The new 2022 Jeep Wrangler is a retro-styled off-roader that pays homage to the rugged Jeeps from World War II. But it comes with modern conveniences, including an eight-speaker stereo, a powerful engine, superb off-road capability, cruise control, and touchscreen infotainment features. Up-level trims offer luxury amenities such as ambient interior lighting, leather upholstery, onboard Wi-Fi, in-dash navigation, and a power-operated soft top. Read on to know what you can expect from this mid-size SUV.
Pros:
– Muscular engine options
– Exceptional off-road ability
– User-friendly infotainment system
Is the Jeep Wrangler a Good Buy?
Yes, it is. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler has several impressive qualities. The interiors are reasonably roomy, especially in the four-door Unlimited models, and it features an intuitive infotainment system. The Wrangler is an exceptional off-roader, and its muscular engine lineup features four-, six-, or eight-cylinder options.
What’s different about the 2021 and 2022 Jeep Wranglers?
Jeep has announced that the Xtreme Recon package will be available as an option for the Wrangler Willys trim in 2022. This package was previously reserved for Rubicon-trim Wranglers, but it’s now available on other models too. It includes larger 35-inch tires and axles with a taller 4.56 gear ratio.
Over the last few years, Jeep has made several key changes in its Wrangler line:
- 2022: Xtreme Recon package has been made available more widely
- 2021: A Wrangler 4×4 and Rubicon 392 models were released; additionally, the Xtreme Recon package became available
- 2020: a turbodiesel engine was added to the lineup
- 2019: adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning became available
- 2018: start of fully redesigned Wrangler JL generation with updated interior styling and materials, a new turbo-four engine, and more available features, including blind spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
Wrangler Engine
The 2022 Wrangler is available with five different engine options. The standard is a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, which can be paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, when pushed hard, can sound coarse. However, it is powerful enough to move the Wrangler comfortably through both town and highway traffic. Jeep’s eTorque mild-hybrid system, which improves acceleration and reduces fuel consumption, can be paired with it.
While the manual transmission has long throws, it’s still workable. The automatic is well-known for its smooth and prompt shifts—it comes standard with all other engines.
Next, the Wrangler is available with a 270-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that feels punchier than its base V6 counterpart despite producing less power. Its optional turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter V6 generating 260 horsepower, sounds rather rough when pushed hard. The Rubicon 392 is at the top of the lineup with a 470 horsepower 6.4 liter V8 that drinks fuel at an alarming rate but can rocket this SUV from zero to sixty miles per hour in 4.5 seconds.
Wrangler Gas Mileage
When equipped with its base V6 engine, the Wrangler gets an EPA-rated 18 mpg in the city and 23 on highway trips; it earns 17/25 mpg when paired with a manual transmission. This improves fuel economy to 20/24 mpg when outfitted with the mild-hybrid system.
Wrangler Ride and Handling
Despite its many advances, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler is still a rock-solid SUV when it comes to off-road durability and handling. Its solid-axle suspension can send jitters and jolts through the cabin when driving on uneven pavement, which may be tiring on longer trips. While the steering might be relatively slow, the brakes provide ample stopping power.