2026 Jeep Wrangler assessment | CarExpert

Let’s be actual – the Jeep Wrangler two-door is a press release.

It is a automobile that may be very succesful off-road, however it’s additionally a two-door with a detachable roof, and it’s not precisely low cost. All of which tells the world that the proprietor might be an outdoorsy, adventure-seeking individual with no youngsters and wholesome funds.

Whereas the mannequin has historical past relationship again 85 years, 2026 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Wrangler in Australia, with the unique mannequin costing $29,990 – roughly the identical worth as a Holden Commodore Government on the time.

That will make the brand new Wrangler’s $82,000 price-tag appear costly, however in line with the RBA’s inflation calculator, the unique 1996 mannequin could be price greater than $97,000 in right this moment’s cash.

For off-road fanatics, the Wrangler comes with some spectacular package. Together with two-wheel drive, on-demand four-wheel drive, and high- and low-range four-wheel drive, Jeep has given it locking differentials entrance and rear, button-activated sway-bar disconnection, and Dana stable axles at each ends.

Gone is the three.6-litre petrol V6, changed with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with first rate efficiency numbers.

However in contrast to the dual-cab Jeep Gladiator ute, which stretches throughout three time zones, our two-door Wrangler is a short-wheelbase mannequin by its nature, making it a extra compelling argument for these Bear Grylls varieties which are compelled to work within the metropolis.

Final 12 months, Jeep revised the Wrangler lineup, dropping costs – after a number of years of will increase – whereas axing a number of variants. Simply the Wrangler Rubicon is left, obtainable as a two-door or an ‘Limitless’ four-door, however with extra customary options than earlier than.

What we need to know is, after three many years on sale in Australia, is the Jeep Wrangler nonetheless related?

How a lot does the Jeep Wrangler value?

As talked about, the Wrangler is now priced from round $82,000, with the Rubicon being the only variant obtainable – and patrons are merely given the choice of what number of doorways they want.

Nevertheless, for a restricted time, Jeep has a limited-edition Wrangler eighty fifth Anniversary obtainable for $88,490 earlier than on-road prices – which is pricey, however it comes with some fairly cool yellow plaid upholstery.

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

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What’s the Jeep Wrangler like on the within?

For those who’re on the lookout for a luxurious cabin, you’ve come to the mistaken place.

Don’t get me mistaken, the Wrangler comes with an honest quantity of package – and is astonishingly nicely constructed – however this gained’t provide the Day Spa expertise like so many different new vehicles attempt to lately.

It’s an odd mixture of utilitarian design, premium supplies, questionable packaging and ergonomics, and a stage of construct high quality that might nicely be the most effective within the trade. It’s a troublesome idea to get your head round at occasions.

Visibility is absolutely wonderful – even with the letterbox windscreen – due to the compact dimensions and the cube-like form of the cabin.

Whereas it has a pleasant large central infotainment display screen and a digital display screen for the driving force, the latter is mounted between two analogue gauges – making it one of many final vehicles on sale to have them. How quaint.

Jeep’s Uconnect 5 infotainment software program is crisp and good to make use of, and hundreds the wi-fi Apple CarPlay interface shortly. The reversing digicam is positioned higher than on the Jeep Gladiator I reviewed final 12 months, however you solely get ahead and reverse cameras, somewhat than 360-degree cameras, as is the norm throughout the trade.

Having owned a Jeep XJ Cherokee from the Nineties – which I liked regardless that it had an inside constituted of the identical kind of low cost plastic used to accommodate Woolworths muffins – I discovered the standard of the switchgear within the newest Wrangler to be astonishingly good. The crimson anodised toggle for the diff lockers is a very good contact, and offers a bit of splash of color that ties in with the crimson distinction stitching and Rubicon embroidery on the seats.

However, similar to the Gladiator, the indicator stalk feels prefer it got here out of a cereal field. Jeep might have used the stalk off a 1996 Wrangler and it will have felt extra acceptable than the flimsy, hole factor they selected to make use of.

Jeep was one of many first automakers to introduce hidden little ‘Easter Eggs’ – issues just like the postcode stamped into the Gladiator’s tub, a reference to town the place it’s constructed – however the firm might have taken a enjoyable thought and ruined it. As an alternative of Jeep emblems on the wheels and kit knob, there’s a profile drawing of the unique Willys GP from World Conflict II. It comes throughout like a toddler who has simply gotten their very first chuckle from a gaggle of adults, so that they hold repeating the joke advert nauseam.

Talking of, I used to be fortunate sufficient to drive an actual US army ‘jeep’ many moons in the past, belonging to an exquisite veteran named Marty. Whereas I cherished the expertise, if I needed to invade Normandy I believe I would somewhat be within the Rubicon.

Ergonomics within the Wrangler are good with out being nice. I just like the steering wheel place, however the lack of a lifeless pedal for the left foot is tiresome. The nappa leather-based upholstery feels very hardy and prime quality, however the seats themselves had me beginning to ache after about 1.5 hours on the street, regardless of being moderately nicely supported for off-roading. Each entrance pews are heated, however solely the driving force’s is electrical. Air flow would have been good on the hotter summer season days too.

There are again seats, however it’s a little bit of an effort to entry them, and they need to be thought-about for emergencies somewhat than common use. You are much better off simply stowing the second row of seats and growing the usable space for storing from 365 to 898 litres – supplying you with nearly 90 per cent of the boot house you get in a LandCruiser 300 Collection in five-seat configuration. Although it is price noting that totally different automakers measure their boot house in another way…

Talking of summer season, we did get an opportunity to take away the 2 entrance roof panels one sunny Saturday afternoon, which have been light-weight and simple to pop on and off. From her aggressive gesticulating, it appeared like my Passenger Princess appeared to be having fun with her impromptu blow-dry (not that I might hear her). In truth, she was so blissful along with her new, fashion-forward hairdo that she didn’t speak to me as soon as till we arrived on the restaurant. Having a targa-top convertible in a short-wheelbase, muscular off-road package deal is fairly enjoyable, although.

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s beneath the bonnet?

As talked about, Jeep has binned the Wrangler’s previous 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre petrol V6 and changed it with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, placing out 200kW of energy and 400Nm of torque by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission.

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How does the Jeep Wrangler drive?

Nostril to tail, the Wrangler two-door is nearly 23 per cent shorter than the Gladiator dual-cab, in addition to nearly 550mm shorter than the Limitless four-door.

Having had a bit of private expertise with short-wheelbase SUVs up to now, together with FJ40 and LJ70 LandCruisers, I do know missing within the size division can have a huge impact on the way in which issues journey. I imply, so I’ve heard. Ahem.

However the Wrangler truly rides fairly nicely, a lot to my shock. There’s no bucking, and it tends to journey throughout pace humps and potholes comparatively easily.

It’s additionally fairly good within the metropolis. Whereas the cabin itself isn’t all that vast, the guards stick out to present the tyres a spread-out footprint, so that you do should be a bit of extra conscious of your lane placement. Nevertheless, parking the Wrangler is a breeze, even with out 360-degree cameras. Nimble isn’t the fitting phrase, however on the street, it does really feel comparatively agile for an even bigger woman. Like an English Bulldog with the zoomies.

The steering is in contrast to any new automobile I can keep in mind driving in current reminiscence, although, Gladiator included. It’s fairly a sluggish rack, requiring a couple of spins lock-to-lock, however the odd factor is the steering doesn’t need to return to centre – which could have one thing to do with the recirculating ball steering, which is nice for off-roading however was retired by most automobile corporations within the Nineties. And as a result of shortness of the wheelbase, the automobile rotates shortly, which means you must be simply as fast to roll off the steering lock in tight corners.

When you’re conscious of it, you get used to the steering fairly shortly.

Now, what I’m questioning is that if this was a deliberate determination by Jeep engineers. I’m wondering in the event that they’ve completed analysis and located {that a} vital proportion of householders match suspension carry kits and steering dampers, so the wheel caster within the Wrangler has been designed in such a technique to accommodate these issues.

I’m not making an attempt to apologise for the Wrangler or clarify its oddities away, however I did have the identical thought with the Gladiator’s breakover angle. Are these vehicles being made with the concept most can have large tyres and suspension kits slapped on as quickly as they depart the dealership lot? If Instagram is something to go by, that’s definitely the case within the US.

It additionally took me a short while to click on with the brand new turbocharged engine. Driving in a relaxed trend, the powertrain felt a bit of outdated. The automated was oftentimes sluggish to react – getting caught out within the mistaken gear once I wanted to go for a spot – whereas the engine displayed some turbo lag on take-off.

The earlier V6 was a little bit of a wheezy previous unit that didn’t do a lot until you gave it an excellent kick within the guts, however it was easy. Driving slowly, the brand new four-cylinder doesn’t match the V6 in that method. I used to be additionally doubting whether or not the 200kW and 400Nm have been actual numbers.

Then I started turning the wick up, so to talk, and that’s the place the powertrain actually begins to make extra sense. For those who wish to drive at six-tenths in every single place, the turbocharged Wrangler is keen and able to be your ride-or-die.

Once more, it’s a type of odd tuning choices by Jeep that makes me marvel if there’s only one dude named Chad within the engineering division who solely units up these vehicles to swimsuit his private driving model and the modifications he’s going to make.

However when you begin to drive like Chad – making use of a stage of aggressiveness that gained’t fairly produce other street customers calling the police, however might have the monocle fall off the face of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver you simply blasted previous – the Wrangler actually comes into its personal. It’s surprisingly swift whenever you want it to be.

Bear in mind although, this factor is on aggressive off-road tyres, has a brief wheelbase, and makes use of a protracted steering ratio with entrance wheels that don’t need to return to centre. This isn’t like getting right into a Volkswagen Golf R, which you’ll drive shortly with fists like ham hocks, and the factor will take care of you it doesn’t matter what. What I am saying is, be secure, please.

Whereas I didn’t get an opportunity to take the Wrangler off-road, the V6-powered Gladiator I had earlier than was extraordinarily succesful. With the eagerness of that turbocharged engine, it has me dreaming of an empty seaside or open discipline. No one talks about them in the identical breath, however I believe the Wrangler could be simply as enjoyable to assault a desert in as a Ford Ranger Raptor – maybe much more so.

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What do you get?

In mid-2025, Jeep slimmed down the Wrangler lineup, dropping the extra inexpensive Sport S and Overland trims, whereas decreasing the value of the feature-packed Rubicon.

2026 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon gear highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 32-inch off-road tyres
• LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• Gorilla glass windscreen
• Acoustic laminated entrance door glass
• Rock-Trac four-wheel drive
• 4 skid plates
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Ahead-facing TrailCam
• 12-way power-adjustable entrance driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar
• Heated entrance seats
• Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• 240-amp alternator
• Auxiliary change financial institution

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

Is the Jeep Wrangler secure?

All Jeep Wrangler autos constructed after January 1, 2026 are unrated by ANCAP, with the earlier three-star rating from 2019 expiring after six years.

The Jeep Wrangler comes with the next security options:

• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Entrance and front-side airbags
• First- and second-row facet curtain airbags
• Rear seat reminder
• Tyre stress monitoring

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How a lot does the Jeep Wrangler value to run?

The Jeep Wrangler has service intervals of 12 months or 12,000km – whichever comes first – which is best than the 12-month/10,000km intervals of many Toyota off-road fashions, however not so good as the 12-month/15,000km intervals supplied with a big selection of different off-road autos.

Nevertheless, all annual logbook providers are capped at $399 by means of Jeep’s dealership community.

As with the remainder of the Jeep vary, the Wrangler will get a five-year guarantee – although that expires on the 100,000km mark, whereas many rivals supply longer guarantee durations with limitless mileage.

To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

CarExpert’s tackle the Jeep Wrangler

I’d simply stepped out of a Leapmotor C10 electrical SUV earlier than I jumped into the Jeep Wrangler – each being merchandise associated to Jeep mum or dad firm Stellantis – and it’s laborious to think about two vehicles with extra polar philosophies. Simply one thing that struck me on the time.

I had the same expertise with the Wrangler as I had with its larger pickup sibling, the Gladiator. It each impressed and perplexed me in methods I couldn’t have imagined, however actually endeared itself to me by the point I needed to hand again the keys.

More often than not, the powertrain felt prefer it wasn’t it – together with the ergonomics, the vibration of the knobbly off-road tyres at strolling pace, the pirate-ship steering…

However then whenever you pull all of the levers in simply the fitting method – when it comes to the way you strategy and transact with the Wrangler – all the things clicks into place. All of it immediately is sensible.

Now, some individuals might discover the Jeep fits them completely from the get-go, however for everybody else it’ll be as much as you to adapt to the automobile to get probably the most out of it. It will be very simple to stroll away from the Jeep after a fast drive with some less-than-positive ideas.

Then there’s the value tag of $82,000. There are a complete lot of autos obtainable for that sort of cash, however none of them will give you the off-road functionality, the simple parking maneuverability, or the targa-top convertible expertise the Wrangler does. It’s in a category of its personal, constructed for many who need one thing extra from life than the mundane.

They don’t come alongside usually, however the Wrangler is an ideal instance of a automobile that’s greater than its brochure. There are such a lot of dimensions to this factor, and it takes an excellent whereas to get to know them.

After my time with the Wrangler, I discovered it had this assured, flawed character about it, which for some will probably be a giant turn-off. For others – like me – it’s a beguiling automobile. The kind you wouldn’t suggest to anybody you favored, however you’d purchase for your self in a heartbeat if the chance introduced itself.

This is to a different 30 years.

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