best reputation for reliability, but it seems things are slowly turning around. In 2021 it scored its highest rating ever: 80 out of 100 points from J.D. Power overall and 83/100 for quality and reliability. In fact, it scored well in every category, except for dealership experience where customers gave it a rating of 68 out of 100.

As for recalls, the Wrangler hasn't had the easiest life so far. In 2019 it was recalled six times. In 2020, it was recalled five times for problems including a clutch pressure plate that may overheat, an improper weld that could lead to the lower control arm separating from the axle, and a backup camera display that stays on. For 2021, only the problem with the clutch's pressure plate that may overheat remained. The 2022 Wrangler has so far been free of recalls.

The Wrangler has also received a large number of complaints, mostly with regards to the steering. The complaints from the customers vary, but for the most part, they complain about a dead spot in the steering and excessive wandering when trying to drive in a straight line.

The Wrangler is offered with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Considering its popularity, it's surprising to see that there aren't complete safety reviews of the Jeep Wrangler from either of the major US safety authorities. It achieved four stars for a frontal crash and three stars for a rollover in the NHTSA review. The IIHS has only rated the Wrangler's headlights and optional crash prevention systems, scoring the former disappointing Marginal/Poor results depending on spec and the latter an admirable Superior rating. Here's a tip for you. Before you slap a set of 35-inch tires on there, invest in a set of aftermarket LED headlights.

With the Wrangler not scoring so well in the safety ratings, we suggest you add as much safety kit as possible. As standard, the Wrangler has ABS, traction and stability control, hill-start assist, a rearview camera, and dual-front and side airbags. The driver assistance features are locked behind a paywall, but they're well worth investing in. Considering the safety ratings, you certainly want blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control to help keep you out of trouble.

If we had a penny for all the times we've been asked this question, we'd have enough for a Jeep Gladiator and not the standard Wrangler SUV. The Wrangler has a bit of an image problem. It has become a fashion statement, a lifestyle accessory in front of which people pose because they want their Instagram followers to believe that they're adventurous. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on where you stand, Jeep hasn't changed the Wrangler recipe to suit these people. That's what makes the Bronco Sport such an appealing car. You get to own a vehicle that screams adventure but without any of the drawbacks. If you want to buy a Wrangler to make a statement, buy something else. It's noisy, cramped, uncomfortable in the city, and the handling can be tricky. It's almost certainly guaranteed to annoy you, as you can't live with it day to day.

But if you want a genuine off-roader, the Wrangler is outstanding. If you're the kind of person who likes to get down and dirty, the Wrangler is a blank canvas to add your unique personality.

For everyone else, stay clear. There are much better on-road biased SUVs out there. But off-road? Few do it this well.

The price of the Jeep Wrangler 2-door ranges from surprisingly affordable to borderline crazy, with specs. The entry-level Sport has an MSRP of $29,725 and the Willys Sport costs $32,080, while the Sport S has a base price of $32,925. The Willys costs $36,075, while the top-of-the-line Rubicon has an MSRP of $40,795.These prices exclude Jeep's destination charge of $1,595 and, importantly, it seems Jeep mandatorily includes some options on certain trims, so the base MSRP is a little less than what they'll charge you at the dealership.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot reduces the price by $500, but Jeep still charges you $2,500 for the eight-speed automatic transmission.

This year, the Jeep Wrangler two-door's lineup is composed of five trims: Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, Willys, and Rubicon. All of these trims come as standard with a 285-hp 3.6-liter V6 gas engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and a 4WD system.

The Sport is the base model and on the outside, it has 17-inch black pressed-steel wheels, halogen headlights and fog lights, tow hooks, skid plates, black manually adjustable mirrors, black bumpers, a body-color grille, a foldable windscreen, and a removable black soft top and doors. Inside, it has no air-conditioning, manual door locks and windows, cloth upholstery, cruise control, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, a 3.5-inch black-and-white driver-information display, two 12-volt auxiliary power outlets, a urethane steering wheel, and push-button start. A five-inch infotainment display is standard and the system incorporates audio-jack inputs for mobile devices, USB and auxiliary ports, SiriusXM Guardian, and an eight-speaker audio system. Standard safety fare comprises stability control with roll mitigation, hill-start assist, tire-pressure monitoring, ABS, a backup camera, trailer-sway control, and four airbags.

The Willys Sport trim is based on the Sport but adds 17-inch alloy wheels with 32-inch mud-terrain tires, a black grille, black headlight inserts, the shocks and rock-protection sill rails from the Rubicon, a limited-slip rear differential, deep-tinted glass, Willys badging, and a Willys hood decal. Inside, it gains Mopar all-weather floor mats.

The Sport S trim has powered and heated exterior mirrors, automatic headlights, silver 17-inch alloy wheels, manual air-conditioning, power windows and door locks, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, a security alarm system, remote keyless entry, and a seven-inch Uconnect 4 infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto. This infotainment setup is also fitted to the base Sport and Willys Sport trims if you order them with air-conditioning. The Sport S also gets access to a lot more extras and optional safety features.

The Willys gets the same off-road upgrades that the Willys Sport gets but because it is based on the Sport S trim, it gets that trim's level of standard equipment. In addition, it adds LED headlights and fog lights - the only trim to get these as standard.

The Rubicon is the highest Wrangler two-door trim and comes with a dual-vented hood with a Rubicon decal, rock-protection sill rails, high-clearance fender flares, 33-inch all-terrain tires, an electronically disconnectable front sway bar, a full-time Rock-Trac transfer case, heavy-duty Dana 44 locking front and rear axles. Inside, it gains ambient LED interior lighting, premium cloth upholstery, bright interior accents, automatic climate control with an air filter, a universal garage-door opener, a 115-volg auxiliary power outlet, remote proximity keyless entry, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The infotainment system is the 8.4-inch Uconnect 4 system with navigation, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic Plus, HD Radio, additional USB ports, and off-road information pages.

The base Sport has access to no packages of note except the Trailer-Tow and Heavy-Duty Electrical Group that adds a 240-amp alternator, 700-amp battery, and a Class II tow hitch with a wiring harness for $845. The Sport S gains access to a lot more. If you intend to use the new Jeep Wrangler on-road most of the time, the Safety Group ($995) and Advanced Safety Group ($795) would be worthwhile investments. The former adds blind-spot and cross-path detection, LED taillights, and a parking assistant. The cheaper option adds advanced brake assist, automatic high beam control, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop functionality. If you live in a cold-weather state, you might also be interested in the Cold Weather Group package, which adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote start for $695. The Rubicon can be equipped with a 4.88 axle this year that provides a proper 100:1 crawl ratio, but it's only available with the V6 engine. Subject to late availability, this is expected to cost $895.

Two models are appealing. The first is the base Sport, but with the optional air-conditioning included. Why? Because of Wrangler culture. These cars are not kept standard for long, and the base model is essentially a blank canvas to which you can add whatever you want. Anyway, adding the air-conditioning also give you a far better infotainment system with a larger screen and smartphone integration to start off with.

The second option we'd look at is the Rubicon. The Wrangler is built for hardcore off-roaders, so it makes sense to get the most hardcore model there is. This year, it already comes with the 8.4-inch infotainment system with navigation, so we just need to add all of the optional safety extras. The total price of a new Wrangler in this spec, including the destination charge, and with a nice extra-cost metallic color, is $44,180.

So, you can either get the most basic Wrangler with air conditioning for $32,715 or a Rubicon with all the safety features for $44,180. That's a difference of $11,465, with which you can do a lot to improve a base, Wrangler. We'd still have the Rubicon, however, as we doubt you'd be able to get a Wrangler as capable as the Rubicon, even if you spent more than $11,000 on aftermarket parts.

Both these vehicles have a well-deserved reputation for being nearly unstoppable when the going gets tough, with the 4Runner also boasting a rugged body-on-frame design.

The 4Runner is a more versatile vehicle. It has four doors and a lot larger a trunk, but you can also opt for a 4-door Wrangler Unlimited. Toyota's 4Runner is better built and much easier to live with daily, the main problem is its price. The entry-level model is over $37,000, and it's almost as spartan as the entry-level Wrangler. The materials in the 4Runner also aren't up to standard.

The 4.0-liter V6 in the Toyota is even thirstier than the V6 in the Wrangler. It's not more powerful and doesn't add much to the driving experience. The Wrangler has many faults, but the 4Runner is just a bit boring. Between the two, we'd have the Jeep, especially if used for their intended off-road purposes.

All of the criticisms we level against the Wrangler have to do with its utilitarian nature. It makes no excuses for what it is and what it's made for.

But there is a better balance from within Jeep's ranks. The brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee has an entry-level price of $37,785, and for that, you get the same 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic gearbox. It comes with 17-inch alloys, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry and go, as well as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist with stop, active lane management, forward-collision warning, and a rearview camera.

Sure, it's not as good off-road as the Wrangler, but few things are, and the GC is still what many would call a highly capable off-roader in its own right. The new Grand Cherokee offers more space, comfort, better fuel economy, and you can use it as a daily driver, which makes it an appealing proposition. Unless you do severe off-roading regularly or can afford a leisure vehicle in addition to a daily, the Grand Cherokee is the more sensible option, especially since the all-new model cuts a svelte figure and has been brought fully up to date in its new generation.