4 photos
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or crawling over them in your old 4×4 while living off the grid) you’ve heard about the redesigned 2019 Jeep Wrangler. You can tell at a glance that the new Wrangler has grown in all the right ways, and when spotted next to the previous generation “JK” Wrangler, the latter appears outdated and cheap. All the traditional Wrangler cues are there: exposed bolts for removing the doors, a grille comprised of seven vertical slats that taper slightly backwards at the top (a nod to the “YJ” Wrangler), and a windshield that folds down, but now with greater ease than ever. The new Wrangler is still the same capable-as-hell off-roader it’s always been, especially in Rubicon form, but finally modern: Jeep so thoroughly addressed the truck’s longstanding gripes that the Wrangler no longer needs excuses made for it.
The Good: Until the diesel powerplant arrives, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the engine to get: the extra 35 lb-ft of torque it claims over the V6 also comes on 1,800 rpm earlier. Merging into highway traffic is no longer a sweat-inducing adventure, and at cruising speeds the 2.5-inch wider track vastly improves stability over previous generations. The last Wrangler Rubicon I drove, a Wrangler JK, was hairy above 65 mph, but the new Wrangler JL feels solid as can be, even at SoCal six-lane speeds. In addition to the new turbo-four engine, the interior is completely redesigned and finally looks and feels premium, with upscale features like a heated steering wheel and FCA’s excellent 8.4-inch touchscreen, now available in the Wrangler as a $1,200 option. It’s Apple CarPlay- and Android Auto-ready, offers Wi-Fi connectivity and provides a crisp view from the backup camera that looks through the middle of the spare tire mounted at the center of the tailgate. Same old Wrangler, all-new benefits.
Who It’s For: Few vehicles enjoy the Wrangler’s broad cross-generational appeal, though the Rubicon-badged two-door is more of a specialist vehicle intended for serious off-roading. Opting for the two-door over the four-door Unlimited gives a more compact package (easier to live within cramped urban areas) that somehow manages to deliver a livable backseat, even for passengers of the 6’3 variety. If you’re looking to get out and explore, don’t need to haul a bunch of cargo and aren’t constantly driving friends or family around, the two-door Wrangler is for you.
Watch Out For: New technology will always cost extra, and that’s true for engines. Downsizing from the V6 to the four-cylinder turbo will cost you $1,000 — and since the eight-speed automatic transmission is the only option for that engine, add another $2K. That’s a $3,000 premium for the smaller engine, and with safety options and interior appointments, the Rubicon’s price tag can push well past $50K.
