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The world's best factory off-roader has been around for decades now and still hasn't given up the crown. The Jeep Wrangler has always been built to attack the trail. Even now, despite the latest JL generation being the plushest and most user-friendly variant ever released, the Wrangler retains enormous off-road capability even in completely stock form. As other rigs have gone soft over time, the Wrangler has only gotten more sophisticated and more capable. To help one decide which of these excellent mountain goats is best for them, here is our Orange Coast Jeep Wrangler Buyers Guide.
Early Wranglers were truly enthusiast-only bare-bones affairs, with only the bare minimum of on-road handling and the absolute maximum off-road capability available at the time. Over the years, however, Jeep managed to avoid the worst of those compromises, and now there aren't many compromises at all. However, it has been a long road to this point, and there are many Wrangler generations to choose from. Each model and generation presents a different mix of off-road capability, on-road suitability, and cost.
Early versions are the most hardcore and tend to be simpler and easier to work on as well. Their age makes their low cost not without pitfalls, though, and they are not always ideal for a beginner because there will be things that need to be fixed. Newer models are more expensive but also much nicer to drive on the road without sacrificing much of anything when back out in the dirt. The ideal platform for you is at some point in this spectrum, and what it all comes down to is finding the right mix of attributes that complements what you need in a vehicle.
The story of how the Jeep Wrangler came to be, or at least the broad strokes, is quite well known. Designed as a light scout vehicle for the US Army during World War II, the original Willys Jeep became popular stateside after the war as the CJ, or Civilian Jeep. These old beasts are as bare-bones as the original military models and have absolutely no frills or luxuries to speak of. Despite this generation's advanced age, it is still quite possible to find examples at relatively affordable prices. While certainly not daily-driver friendly, these old warhorses are extremely easy to work on.
The first true Wrangler came on the scene in the late 1980s, taking the go-anywhere philosophy and creating a consumer-grade version. Far safer and more comfortable than the spartan CJs, the YJ Wrangler was still a vehicle you could wash out with a hose, but a beginner could drive to the grocery store on the road without risk of mortal danger. This was due to dramatically better on-road manners than the 1940s era design of the CJ. Among many other improvements, the YJ introduced the classic 4.0-liter inline-six engine to the Wrangler, providing a healthy power increase over the old four-cylinder.
The TJ Wrangler continued the same trajectory as the YJ, but instead of simply meeting the bare minimum required to be safe to operate on the street, the TJ made an honest effort to actually be somewhat comfortable in the arena that Wranglers inevitably spent most of their time in. And while these Wranglers were actually livable on the street, rather than just safe, they actually gained capability off-road as well. The TJ saw the introduction of the iconic Rubicon high-performance trim, which boasted off-road features only dreamed of by the original CJ.
The JK generation is effectively when the Wrangler entered the modern era. Now available with four doors as the Wrangler Unlimited, the already high sales numbers skyrocketed. The JK is no more of a nuisance on the road than any other full-frame SUVs of the era and has all the standard features one would expect a normal vehicle to have, like an infotainment system and an interior generally not meant to be dunked in a river. However, the JK is still far more hardcore than other SUVs of this same time period, especially the crossovers other carmakers increasingly called SUVs. In addition to its stout and off-road friendly full-frame construction, all JK Wranglers were either four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. This was due to the off-road-focused nature of the Wrangler's four-wheel drive system, which, unlike most modern SUVs, was actually designed to be used in more challenging terrains than just snowy suburbia.
The current Wrangler generation is the most high-tech yet, but it is also the one with the best factory off-road credentials. Almost luxurious on the road and certainly posh when compared to any previous Wrangler, the JL melds modern expectations with raw, untamed off-road mastery. This includes a full array of infotainment and safety technologies to help you on the road and trail. A raft of new powertrain options doesn't hurt either, making the JL the most powerful and efficient Wrangler ever.
The JK and JL Wranglers come with many different options in terms of engines, and it's useful to know what can best suit your own needs. The most venerable powerplant on the list is the EGH V6, which in some ways is the predecessor to the current Pentastar V6 engine. Producing up to 202 horsepower, the EGH was the base engine for the JK until 2011. JKs with this power plant will be the least expensive, but if one views performance as a priority, this engine is not the best engine choice.
The Pentastar is a modern all-aluminum V6 making over 280 horsepower in the 2021 JK generation Wrangler. This engine is a solid all-rounder and can be found in other Jeep models, including the Gladiator, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee. However, this capable V6 is only the start of what the JL Wrangler offers.
The aptly named Hurricane is available on the current JL Wrangler and is a feisty 2.0-liter turbocharged hellion that punches well above its weight class. With 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, this turbine-enhanced engine matches the grunt of the Pentastar but with less displacement and, therefore, better efficiency in certain conditions.
The most powerful engine in the Wrangler lineup is the HEMI option in the 2021 Rubicon 392. This muscle car-derived 6.4-liter V8 belts out 470 all-American horsepower, turning the Wrangler into something of a muscle SUV. However, it is currently only available in a single trim.
The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel is a medium displacement turbo diesel engine that specializes in providing large amounts of torque and incredible range. First introduced for the 2020 model year, this mighty engine is a great option for off-road adventures, providing you are willing to deal with owning a diesel.
The 2021 Wrangler 4xe is a plug-in hybrid variant that dramatically increases efficiency while providing instant electric torque while off-roading. This is one hybrid that you should not underestimate, as its 375 horsepower puts it right behind the Rubicon 392 when it comes to the most powerful Wranglers in history.
As the most iconic vehicle in American automotive history, the Jeep Wrangler occupies a unique spot in the popular SUV category. The Wrangler is now just as popular among families chauffeuring kids to school and soccer practice as it is with weekend adventure seekers and off-roading enthusiasts. Jeep builds so many different Wrangler trims that finding yours can be confusing. That’s why we offer this Jeep Wrangler buyers guide.
Whether you want a traditional two-door model with vinyl seats you can hose down after a day on the trails, or you want all the bells-and-whistles, including leather seating and advanced infotainment technology, you’ll find it in the diverse Jeep Wrangler lineup. For 2022, the lineup includes two newer trims, the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe and the ferocious Rubicon 392, along with more than a dozen others.
Though the lineup continues evolving to suit modern tastes and preferences, what hasn’t changed is Jeep’s commitment to open-air adventure. All Jeep Wranglers wear the Trail Rated badge, which means they’re tuned to make child’s play of water fording, crawling over boulders, and maneuvering around logs and tight turns on backcountry trails. It’s a badge that symbolizes capability, and every Wrangler that rolls off the assembly line has one.
Jeep made history when it released the first-ever hybrid Wrangler in 2021, and the excitement continues for 2022 now that it has achieved best-seller status. To say the Wrangler 4xe was a success is a pretty big understatement: greencars.com reports that the Wrangler 4xe is the best-selling hybrid vehicle on the road, averaging a short 10.5-day stay on the showroom floor before being sold.
What’s special about the 2022 Wrangler 4xe is its no-compromises approach to fuel efficiency and capability. Both coexist, thanks to a powerful 375 horsepower engine that produces 470 pound-feet of torque yet allows for up to 21 miles of electric-only range and a whopping 370-mile total combined driving range, all while delivering an estimated 49 MPGe of fuel economy. This is truly a new era of Jeep Wrangler technology and one that honors sustainability.
Buyers can choose from three trims: the Sahara 4xe, the Rubicon 4xe, and the High Altitude 4xe. For the truest expression of Trail Rated capability, choose the Rubicon. It offers 33-inch all-terrain tires, a set of bumper-mounted tow hooks, and a full-time Rock-Track 4x4 system. You can even add a special windshield with Corning Gorilla glass for extra trail toughness. Meanwhile, the High Altitude includes luxury cabin features like leather seating and a premium Alpine sound system that takes full advantage of the 4xe’s cabin acoustics.
Drivers can use E-Selec driving modes to choose between all-electric, hybrid, or gas-only power. Choosing electric mode eliminates engine noise, making for a special trail-riding experience where all you hear is nature. Going fully electric means you won’t burn a drop of gas. If you have a short weekly commute, it’s possible to go gas-free all week, as overnight charging will replenish your battery while you sleep.
Hybrid mode is the default selection, and it optimizes performance and efficiency by drawing power from both the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and the onboard electric motors. This mode is where you’ll tap into max horsepower, the thrill of instantaneously available torque, and thrilling acceleration. In eSave mode, you’re relying on the gas-powered engine with stop-start technology, so fuel economy remains the priority.
Exhilaration is the first feeling most drivers experience after taking the Rubicon 392 for a test drive. The next? Disbelief. It’s the ultimate expression in Trail Rated capability, handling admirably in just about any extreme condition, from miles of undisturbed sandy desert to punishing rocky outcroppings. It looks as fierce as it performs, with plenty of exterior components designed for form and function. If you want the ultimate in Jeep capability, the Rubicon 392 was made for you.
The most powerful Wrangler ever, the Rubicon 392 features a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that unleashes a mighty 470 horsepower and an equal amount of torque, catapulting from zero-to-sixty in 4.5 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in only 13 seconds. Imagine all that power at the start of a miles-long desert trail. You’ll race over uneven, sandy terrain effortlessly in the Wrangler Rubicon 392.
Special features like a Hydro-Guide Air Induction System optimize engine performance and keep components cool while also separating water from the intake when traversing wet terrain. Drivers will love the selectable Dual-Mode Exhaust feature. Select Quiet Mode when you’re driving around town, and unleash Performance Mode to unleash the fiercest exhaust growls, leaving no doubt as to what’s under the hood.
The Wrangler Rubicon 392 is at home in any terrain, especially if it’s unpaved. As a Trail Rated Jeep, it offers category-leading articulation, maneuverability, ground clearance, and water fording, but because the Rubicon 392 gets its power from a powerful V8, it’s capable of tearing up trails like no other Jeep before it. A set of FOX aluminum shocks are standard, and buyers can add optional factory-installed 35-inch tires.
Jeep believes in open-air exploration, which is why the Rubicon 392 comes available with half doors for the first time in over a decade. An available TrailCam displays an image of the terrain ahead right on the infotainment touchscreen and even includes a lens cleaner to keep it free of mud and dirt. A set of locking differentials enhances off-road grip and driver confidence.
The Wrangler continues receiving accolades from automotive journalists and the mainstream press for its versatility and incredible capability, but for 2022, it receives kudos from several outlets that even further demonstrate its universal appeal. From sustainability to capability, the 2022 Wrangler lineup shines once again in the automotive press. As the most desirable nameplate in SUV history, the Jeep Wrangler continues its untouchable status as America’s favorite off-roading SUV, whether it’s a two-door base model or a luxurious four-door High Altitude.
Highlighting Jeep’s commitment to sustainability, the 2022 Wrangler 4xe received Best 4x4 honors from a consortium of 56 Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) jurors representing 40 countries. The WWCOTY panelists cited the 4xe’s sustainability as a key factor of its decision, lauding Jeep for its “commitment to the environment.” As the most eco-friendly Jeep in the lineup, the praise is well-deserved.
The 2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 earned MotorTrend’s 2022 Four Wheeler SUV of the Year award. As the first-ever V8-powered Jeep, the Rubicon 392 is a long time coming for Jeep enthusiasts, who especially appreciate the automaker’s decision to plunk the biggest HEMI V8 of them all––the 6.4-liter–under the Rubicon 392’s hood. The 392 cubic inch powerhouse achieves 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, officially more than any Jeep before it.
It’s not all about niche Jeeps, says the automotive press. Consider that Jeep was chosen by Newsweek Autos Awards as the brand with the Best SUV Lineup. As the unequivocal flagship nameplate, the iconic Wrangler anchors the entire Jeep lineup, setting the tone for a sense of adventure and infusing other Jeep models with the same rugged Trail Rated essence.
At Orange Coast, we get it. We know how important it is to have the ability to go anywhere, and we are far better equipped than most dealerships to make sure you can indeed go anywhere. For most customers, this means matching them with one of the best Jeeps from our expansive inventory and helping them find the low prices as affordable financing they need.
But for some, this means going through Orange Coast Motorsports for a custom approach to adventure. We specialize in doing what other dealers don't, building modified high-performance Jeeps made to do what no other vehicle can. If you ever feel the need to get out and discover what lies beyond the beaten track, come on by and view what we have to offer. Whether in person or online, it will be well worth the time.
