Overview & Reviews

Perhaps the quintessential niche vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler has held the crown of ultimate affordable off-roader ever since it was first offered to the general public. This SUV's lineage goes back more than 60 years to the original military "Jeep," the legendary 4x4 that transported World War II soldiers and supplies over very rough terrain. Since then, the Wrangler's off-road prowess and tough-guy image have never wavered, but nor has it been the most civilized vehicle on the planet.

Jeep has attempted to make the latest-generation Wrangler more livable, and indeed it boasts an available four-door body style, a more contemporary interior, strong V6 power and added safety and convenience features. But die-hard Jeep enthusiasts shouldn't be too worried. The latest Wrangler stays true to its original purpose of providing rugged off-road capability and distinctive style, with creature comforts a distant third. Love it or hate it, the Wrangler just keeps on marching to its own beat.

Current Jeep Wrangler
The current Wrangler is available in two body styles: a short-wheelbase two-door or the long-wheelbase four-door Unlimited. Both come in bare-bones Sport, midlevel Sahara or hard-core Rubicon trim. Despite the Wrangler's rough-and-tumble image, there are a number of luxury and convenience items available like heated leather seats, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, navigation and an Infinity sound system.

All Jeep Wranglers come with a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Four-wheel drive is also standard and includes high- and low-range gearing. A six-speed manual transmission with hill-start assist is standard, while a five-speed automatic is optional. This engine is quite the revelation, endowing the traditionally ponderous Wrangler with both quick acceleration and decent fuel economy.

In reviews, we've noted that the Wrangler remains the go-to choice among serious off-roaders thanks to its compact dimensions (provided you choose the two-door version), high ground clearance, steep approach and departure angles and no-nonsense four-wheel-drive system with an aggressive low-range function. Even the most basic Wrangler can venture places that most mass-market vehicles could never dream of. The Rubicon furthers those capabilities with extra features such as a special transfer case, knobbier tires and electronic locking differentials.

Make no mistake, though; buying a Wrangler is a commitment. The ride can be jarring, interior noise on the highway can be deafening and handling is poor. With its removable doors, zip-up plastic windows and hose-out interior, the Wrangler may be too rough for many consumers. But the trade-off is worth it for true fans, as nothing else can match the Wrangler's capabilities and iconic image.

Used Jeep Wrangler Models
The current, third-generation Jeep Wrangler debuted for the 2007 model year. It's larger and more refined than the previous generation. Key changes include a stiffer structure and more insulation for a quieter (though still raucous) ride; the introduction of a four-door variant (known as the Wrangler Unlimited); and added power under the hood, with the big bump coming in 2012. Styling is familiar, but although the standard Wrangler retains roughly the same short length as before, its increased width helps to improve passenger comfort.

Until 2012, the only engine available was a 3.8-liter V6 that produced a rather anemic 202 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque. The arrival of the "Pentastar" 3.6-liter V6 put unprecedented pep in the Wrangler's step, and it brought a new five-speed automatic that replaced the four-speed unit offered with the 3.8-liter engine. A rear-drive version of the Unlimited was also available until 2012. Prior to 2011, the Wrangler's cabin featured lower-quality materials and a less visually appealing design. There were fewer luxury and convenience items available, while stability control was not standard.

Another notable change is that the standard vinyl soft top was harder to remove prior to a design tweak implemented for 2010. The Unlimited's roof was improved further for 2013, along with the seats in all Wranglers.

The previous, second generation of the Wrangler bowed in 1997 after a one-year hiatus, and marked a return to the classic Jeep face with its round headlights. It was sold through the 2006 model year. A new dash modestly modernized the cabin upon its debut, while a coil-spring suspension improved on-road comfort. Dual front airbags and the option of antilock brakes made the Wrangler safer, too. Of course, all the ingredients (such as generous ground clearance, skid plates and a crawl gear for the transfer case) that made the original CJ so capable off-road remained.

Base SE (2.5-liter, 120-hp inline-4), Sport (4.0-liter, 190-hp inline-6, fancy wheels and graphics) and Sahara (4.0-liter six, air-conditioning, upgraded upholstery, CD player) trims were offered initially. By 2003, the Wrangler "X" (slotted above the SE and featuring the inline-6) and "Rubicon" (featuring hardcore off-road equipment such as a super-low range in the transfer case, 31-inch tires and locking Dana axles front and rear) trims debuted. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual and three-speed automatic, the latter upgraded to a four-speed unit for 2003.

In 2004, Jeep introduced the Wrangler Unlimited model; it still had only two doors, but a 10-inch wheelbase stretch provided a significant increase in rear legroom and cargo capacity. A Rubicon version of the Unlimited arrived the following year, and a six-speed manual gearbox replaced the five-speed.

In reviews, we praised the second-generation Jeep Wrangler for its off-road agility and personality, but scorned the plastic side windows, fussy soft top and poor fuel economy. We deemed it fair at best for commuter duty, considering the vehicle's loud and busy ride at freeway speeds. After logging some miles in a Rubicon version, we decided its immense off-road capacity was beyond compare, but braking distances (even with ABS) were long, gas mileage was mediocre, and as a daily driver it was simply too harsh and bouncy on the blacktop. The standard, non-Rubicon version of the Wrangler Unlimited had slightly better road manners, thanks to its longer wheelbase and revised suspension tuning.

Consumer feedback on this Wrangler is generally favorable, with most folks enjoying the fun factor despite echoing our sentiments about the annoying soft top and fuel mileage. Reliability is a mixed bag, with a few respondents citing many troubles where others had none.

The first Jeep Wrangler (1986-'95) had square headlights and, on some trims, monochromatic fender flares and rocker panel extensions, the latter an odd "of the times" styling touch on such a retro vehicle. Initially, a choice of a 2.5-liter four or a 4.2-liter six-cylinder engine was offered, and buyers could get a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic. One of the biggest improvements during this generation came for 1991, when a new, 4.0-liter inline-6 with 180 hp replaced the ancient 4.2-liter unit that had just 112 hp. Trim levels during this time ranged from base S through Islander, Sahara and top-of-the-line Laredo and, after 1990, Renegade.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car, Holds its Value - 1999 Jeep Wrangler
  By oscar 1 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Reliable & fun to drive. Low gas mileage for a small vehicle, but tons of power under the hood.

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  "1995 Rio Grande" - 1995 Jeep Wrangler
  By Acuracee55qt - October 31 - 12:30 pm

  I always wanted a Wrangler due to the fact you can drive with the top down and doors off. Im 24, I love to mountain bike and snowboard. The ride is very rigid on the highway and if you lift it, it gets a little worse. I opted for the 4" Rough Country lift and its really stiff now. The mileage does suffer after you get bigger tires. 190 miles to the tank on 33s and about 220 miles with 31s. 13-gal tank. The off roading makes up for it. Space is VERY limited. If you can afford one get a 99 or above; so much better with coil springs. 4 cylinder is cheaper for a reason. They got no power at all. Only in low range off road does the gearing make up for it. I have all the tops and doors and they all come in handy.

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  3rd and counting - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
  By TT - October 30 - 2:06 am

  This is my 3rd Wrangler, 97 & 05 unlimited, before this one. I have had NO problems with this or any of the others. I see a lot of people talking about a death wobble I have never in the 2 before or in this one had anything like that and I have taken many road trips that were well over 500 miles one way in my Jeeps.

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  built jeep tough - 2004 Jeep Wrangler
  By joe lo - October 29 - 10:00 am

  i have always owned jeeps, they are great vehicals, they are very reliable, fun to drive, and the build quality is amazing. when you own a jeep you have the best of both worlds, fun in the summer time with the removable soft top and doors and in the winter time you have the trail rated 4wd system. they are very strong and reliable, i have jumped jeeps, taken them through trails that people wouldent wanna walk on and they handle everything great. as far as driving on the road they are pretty smooth at highway speeds, but tend to be bumpy on streets because of the straight axle setup that makes their 4wd system amazing.

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  best hunting vehicle there is - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
  By J.B.D.S. - October 28 - 2:10 pm

  This Jeep is great I have been a truck guy all my life and was looking at new vehicles and decided to try the 4 door Rubicon. I am loving it goes more places then my fx4 ever thought about going doesnt bottom out over the tx terrian when Im going to the deer stand. I got the hard top wish I had the soft top also for summer looking to buy one my wife didnt want me to buy this and now she drives it more then I do going to have to trade her car in for a another one I recomend this vehicle to anyone. Took it to sedona az in the mountains and it was great no problems did anything I wanted to do. This is the best vehicle I have ever owned keeping till the wheels fall off.

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  Jeep - Yes, Chrysler - oh no - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By Max - October 27 - 12:53 am

  Style: Lucky me - 2000 Wrangler in Desert Sand Pearl (like the one shown) is the best Jeep design ever. Liked by kids from 0 to 100 and up. Jeep did not cut any corners making body panels "more technological". Was it the last steel-grille, steel-bumper in production? Drive: I wish it had an all-time 4x4. Spins at rabbit starts on wet road in 4x2 at once. The rest is - King of the Hill!! Failure: Now, Chrysler steps in to make the beauty of worst ingredients. A rusty piece of door chipped off on 11th month. Front rotors replaced at 9K miles. Rear differential broke at 14K. Front wheel joints worn at 20K. Both front stabilizer bar rods broke apart at 30K, no offroading. Water pump gone at 50K.

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  Fun Jeep Sahara - 1999 Jeep Wrangler
  By lmm - October 22 - 12:50 am

  My Jeep is really fun to play around with during the winter and it is really reliable. I havent got stuck yet and it preforms great. Plus they are the most fun to modify.

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  Fun - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By Richard the first - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I have my Jeep for six years now. It has over 110,000 miles but its still running strong. Sure there were a few things went wrong, I had to replace the catalytic converter and the exhaust manifold. Overall, its a great vehicle. I love the short wheel base that allows me to fit into the tightest parking space in the parking nightmare downtown Boston. I love the go-any-where that allows me to park on the most ridicules ice and snow covered spot no other car can get to, and best of all, I dont have to shovel for hours to dig out my Jeep after a big snow strom.

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  Fun Ride - 2009 Jeep Wrangler
  By Kurt - October 15 - 5:40 pm

  It is nothing fancy but what a fun car to own. Have both a Wrangler and BMW 750i. Would much rather drive the Jeep. Nothing better than cruising around with the top down on a Saturday afternoon. I highly recommend this vehicle. Get ready to wave at all the other Jeep owners. You are part of a family.

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  Worth the Purchase - 1997 Jeep Wrangler
  By natestj - October 15 - 5:03 pm

  This vehicle is awesome! Fun to drive, especially in the summer with the top off. I bought it with 74K miles and now have over 98k. Every time I change the oil it looks exactly the same as when I put it in, clean! No problems with engine or transmission. Excellent capability in the snow, never stuck once. The 6 cylinder is a must, despite poor gas mileage. Comfort isnt too bad, but the ride is that of a Jeep, its supposed to be a little rough. Right? The only minor problems Ive had is replacing the sway bar brackets and bushings. Also the universal joints on the drive shaft seem to wear out quick. They make a very annoying clicking sound when you take off out of first gear.