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JEEP
Wrangler

Its seven-slot grille and distinctive wide fender flares make the Jeep Wrangler one of the most recognisable vehicles on the market today. With excellent off-roading capabilities, the emphasis has to be on fun with ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ attitude.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon off-road front
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon rear
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon side
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon interior

The good

It can take on any terrain and oozes character

The bad

Pricey at £60k-plus

Tech Specs

Price from
£61,125
Combined Fuel up to
27.2mpg
0-62 from
7.6 seconds
max speed up to
112mph
co2 from
250g/km

Test Drive

Jeep Wrangler – First Drive (2024)

The iconic Jeep Wrangler needs very little introduction as it is recognised globally as one of the most capable off-road family vehicles on the planet.

And it’s just been given extra appeal for 2024 with a new look, increased ability and plenty of upgraded technology. In fact, Jeep claims the fourth-generation Wrangler is the most capable yet.

The five-door SUV boasts more standard equipment across the line-up and is available in two flavours called Sahara, priced from £61,125 and Rubicon, costing £63,125 before any options are factored into the mix.

Both models are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 272hp and 400Nm of torque. Each vehicle features an eight-speed automatic gearbox with AWD and they can reach 62mph from a standing start in 7.6 miles. The Sahara tops out at 112mph while the Rubicon is limited to 99mph.

We opted for the range-topping Wrangler Rubicon for our test drive, and a single glance in the Jeep’s direction will leave you with little doubt that those top speeds are plenty enough.

That’s because few vehicles have quite such a strong road presence as the Wrangler with its go-anywhere capability and unique, distinctive design characteristics.

Instantly recognisable thanks to its iconic seven-slot grille, which is even more prominent on the latest model with black textured slots, other styling cues include a black hard top roof, LED lamps, black tubular side steps (which you need to get in or out with any sense of decorum) and Gorilla Glass. There are RUBICON transfers on the side of the bonnet, a new windscreen-integrated trail-ready stealth antenna and huge wheels that look capable of clambering of any obstacle thrown in its path.

Moving inside, or rather climbing onboard, you are greeted with a classy cockpit where all the main controls are integrated into the centre stack. The latest 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen navigation infotainment system offers access to the likes of the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone set-up, connectivity for two Bluetooth-enabled phones, a nine-speaker Alpine Premium sound system which includes speakers in the roof, an Alexa Voice Service and plenty more besides.

Getting a comfortable driving position is made simpler with 12-way powered front seats crafted from Nappa leather and ample steering wheel movement. These seats, along with the steering wheel, can be heated against the winter chill. And all the important readouts can clearly be viewed on a driver display panel.

Although we drove the Wrangler a relatively short distance on the road, where it has to be said, it’s refinement is a vast improvement on the outgoing vehicle, it was away from the Tarmac that this unstoppable 4×4 spent most of its day.

And what a day it was. Sometimes we are invited to test a vehicle’s off-road capability and then are presented with a relatively tame course that most front wheel-drive cars could skip over. But this was different.

We traversed streams, encountered boulder climbs, steep loose shingle slopes and sections where just two wheels were touching the ground…if you were lucky. Unlike some modern-day 4x4s where traditional high and low range gear selectors have been replaced by trendy dials, the Wrangler has kept that traditional lever styling and, despite being quite tough to yank it into certain settings, it brings something authentic to the mix.

There is an Off-Road+ button, that is only available on the Rubicon model, and this increases the traction which becomes noticeable if you stop on quite a steep slippery incline and engage the setting. The grip bites instantly and you move on with barely a wheel-spin in sight.

The Wrangler has never been particularly efficient to run and the day-to-day costs of this latest model are also quite steep with a combined 24.8mpg and high carbon emissions of 269g/km. So, don’t expect to be put on the green brigade’s Christmas card list.

The boot can hold 533 litres of luggage, increasing to 2,050 litres with the rear seats lowered and throughout the cabin there are door nets, a lockable glovebox, front and rear cup holders, a double central cubby box and some handy trays.

Safety-wise, expect to see automatic cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot detection with rear cross path, full speed forward collision warning and side curtain airbags.

All in all, the latest Jeep is far from cheap, is not the best on the road and comfort levels are challenging to say the least, but it certainly adds a whole new dimension to off-roading. It seemed completely unfazed by any challenge and finished the day just like us – a bit muddy, a tad weary but otherwise unscathed.

Test Drive

JEEP Wrangler 80th Anniversary edition (2021)

This year marks a very special anniversary for JEEP as the Wrangler celebrates becoming an octogenarian.

And to celebrate 80 years, there is a special anniversary edition of the vehicle that knows no limits when faced with off road challenges.

All the latest Wrangler models are powered by an efficient 2.0-litre 272hp Euro6D petrol engine combined with an eight-speed transmission. But customers have bundles of choice when it comes to styling with two or four-door variants and all manner of personalisation packs to put an individual stamp on the vehicle.

And for anyone questioning the vehicle’s rough and ready nature, it has been Trail Rated, which is JEEP’s way of saying it boasts superior go-anywhere capability.

Weighing in at just shy of two tonnes, the four-door Wrangler 80th Anniversary model can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in a very respectable 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 112mph, while delivering a combined 25.2mpg with carbon emissions of 252g/km. It costs £54,450, increasing to £57,050 with a few options added although the two-door version starts at £52,450.

The vehicle is instantly recognisable as a JEEP thanks to the trademark upright slotted grille which is finished in neutral grey metallic on the 80th Anniversary model. There are headlight and fog light bezels in the same shade plus two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels with Granite Crystal accents.

Full LED headlights feature auto high beam assist and there is a body-coloured hardtop along with 80th Anniversary badging on the front wheel arches and a commemorative plaque on the rear swing door.

The body-coloured three-part hard top can be opened or closed at the push of a button and with black bumpers, and a large spare wheel on the rear door, the vehicle has a muscular stance when viewed from any angle.

Moving inside (using the hand grips to make life easier) there are black leather bucket seats, lots of premium quality fixtures and fittings, ambient lighting along with a wealth of tech to explore.

Creature comforts include an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system, a pitch perfect nine-speaker sound system that includes speakers in the roof, plus a clear digital display behind the wheel.

Heated seats and a heated steering wheel will help fend off the winter blues and there is keyless entry and go for convenience too.

The acceleration through the automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive with plenty of power on tap at all times. The road holding is assured and the elevated driving position results in excellent all-round visibility.

Despite its size, the Wrangler is deceptively agile and easy to manoeuvre in busier town centres and the trio of rear headrests fold forward when not in use for a clear view through the rear screen.

Admittedly, it’s not the most refined vehicle on our roads today, but few rivals can match this JEEP when it comes to adventures away from the Tarmac with low range gears to tackle any terrain with ease. It can also tow a caravan or trailer weighing up to 2.5 tonnes.

The spacious vehicle can accommodate five adults and the boot is well-sized too with a capacity that ranges from 548 litres with all seats in use to 1,059 litres with the rear seats dropped flat. And there are plenty of storage options scattered throughout the cabin too, including a lockable glovebox, four cup holders, door nets in place of bins, a deep central cubby box and seat back pockets.

The Wrangler is packed with safety kit with a range of driver assist systems to help protect occupants, other road users and also help prevent accidents happening in the first place. And, of course, it has the JEEP Command-Trac four-wheel drive system that constantly monitors the torque sent to the front and rear wheels.

All in all, this Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary edition is the perfect way to mark such a memorable year. It looks awesome, drives well, is packed with tech and will overcome anything Mother Nature throws in its path.

Test Drive

Jeep Wrangler 4-door Night Eagle 2.0 272hp (2020)

IF you’re a shy, retiring, shrinking violet sort of person that avidly avoids stepping into the spotlight then stop reading this now because the Jeep Wrangler Night Eagle is most definitely not the vehicle for you.

It’s billed by Jeep as the car that takes its adventures from daytime to the night and it features a predatory exterior to match the darkness. All sounds a little bit OTT, but in fairness this version of the popular off-road model really does stand out from the crowd.

It’s a head turner with eye-catching design cues including the instantly recognisable vertical six-slot grille in gloss black and model-specific 18-inch alloy wheels. There are side steps to help you get in and out, plus neat light clusters with daytime running lights and bold wheel arches.

You can take the roof off panel-by-panel for the wind-in-the-hair driving experience which adds to the appeal of the great outdoors and with its outstanding off-roading ability, this is a vehicle that will climb steep hills, clamber over rocks and wade through water for fun. Simply select one of the off-road settings on the second gear shift lever and off you trudge with a bring-it-on attitude and a very wide smile.

The driver sits very high up with grab handles to help you climb aboard. And as you settle into the black bucket leather seats you will notice that the all-round visibility is excellent with a wealth of on-board techno treats to explore.

The smart 8.4-inch touchscreen is surrounded by thick padding – the sort you would buy to protect a ridiculously overpriced smartphone. Creature comforts include a premium Alpine audio system with huge subwoofer, dual zone climate control, full smartphone connectivity, sat nav and lots more besides.

The instrumentation is clear and precise with all the controls and dials perfectly positioned for ease of use on the fly. The vehicle’s USB and Aux ports are protected by a fold-down cover and there are additional places to plug in mobile devices in the back of the Wrangler.

Powering this giant of a vehicle is a 272hp 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and it has a 0-62mph sprint time of just 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 110mph. No slouch then!

When it comes to the pounds and pence, this Jeep doesn’t come cheap with a price-tag of £49,850 – increased to £50,500 on our test car due to a couple of optional extras. And the running costs will soon stack up too with combined fuel economy of just 24.8mpg and carbon emissions of 260g/km.

It may not be the most refined vehicle on our roads today with a fair amount of wind and engine noise filtering through into the cabin at higher speeds, but it certainly gets noticed and the engine delivers all the power and grunt needed to sprint down country lanes as well as eat up motorway miles with ease.

It’s a big old beast with a huge front bumper and massive spare wheel cover that both need to be given careful consideration when looking for a parking bay. But it’s actually quite agile and easy to manoeuvre with parking sensors to help guide you into a space.

The road holding feels assured and you do get a sense of invincibility behind the wheel. And why not with such outstanding off-road credentials. The Wrangler can look smart and imposing when out for a day in the country but can put in a proper shift on the farm when required too.

Passenger space within the vehicle is good with ample room for a couple of adults in the back or three if they don’t mind rubbing shoulders. And the boot can accommodate up to 584 litres of kit – a limit that increases to 1,059 litres with the rear seats dropped down. In addition there is a hidden storage area beneath the floor, along with numerous handy compartments scattered around the cabin with practical door nets and cup holders for front and back occupants.

Safety specifications are thorough and the Jeep Wrangler Night Eagle is certainly a model to check out if you need a stylish off-roader that boasts awesome ability on and off road while gaining bundles of attention as it goes about its day-to-day activities.

Test Drive

JEEP Wrangler (2019) – First Drive

With the closure of the traditional Land Rover Defender production line, true hard core off-roaders that are bursting at the seams with character are few and far between. So, enter the latest generation JEEP Wrangler with all the mightand muscle to plug that gap.

Prices start from £44,865 and rise to £48,365 with three generously equipped trim levels to choose from. There are two all-new powertrains – one petrol and one diesel, plus customers can select either two or four-door body styles.

Boasting a rugged, bold design, the all-new 4th generation Wrangler certainly lives up to its ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ slogan with design cues including the instantly recognisable seven-slot grille, round headlights, trapezoidal wheel arches, new LED headlamps and rear lights, folding windscreen, square door mirrors, removable doors and roof, plus chunky wheels. According to JEEP, it’s the only full open-air 4×4 SUV on the market today.

Move inside and creature comforts include the likes of heated seats, new Connect 8.4-inch touchscreen with pinch and zoom functions along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3D navigation, a seven-inch TFT information display that is configurable in more than 100 ways, a heated steering wheel along with integrated buttons for the audio, voice and speed functions.

The interior has definitely taken a step upmarket with all the mod cons we demand in cars these days. In fact, JEEP executives explained that the latest model easily meets the needs of the lifestyle market without any compromise on 4×4 ability. With that in mind, there are high quality materials throughout the quirky, yet functional cabin with soft-touch surfaces, leather upholstery, contrast coloured inserts and sturdy switchgear.

The trim line-up starts with the Sahara, then steps up to Overland which introduces additional luxury or Rubicon for all the off-road expertise and more endurance styling traits. This model is also ready to be personalised by owners who may want to add all manner of extra kit and lighting to their vehicle.

The old 3.6 V6 petrol and 2.8 diesel engines are replaced by a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit developing 272hp and a new 2.2-litre diesel engine with 200hp.

With a ‘proper’ off-road course on the agenda featuring plenty of rock climbs, slippery ascents, gravel tracks and boggy water plunges, we opted for the perfect model for the job – the JEEP Wrangler Rubicon four-door powered by the new 2.2 Multijet-II diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. New Wrangler is on sale in 10 body colours with lots of brighter shades joining the more traditional grey, silver and black. We chose the Firecracker Red car and what a firecracker of a vehicle it proved to be.

Priced at £48,365 (£49,640 with options), it could accelerate to 62mph from a standing start in 10.3 seconds, topping out at 99mph. Fuel economy is rated at a combined 36.2mpg with carbon emissions of 206g/km.

Our four-hour driving route through the wet and windy Lake District included some on-road driving where the Wrangler proved impressively composed and well balanced. The acceleration through the gearbox was smooth and there was a constant stream of power on tap at all times. But with a car that looks like it should be dropped into an extreme terrain zone with a mission of getting out safely, it was the off-road sections of the route that really tested the car to its full potential.

It’s worth adding that our vehicles were identical to showroom models, so didn’t have any clever trickery added to make the tasks easier. Without any hesitation, the Wrangler climbed over tree roots, leaned at crazy angles, balanced on three wheels and trampled across ragged boulders.

There are various driving modes to the 4×4 system – 2H, 4H Auto, 4H Part-time, 4L and Neutral along with front and rear differential locks and an electronic sway-bar disconnect system to help achieve even greater angles of lean.And I have to say our once-gleaming red Wrangler looked even more awesome and imposing when it was splattered from top to toe with mud, grime and boggy water. All that was missing was the Rocky ‘step-climb’ sound theme blaring through the nine-speaker plus subwoofer sound system.

Driver visibility has been improved on the new Wrangler with larger windows and I particularly liked that, as well as the touchscreen that can be used to heat the seats etc, there are manual buttons which are far easier to operate on the move and cause less driver distraction. There is also a rather clever Off-Road Pages app allowing you to view all manner of information about the pitch and roll of the vehicle during off-road antics.

Back seat passengers have plenty of legroom and storage options have been increased on the new model with a boot capacity ranging from 548 to 1,059 litres. There is a split rear door and other convenient storage options scattered throughout the Wrangler include a deep central console, cup holders, door bins, a small glovebox, plus additional space beneath the boot floor.

JEEP has upped the safety content on the latest Wrangler too with the likes of blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, electronic stability control with electronic roll mitigation, a reversing camera and four standard airbags.

All in all, the new JEEP Wrangler is tremendous fun and certainly up for the challenge when faced with any off-road assault course, so will prove itself to be a very able workhorse. But it also ticks all the right boxes when it comes to design, style, on-road handling, on-board infotainment and appeal making it the perfect all-rounder for someone with £50k burning a hole in their pocket.

Test Drive

Jeep Wrangler 3.6 V6 Auto Anniversary

Jeep is celebrating its 75th birthday this year and such a milestone is being marked in style with some ultra-special Anniversary editions being added to the brand’s line-up.

The Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Renegade models all have Anniversary editions and so too does the iconic Wrangler which has always remained faithful to its classic roots and gained iconic status over the years.

The Wrangler is a direct descendant of the original Willys-Overland (1941) model and was introduced to challenge Land Rover’s vehicles. And the latest Anniversary edition is a true roughtie-toughtie 4×4 that is based on the Wrangler Sahara but with added appeal and plenty of extra kit.

Boasting a stunning Sarge Green colour that perfectly suited the Wrangler’s character, the vehicle proved an instant attention grabber with other motorists drawn to its unique and robust styling. Other eye-catching features include body-coloured wheels arches, 18-inch bronze wheels, tinted windows, tubular side steps, front and rear fog lights, a spare wheel attached to the back door plus automatic headlamps.

Climb (and you do) inside and interior features plenty of ‘75th Anniversary’ badging along with special grab handles. There is a generous supply of on-board technology such as full connectivity and sat nav via a colour touchscreen, heated front seats, leather-trimmed upholstery and circular air vents proudly displaying the ‘Jeep’ name. In fact, everywhere you look there are reminders that this is no ordinary Wrangler model – even the grab handle on the glovebox is decorated with a model Jeep and the words “1942 seventy five years”. It has a truly retro feel and that’s exactly what Jeep intended.

Despite being a proper back-to-basics car, the Wrangler has plenty of appeal and certainly puts the fun factor back into driving. Admittedly, it’s pretty loud and the ride is a tad uncomfortable at times as it bounces around on those massive wheels, but those are factors that can actually be viewed as positives rather than negatives on this vehicle.

Powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, the Wrangler can reach 62mph from a standstill in 8.9 seconds and tops out at 112mph. According to official figures it can achieve combined fuel economy of 24.1mpg with carbon emissions of 273g/km.

The Wrangler can easily accommodate four adults – five with a squeeze – and storage options are 698 litres capacity with the seats upright increased to 935 litres with the rear seats dropped flat.

In busy city centre traffic, the Wrangler ambled along with ease and was actually quite agile and easy to manoeuvre. That said; large parking bays are required as the vehicle is quite long (4,751mm). Then on quicker roads and country lanes it was great fun to drive and easily kept pace with fast-moving motorway traffic. The noise levels within the cabin became quite amplified when the vehicle was pushed particularly hard, but the great sound system was more than capable of drowning out the engine’s roar.

There is a little body roll if bends are attacked too enthusiastically, but once again that is a quite plus point in the Wrangler’s character and handling.

However, on the downside, the near-vertical windscreen attracts all sorts of bugs and insect life at speed and is almost impossible to clean as the tiny wipers only clear a fraction of the area. This does mean stopping every hundred miles or so and manually cleaning the screen.

But that was my only real criticism during a week-long loan and although I wasn’t able to venture off-road on this occasion it is most reassuring to know that the Wrangler Anniversary, which is priced at £36,435,  has very accomplished 4×4 capabilities if put to the test.

Test Drive

Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Jamboree

Book yourself an appointment with your chiropractor – you are going to need it.

You see the Jeep wrangler is guaranteed to deliver a noisy, bone-rattler of a ride and even though there are somewhat daunting signs throughout the cabin warning about the dangers of rolling the vehicle, it still has that wow factor attraction to it.

The jamboree model was released to celebrate Jeep’s 65th anniversary and although a little sluggish at times, the 4.0-littre engine delivers enough power to eat up and spit out anything Mother Nature throws in its path.

Generations of motorists have been drawn to the no-nonsense Jeep name and the Wrangler is a clear indication why. Despite the lack of refinement, it delivers a truly back-to-basics performance packed with raw and rugged appeal.

Delivered in a variety of dazzling colours like flame red or banana skin yellow there is no escaping the traditional Jeep branding with its seven-slot grille and round headlamps.

Admittedly, today’s Jeep models come with a lot more creature comforts than those commissioned by the US Army back in 1941 and the Wrangler was kitted out with a great CD sound system complete with seven speakers, air con, cruise control and lots more.

And the list of safety specifications doesn’t disappoint either with anti-lock brakes, power steering, numerous airbags and an immobiliser to keep unwanted attention at bay.

The folding soft roof on the Jamboree takes a little getting used to with its zips and levers rather than the push button controls we have become accustomed to these days.

But the longer I spent behind the wheel, the more the ruggedness of the Jeep’s appeal grew.

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