Overview
Nothing says freedom like taking the 2022 Jeep Wrangler down a deserted trail with the top rolled back and adventure awaiting around the bend. The iconic off-roader sports a retro exterior style that pays homage to the rugged Jeep from World War II, but it’s packed with modern conveniences including touchscreen infotainment, cruise control, and an eight-speaker stereo. Up-level trims can be downright luxurious, with leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, in-dash navigation, onboard Wi-Fi, and a power-operated soft top. The Wrangler is offered with the traditional two-door body style, but buyers looking for extra space for passengers and cargo should consider the four-door Unlimited models. A host of powertrains are offered including a plug-in hybrid one as well as a red hot 6.4-liter V-8, but no matter which engine is under the hood, the Wrangler comes standard with four-wheel drive. A host of capability-enhancing features are available to help buyers curate their Wrangler exactly to their desired specification. Its broad range of models and features, as well as its reputation for conquering trails, means the Wrangler has what it takes to compete with rivals such as the Toyota 4Runner and the resurrected Ford Bronco.
What’s New for 2022?
For 2022, the Wrangler lineup gains the Willys model with the Xtreme Recon package. This adventure-ready trim comes with 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, a 1.5-inch suspension lift, upgraded brakes, and a host of blacked-out exterior trim and badges. The Willys Xtreme Recon model comes standard with the 3.6-liter V-6 engine.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We like the idea of staying close to the Wrangler’s simple roots while keeping the price towards the low end of the range, so we’d start with the two-door Wrangler—which comes standard with a removable cloth top. We don’t want to go full World War II bare bones, so we’d opt for the Wrangler Sport S for its extra equipment, which includes air conditioning, a leather-covered steering wheel, power windows and locks, automatic headlamps, heated mirrors, and more. Beyond that we’d spec the 270-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for its 295 pound-feet of torque —35 pound-feet more than the standard V-6. The four-cylinder also comes standard with an eight-speed automatic, a powertrain combination that should make for low-stress trail driving. We’d also opt for the Technology package for its larger 7.0-inch touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The standard 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 from the previous-generation Wrangler makes its way under the hood of the new JL and can be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is optional and teams up with an electric motor to provide additional low-end power. In addition to the standard V-6 and optional four-cylinder hybrid, the Wrangler can also be equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 with similar hybrid assist, a 3.0-liter diesel V-6; a new, 375-hp plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain and a 6.4-liter V-8 are also available. 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—which carries additional weight in the form of heavier-duty off-roading equipment—isn’t as quick. Performance at our test track shows that the Wrangler JL is much improved compared with the previous model, but it’s merely holding steady with its rivals in some metrics. Although its handling has improved, it’s still trucklike in comparison with today’s refined SUVs and pickups. The ride in the four-door is acceptably smooth over rough surfaces, but braking distances were inconsistent between our two test vehicles.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
If the idea of tackling trails under electric-only power is appealing to you, then the 4xe powertrain is the obvious choice. The 17.0-kWh battery pack is said to provide up to 25 miles of electric-only driving, but Jeep says that’s enough for a few hours of low-speed off-roading. When the battery runs out, the turbocharged four-cylinder is capable of driving all four wheels like a normal Wrangler, so you needn’t be concerned about being stranded without a charge.
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 new Wrangler’s EPA fuel-economy estimates put it ahead of rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the Toyota 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. The turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid model fared much better, delivering 26 mpg—2 mpg more than expected. For more information about the Wrangler’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
It’s not the most spacious or accommodating SUV available, but the Wrangler provides a seamless blend of vintage and modern Jeep character. A commanding view of the road—or trail—makes for easy maneuverability, but the view rearward is obscured by thick roof pillars, roll bars, and various grab handles. Need a better view? Just pop the top and remove the doors. Seated close to the upright windshield, the driver and front-seat passenger face a narrow, squared-off dashboard punctuated by round air vents and chunky switchgear for the climate-control system, power windows (if equipped), and infotainment. As an errand runner, the Wrangler offers enough room for groceries and gear, but be aware that its rear seats don’t fold flush with the floor. As you might expect, there’s a significant cargo-hauling tradeoff for going with the classic two-door Wrangler versus the larger Unlimited four-door model. Fitting just two of our carry-on cases behind the two-door’s back seat—versus 10 for the four-door—means packing light if you’re adventuring with friends.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A Wrangler can be outfitted with only the essentials or can be loaded up with modern infotainment goodies. Its infotainment interface—called Uconnect—is easy to use, quick to respond, and can be displayed on a touchscreen available in three sizes. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are both optional, as is navigation and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system.
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. Key safety features include:
- Available blind-spot monitoring
- Available rear cross-traffic alert
- Available rear parking sensors
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Jeep doesn’t give Wrangler buyers much to get excited about in terms of warranty, with a standard package that includes limited warranty and powertrain policies that toe the same line as its rivals. However, all 2021 models do come with three years of free maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included
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