The Jeep Wrangler has seen four distinct generations since it was first introduced. The original Jeep Wrangler that was made available to purchase is known as the YJ by enthusiasts and was in production until 1995. The YJ was followed up by TJ, which lasted until 2006. Between 2007 and 2017, the next generation of Wranglers called JK took the spotlight and can now be found as a selection of highly-powerful yet budget-friendly used vehicles. Coming into the current day, the JL is the latest generation of Wrangler and has been met with universal praise from fans and critics alike, much like its predecessors.
Performance
Over the years, the Wrangler has provided respectable performance along with a multitude of highly sought after features. When purchasing a Jeep Wrangler today, customers are granted a couple of options. Firstly, those looking for the latest and greatest will likely be drawn to the brand-new models. However, those looking to obtain a Wrangler without paying the premium cost associated with new vehicles will have plenty to choose from in the used market. Purchasing a Jeep Wrangler from the past five or so years is the best way to get a perfect mixture of value and performance.
Even purchasing a used Jeep Wrangler from 2015 will grant customers an engine still used in the lineup today. This engine is a 3.6L Pentastar V6 that produces 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which still provides ample performance like it did in 2015. With this engine equipped, a JK Wrangler will have either a 5-speed automatic transmission or an available 6-speed manual transmission. EPA-estimated ratings for this engine are nearly identical regardless of which transmission is equipped, as this engine gets 18 MPG combined.
This engine remained the sole option for the Wrangler until the 2018 model year when another engine was introduced into the lineup. The new engine provided more torque and better EPA-ratings due to its turbocharged nature and is a 2.0L 4-cylinder that produces 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Along with this new engine, the optional 6-speed manual transmission remained, but a new 8-speed automatic transmission made its first appearance. As mentioned, EPA-ratings were increased with this engine with ratings of up to 24 MPG combined. If your daily commute involves long drives along the Lexington highways, this engine can save you plenty of money on gas.
A couple of years later, a new engine would appear in the lineup, this time with a focus on catering to diesel fans everywhere. This was a turbo-diesel 3.0L V6 that produces 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. Since the other two engines remained in the lineup, this new turbo-diesel engine helped to differentiate itself with a striking 50% increase in torque output. Another new engine made its way into the lineup for the 2021 model year. However, this engine is combined alongside an electric motor in what is the Wrangler's first hybrid variant. Not only is this turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder an efficient plug-in hybrid, but it's also the most powerful Wrangler with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Putting this into perspective, this hybrid model produces an impressive 40% more horsepower and 60% more torque than the base engine.
Features
The Wrangler has consistently provided a robust feature set to drivers. Furthermore, the interior of the Wrangler has always provided a comfortable ride with plenty of space to boot. Two-door models of the Wrangler will have a maximum seating capacity of four passengers, while some models, particularly those with 4-doors, will hold up to five. The four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited dimensions show 41.2 inches of front legroom and 38.3 inches of rear legroom, along with 42.6 inches of headroom up front and 41.7 in the back. By today's standards, the connectivity features of an older Wrangler can seem lackluster, but that is far from true of the latest models. This interior remained rather unchanged between the 2015 and 2017 model years as it wasn't until the model's refresh in 2018 when things would start to see significant improvement.
Once the 2018 Wrangler debuted, Jeep made several advancements to the interior, namely an infotainment center that came standard with plenty of room for upgrades. Having an infotainment center in the modern day is immensely helpful and can easily be considered one of the largest advancements to a vehicle's interior as we know it. Connectivity features begin with the infotainment center, and the 2018 Wrangler includes a 5-inch screen on base trims. One of the most notable features of this center is integrated Bluetooth, which allows for wireless media playback from a device such as a smartphone.
Although the functionality of the 5-inch infotainment center can seem a tad limited, customers have the option of opting for either a 7-inch or a massive 8.4-inch screen instead. The larger of the two offer on-board turn-by-turn directions so you can easily explore all that Lexington has to offer. While the 7-inch variant doesn't include these navigation features, it does include the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These two pieces of software have become immensely popular over the last few years and are often sought after by shoppers. They make the system fully compatible with smartphones such as the iPhone and Android. When connected, drivers of this Jeep SUV can send text messages, make phone calls, and change songs simply by using their voice. Furthermore, CarPlay and Auto feature each feature an app for maps, weather, and much more.
