Jeep Wrangler Test Drive: Pros and Cons of a Body-on-Frame Off-Roader. Discover the strengths and weaknesses of this rugged vehicle.
The Jeep Wrangler is a true icon of the automotive industry. This vehicle has undergone several generations and has roots that trace back to the military Willys of World War II. During a test, journalists from RBK-Ukraine put the SUV through its paces off-road and explored how well this "American" performs in everyday urban use.
Timeless Classic
The design of the Jeep Wrangler, designated JL, stands as a stark contrast to the modern automotive industry. You won't find complex-shaped headlights or aerodynamically calculated body kit elements on this SUV; even the wheel rims are of an "unfashionable" size, as they carry a significant layer of rubber.
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However, it cannot be said that the ninth generation completely disregards contemporary trends and technologies. Compared to the previous generation, it has become lighter by over 100 kg thanks to aluminum doors, fenders, a hood, and a windshield frame. The foundation remains a ladder frame and coil spring suspension with new generation Dana axles.
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The main external sign of the facelift is the reduced-height grille. Now, the seven signature slats are not slots in a solid front panel but a separate black plastic insert. To compensate for the lower grille height, engineers and designers created bridges between the slats with through slots: air now also flows to the radiator through these openings.
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Additionally, the update has removed the antenna from the right fender: a new antenna is integrated into the windshield frame. Among the factory options, a Warn winch with a pulling force of 3.6 tons is now available, installed in the front bumper. The new Jeep Wrangler will still be offered in both a short version and the four-door Unlimited version – just like the one we tested. True to tradition, the windshield can still be folded down onto the hood.
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In the vehicle's native American market, you can choose from four roof options: a fabric top with electric drive, a removable hardtop in the body color, the Freedom Top targa with two removable sections, and the Power Top – a hardtop with a large electric sunroof. The test vehicle is equipped with the most interesting option – the Freedom Top, allowing you to drive with a solid roof and turn the vehicle into a convertible in a matter of minutes. Moreover, for an additional fee of 40,000 UAH, a soft top is available for unexpected rain while you left the stationary "house" in the garage.
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High Seating – Long Vision
With the facelift, the main update in the interior is the new Uconnect 5 multimedia system featuring a 12.3-inch widescreen display. This head unit is now standard, whereas the previous Wrangler could have a display measuring five or seven inches. To accommodate the new screen, the dashboard had to be redesigned: instead of circular ventilation vents in the center, there are now narrow rectangular ones. The instrument cluster's framing has also been changed, although the panel itself has remained unchanged, consisting of a color screen and a couple of physical gauges on the sides.
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Interestingly, the factory navigation system has introduced a Trails Offroad section listing popular off-road routes, including the legendary Rubicon Trail. A paid subscription provides access to more than 3,000 such routes. American engineers also improved the vehicle's passive safety – from now on, every Jeep Wrangler will be equipped with inflatable "curtain" airbags that cover the doorway.
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It is important to understand that the interior of the SUV is rather cramped. This is also a nod to fashion – the body is quite narrow, and the wheels are positioned separately from the vehicle. This should be considered while driving, as it may initially seem that the vehicle is overall narrow, and one must always remember the wide wheels that are almost invisible from the driver’s seat. However, in terms of comfort, the driver’s seat is quite modern: it includes steering wheel heating and electric lumbar support adjustments. Also, for the first time in nine generations, the Wrangler now features a push-button engine start.
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The only aspect that I couldn't get used to during the week was the feeling of helplessness of the left leg. There is no footrest provided, making it difficult to find a comfortable position. On long journeys, you find yourself either stretching it out or tucking it in. It’s also unusual that the window control buttons lack an automatic closing mode and protrude awkwardly from the bottom of the center console.
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However, this last point is not an oversight by the engineers but a necessity. Besides the roof, you can even remove the door of the vehicle! Yes, according to Ukrainian traffic regulations, it is not permitted to operate without doors, but in the USA and several other countries, it is entirely allowed. The vehicle even comes with a special tool kit to facilitate this process as quickly as possible.
There is generally enough space in the rear seat. The flat leather bench offers almost no lateral support, so you must rely solely on the handles on the side pillars. The operation of removing the doors can become a whole procedure.
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In terms of trunk space, the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is quite practical. The trunk volume is 533 liters in its normal state and 1,044 liters with the rear seats folded down. There is a small compartment hidden under the floor. The spare tire, as you can see, is mounted externally on the "gate."
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Turbocharged and Proud
The test vehicle is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 274 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It may seem that the vehicle is too large and heavy for such an engine, but time has shown that this assumption is incorrect. It turns out that the bi-turbo engine hardly notices the nearly two tons of curb weight and easily accelerates the Wrangler to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds.
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Considering all the urban and rural tests, we managed to achieve an average fuel consumption of less than 12 L/100 km, which is an excellent result given the power, driving emotions, and the vehicle's capabilities. For context, if traveling steadily on the highway at 120 km/h, the vehicle consumes about 10.5 liters per 100 km. In the city, however, the appetite easily rises to 14-15 liters per 100 km, and during stops, the engine is often turned off to save fuel.
The brakes in the vehicle are straightforward and intuitive; the amount of pressure applied translates directly to the braking force. However, sacrificing the SUV's handling on the road is common. It's time to understand the reason behind it.
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On long journeys, the relatively high level of noise in the cabin stands out, coming not only from the tires but also from the vertically installed windshield and the almost complete lack of soundproofing materials on the ceiling. The acoustics, by the way, are good in the vehicle, and a powerful Alpine subwoofer is located in the trunk, protected from rain just like all the other speakers.
When it comes to handling with the high-profile off-road tires that the vehicle comes with, don’t expect miracles. Remember that in a turn at speeds over 120-130 km/h, the vehicle may start to "float," and the brakes will exhibit a certain inertia due to their soft composition.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon can truly showcase its capabilities only on serious off-road terrain. It features full-time four-wheel drive with a low range, locking front and rear differentials, a special off-road mode, and a descent control system.
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Unlike most of its counterparts, I never felt the urge to take the SUV into genuine impassable (but passable for the Wrangler) mud during my week with the vehicle. The real thrill comes from driving on ordinary broken dirt roads, where regular station wagons and crossovers head to their country houses. However, there's one nuance – they traverse dried ruts and puddles at speeds of 20-30 km/h to avoid scraping the engine guard or the sills. Meanwhile, the Wrangler can cruise through the same terrain at 80-100 km/h, as long as you grip the steering wheel firmly.
Price Tag
The prices for the four-door long version of the Wrangler in the Ukrainian market start at 2,988,700 UAH. For this amount, you can purchase the Sahara modification, which has a somewhat more modest off-road arsenal compared to our test vehicle. Meanwhile, this dark gray Jeep Wrangler with the Rubicon insignia on the hood costs 3,196,600 UAH. Among the available options are paid colors, a tent for rain protection when the roof is removed, and more.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of the Jeep Wrangler
Main advantages of the Jeep Wrangler: