2022 Jeep Wrangler Buyer’s Guide

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most customizable SUVs on the planet, and it’s a top choice among off-road enthusiasts around the world for its versatility and capability to go anywhere. With 12 trims, four engines, three types of tops, three four-wheel drive systems, and two body styles, there is a 2022 Jeep Wrangler for everyone. Read this guide and discover which options you need to build the right Wrangler for your next adventure, and feel free to visit Orange Coast to ask us for more details.

Body Styles

For 2022, the Jeep Wrangler comes in two main body styles—two-door and four-door. The two-door body is best for those who won’t need to use the back seat for passengers very often and don’t need much cargo space behind the rear seats. The longer four-door will be the best choice for families or drivers who plan to travel off-road with passengers. Serious off-roaders tend to choose the two-door for its shorter length because it more readily negotiates inclines with better approach and departure angles. Another option Jeep offers is the half-door body style, which lowers door height for better views while trail riding.

Roof Options

The Wrangler comes in 3 different roof options. The Sunrider Soft Top is a cloth top that allows for easy removal. The Sunrider comes in either black or tan cloth material and has the option of being zipperless. Upgrade to the Sunrider for the Hardtop choice, and the cloth cover is reduced to the size of a sunroof that can partially open above the front seats. The Freedom Hardtop option comprises three pieces that make up the roof and is built to be removed either as a sunroof style opening or a fully open roof that can come in black or body color. The Sky One-Touch Power Top roof is a perfect marriage of the soft-top roof over hardtop sides and then powered, so it opens with the press of a button. There is no need to store any parts or unzip any fabric to enjoy open-air riding.

Engines

The more standard 2.0-liter I4 is available for most trims of the lineup and has plenty of power to play in the mud with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ranges between 21 mpg (miles per gallon) in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, and it can tow up to 3,500 lbs. The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 has the power and longevity of a diesel engine with the best fuel economy, coming in at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. This translates into a powerful 260 hp and incredible 442 lb-ft of torque for tackling all kinds of terrain. Towing remains at a sturdy 3,500 lbs.

Moving onto more powerful engines, we have the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 Mild Hybrid. The mighty Pentastar engine meets a mild hybrid system to create a more fuel-conscious engine that handles terrain with gusto. With 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the low-end power range available with the eTorque of the hybrid is impressive. A fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway is good for V6 power, which still affords up to 3,500 lbs for towing. Lastly, we have the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy isn’t as high at 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, but it will tow up to 3,500 lbs like its sibling engines, and it’s standard for most of the lineup.

4×4 Systems

Like engine options, the 4×4 systems available for Wranglers in 2022 have choices for different types of off-roading needs. The Command-Trac system is found in most Wrangler trims, and is a capable part-time four-wheel drive system with an excellent low range for handling trails with steep inclines or for slow rock crawls. For this system, the driver has the option of manually engaging the four-wheel drive when it’s needed. The Selec-Trac system provides full-time 4×4 capability and is electronically controlled, so the driver doesn’t have to worry about choosing when to engage. On dry roads, the system will automatically revert to powering two wheels, and when it senses slippage, it will engage all four wheels for more traction. This is available across most of the Jeep Wrangler lineup as an option. Finally, the Rock-Trac system offers the most low-end torque and best 4:1 gear ratio for off-roading, and it also keeps the power in the hands of the driver to choose to gear with the transfer case. It is standard for the Rubicon trim.

The Trims

The Sport model is the most basic, making it the most affordable, and is often chosen as the option for building the Jeep as a customized off-roader. Manual windows and door locks, two front tow hooks, one rear tow hook, fog lights, a rearview camera, and 17-inch steel wheels are the main features found in this Wrangler. Skid plates cover essentials like the transfer case, fuel tank, and transmission, and Infotainment includes a five-inch touchscreen loaded with Uconnect 3, a single USB port, AM/FM radio, and Bluetooth. The Willys Sport trim builds upon the Sport but retains the manual windows and door locks. It has upgraded aluminum alloy wheels, 32-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, heavy-duty shocks, and a limited-slip differential for increased off-roading hardware.

The Sport S adds powered windows and locks, air conditioning, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Infotainment features upgrade to a larger seven-inch touchscreen which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the Uconnect 4 system. This infotainment display can be upgraded to a larger screen with more options like navigation and traffic information from Sirius XM, as well as adding WiFi. An Alpine audio system is also available for this trim. Heated exterior mirrors are standard, and heated front seats are optional.

The Willys model puts together the Willys Sport and Sport S features and comes with larger 32-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, and other off-road hardware of the Willys Sport, while including the interior upgrades of the Sport S. Climate control, the larger seven-inch infotainment screen, and powered doors and locks are all included. For buyers in search of more automated off-roading, the Sahara comes with the Selec-Trac 4×4 system, larger 18-inch wheels, and the more fuel-friendly 2.0-liter I4 engine. A larger 8.4-inch touchscreen includes the Uconnect 4C with navigation, WiFi, Sirius XM trial, and traffic data.

As the most capable of all Wranglers, the Rubicon comes with the most off-road-ready equipment in the lineup. Dana 44 axles, front and rear e-lockers, an electronically disconnecting sway bar, and the Rock-Trac 4×4 system provide more durability for serious off-roading with a 100:1 crawl ratio. The 17-inch wheels are clad in off-road tires, and rock rails offer extra protection against damage on the trail. Options to add an off-road grille-mounted camera, body-color fender flares, and steel bumpers take the Rubicon to the next level of capability. Where the Rubicon lacks creature comforts, the Rubicon 392 offers them as standard. Though the 392 doesn’t have the same low-range gearing and axle ratios as the Rubicon, it has most of the same off-road equipment with the addition of the Alpine sound system, heated leather seats, two-inch lift for better ground clearance, and driver-assist features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind-Spot Monitoring.

Packages and More

Every Wrangler trim has virtually limitless ways to customize the standard features, including packages that bundle specific features to keep pricing affordable. Options like Corning Gorilla Glass for the windshield, beadlock-capable wheels, and new availability of the Mopar Door-Off Mirror Kit are a few of the choices to be found within the lists of accessories. Building your new 2022 Jeep Wrangler should be as much of an adventure as the first time you take it on the trail. Come to Orange Coast to learn about the options for building the perfect Jeep suited to the terrain you plan to discover!