Jeep Wrangler: OVERVIEW
Driving the 2022 Jeep Wrangler down a remote trail with the top down and adventure around the corner is the epitome of freedom. The well-known off-road vehicle pays respect to the tough Jeep from World War II with its traditional exterior design. Still, it is also loaded with contemporary comforts like touchscreen infotainment, cruise control, and eight-speaker audio. With leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, in-dash navigation, onboard Wi-Fi, and a power-operated soft top, higher-level trims can be downright opulent.
Although the Wrangler is available in the conventional two-door body style, consumers seeking more room for passengers and goods should take into account the four-door Unlimited variants. There are many available powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and a powerful 6.4-liter V-8, but the Wrangler always comes with four-wheel drive as standard. Customers can customize their Wrangler exactly to their desired specifications with a variety of capability-enhancing options. The Wrangler has what it takes to compete with rivals like the Toyota 4Runner and the revived Ford Bronco thanks to its wide choice of models and options and reputation for tackling trails.
What has changed for 2022?
The Willys model with the Xtreme Recon package will be added to the Wrangler roster for 2022. This adventure-ready version includes a 1.5-inch suspension lift, improved brakes, 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, as well as a variety of external trim and emblems that have been completely blacked out. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine is standard on the Willys Xtreme Recon variant, which is only available on the four-door Unlimited body style.
Jeep Wrangler: Pricing
The starting price of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler is $29,725, which is higher than average for the compact SUV segment. The intermediate Willys trim costs around $36,000, but the high-performance Rubicon 392 costs more than $75,000.
Which one to Purchase?
We'd start with the two-door Wrangler—which includes a detachable cloth top as standard—because we like the concept of staying true to the Wrangler's straightforward beginnings while keeping the pricing toward the low end of the spectrum.
We don't want to go full World War II bare bones, so the Wrangler Sport S would be our choice because of its additional features, which include air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and locks, automated headlights, heated mirrors, and more.
In addition, we'd recommend the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower because it has 295 pound-feet of torque, which is 35 pound-feet more than the normal V-6.
In addition, an eight-speed automatic transmission is included on the four-cylinder, which should result in low-stress trail driving. For its larger 7.0-inch touchscreen and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, we'd also choose the Technology package.
Jeep Wrangler: Engine and Performance
Under the hood of the new JL is the standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 285 horsepower from the previous-generation Wrangler, which can be mated to either a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. An electric motor works in tandem with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine as an optional low-end power boost.
The Wrangler may be fitted with a 3.6-liter V-6 with a comparable hybrid aid, a 3.0-liter diesel V-6, a new, 375-hp plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain, and a 6.4-liter V-8 in addition to the basic V-6 and optional four-cylinder hybrid. Because Wranglers are built for off-road use, part-time four-wheel drive is standard on all models and is managed via a lever on the center console.
In our tests, a standard two-door Wrangler Sport with the V-6 and the six-speed manual transmission accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while a well-equipped four-door Sahara model with the automatic transmission completed the task in 6.8 seconds. The four-door Sahara was a little quicker, reaching 60 mph in 6.5 seconds with the four-cylinder hybrid powerplant.
We found that the High Tide and Rubicon models weren't as swift as the others in our testing since they both had heavier-duty off-roading equipment that added weight to them. The performance of the Wrangler JL at our test track is noticeably better than that of the outgoing model, Still, in several other areas, it is only keeping pace with its competitors. Its handling has improved, but compared to other vehicles, it still has a trucklike feel.
The Wrangler JL performs far better than the previous generation at our test track, but in several other areas, it is only maintaining parity with its competitors. Although its handling has improved, it still feels like a truck when compared to the sophisticated SUVs and trucks of today. The four-ride door's quality on bumpy roads is tolerably smooth, although our two test cars' braking distances varied widely.
Jeep Wrangler: Battery life, Charging, and Range
The 4xe powertrain is the clear choice if the thought of traversing trails only on electricity appeals to you. Jeep claims that the 17.0 kWh battery pack is sufficient for a few hours of low-speed off-roading, despite claims that it can travel up to 25 miles on electricity alone. You needn't worry about getting stranded without a charge because the turbocharged four-cylinder can drive all four wheels like a regular Wrangler when the battery runs out.
Jeep Wrangler: Interior and Comfort
The Wrangler offers a seamless fusion of traditional and contemporary Jeep character, while not being the roomiest or most accommodating SUV on the market. Easy maneuverability is made possible by a commanding perspective of the road or path. Still, the vision backward is obstructed by the vehicle's thick roof pillars, roll bars, and different grasp handles.
Do you require a better vantage point? Simply lift the top, then take the doors off. The driver and front-seat passenger are positioned close to the upright windshield and look at a squared-off, narrow dashboard with round air vents and large switchgear for the infotainment system, power windows, and climate control.
The Wrangler is a good option for doing errands because it has enough space for supplies and groceries, but be careful that its back seats don't fold flat to the floor. As you might anticipate, choosing the smaller, two-door Wrangler over the bigger, four-door Unlimited model has a major impact on cargo capacity. Packing light is important if you're going on an adventure with friends because just two of our carry-on cases fit behind the back seat of the two-door car, compared to ten for the four-door.
Jeep Wrangler: Connectivity
You can choose to equip a Wrangler with merely the necessities or with the latest in modern electronics. Its three-size touchscreen infotainment interface, known as Uconnect, is user-friendly, responsive, and simple to operate. Navigation and an Alpine nine-speaker audio system are optional, as are Apple Car Play and Android Auto.