Five strengths of the new Jeep Wrangler and one weakness

Few cars in the world are more iconic than the Jeep Wrangler, one of the few pure SUVs left on the market and a legend for many fans of off-road driving. We’re going to look at five strengths of the new Jeep Wrangler and one weakness.

The latest evolution of Jeep’s off-roader adds increased capability, new technology and advanced safety features, all while staying true to the formula that made it a legend and offering the freedom to go where you want.

Apparently, the changes are not very noticeable, although there are. As usual in restylings, the innovations focus not so much on aesthetic issues but rather on the technological equipment and the mechanical section.

The new Jeep Wrangler introduces new sets of wheels, technology updates such as the new touch screen, and two new versions Sport S 4xe and the Rubicon X.

Five strengths of the new Jeep Wrangler: same design as always, but updated

Following the Lampedusa philosophy, the new Jeep Wrangler changes a few things to keep it the same as always. The design is based on a sculptural aesthetic that is immediately recognizable by the traditional traits of the brand.

It features a new seven-bar grill, smaller than before but still generous. Grille styling varies depending on trim: Gloss Black bezels and slots on Willys, Gloss Black bezels on High Altitude, and Platinum Silver bezels and slots on Sahara.

Jeep offers new sets of wheels from 17 to 20 inches, associated with tires up to 35 inches, as well as new options for hard and soft tops, including an electric one called ‘Sky One-Touch’.

off-road capability

If the Wrangler is known around the world for something, it is for its off-road capability. The new edition includes a series of elements so that the American 4×4 continues to be one of the benchmarks in this regard.

For starters, there are four advanced 4×4 systems: Command-Trac part-time transfer case, Rock-Trac part-time transfer case, Rock-Trac full-time transfer case and Selec-Trac full-time transfer case.

To this we must add a drag ratio of up to 100:1, a fording capacity of 86 centimeters, a ground clearance of 32.7 centimeters and angles of attack, departure and fording of 47.4, 40.4 and 27.8 degrees, respectively.

On the other hand, it includes Dana solid front and rear axles, a two-speed transfer case, traction control, tow hooks (two front, one rear), four-wheel disc brakes, four skid plates and a minimum tire size. 32 inches.

The Wrangler Rubicon adds the new generation Dana 44 HD fully floating rear axle. For its part, the range introduces the new Willys version, with improved content, 33-inch tires, a new Tru-Lok rear compartment, steel anti-rock bars, trailer and heavy-duty electrical group.

There’s also a new Rubicon X model, with stock 35-inch tires, an integrated off-road camera, and steel bumpers.

War winch as standard

Another major front-end addition is the standard Warn winch with a 3,600 kg capacity and mounted on a steel front bumper with removable covers. This winch is also available in the Rubicon finish.

Safer

The new Jeep Wrangler is now a safer car, with first- and second-row side curtain airbags, which complement the driver and passenger frontal airbags, and front seat-mounted side airbags.

In addition, it offers more than 85 active and passive safety features, such as forward collision warning, advanced cruise control with stop, the ParkSense rear parking assist system.

A ParkView reversing camera with dynamic grille lines, traction control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with electronic roll damping are standard across the range.

more connected

The Jeep Wrangler is faithful to tradition, but this does not mean that it incorporates the latest technological innovations in terms of connectivity and entertainment. The most important thing is the new dashboard screen, 12.3 inches, compared to the previous one, which was only 8.4 inches.

This new screen projects the content of the Stellantis Uconnect 5 multimedia system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly.

Through the screen you can access the Trails Offroad software, which offers a complete catalog with more than 3,000 off-road routes, such as the Rubicon Trail in California, Hell’s Revenge in Moab and many more that are part of the 62 Jeep Badge of Honor Trails.

One weakness: forget about the V8 engine

The Jeep Wrangler is marketed in the United States with a more complete range of engines, where we find a 2.0 four-cylinder turbo with 274 hp and 400 Nm of torque, a 4xe plug-in hybrid with 381 hp and 45 kilometers of electric range and a V6 of 3.6 liters and 290 hp and 350 Nm of torque.

The star goes to the 6.4-liter V8 HEMI that mounts the Rubicon 392 variant, with 477 hp and 637 Nm of torque. Unfortunately, in Europe we will not see this engine or any of the pure gasoline, since it will only be sold with the PHEV mechanics.