What’s New in the Jeep Wrangler: A Detailed Overview

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most-liked 4x4s in the world and has a huge fan following. The modern-day Wrangler that we know today has been around since the late-1980s – the current-gen JL model debuted in 2017. The Jeep Wrangler seems like an almost perfect fit, given the sprawling sand dunes and wadis in Saudi Arabia.

Unlike many modern 4x4s, the Jeep Wrangler stubbornly retains a traditional ladder-frame chassis and old-school live axles. The Wrangler is available in 2-door and 4-door versions in most markets, with the latter being a more practical choice. In KSA, the Jeep Wrangler competes with the Ford Bronco and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, among others.

Variants & Price

There are three main variants of the Jeep Wrangler 4-door in Saudi Arabia. The Wrangler’s base variant is called the Sport S, and it costs SAR 221,499. You will have to pay SAR 264,999 for the Wrangler’s mid-spec Sahara. In case you want the fully-loaded Wrangler Rubicon, you will have to cough up SAR 296,499.

 

Exterior

The Jeep Wrangler’s look is as iconic as its off-road capabilities. Its general design characteristics might be old in the tooth now, but the Wrangler has no trouble pulling enamored clients its way. The JL generation Wrangler wears the American brand’s easily-recognizable seven-slot grille, which sits between circular headlights that sport LED DRLs.

The Wrangler’s clamshell hood features the so-called “Power Dome” hump, adding muscle to the front fascia. The trapezoidal wheel arches, square wing mirrors, and the ‘winged’ design of the front bumper make for a wide stance. Moreover, the LEDs on the front fenders and the keystone-shaped grille make for a modern-looking Wrangler.

The rugged 4x4 appeal of the Wrangler comes from the square windows, exposed door hinges, and fixed side steps. It’s further boosted by the optional 37-inch all-terrain tires, beadlock-style wheels, a built-in winch, off-road bumpers, off-road lights, plus a lift kit. Customers can select from a variety of roof configurations, plus a single-tone or a two-tone exterior with black plastic panels.

This being a Wrangler, customers can take the roof panels and doors off for a more involving off-road drive. The rear windscreen is removable, too. While the tailgate stays on, it holds a full-size spare tire. The boxy taillights of the Wrangler look small but they feature stylish LEDs. The Wrangler’s hood has vents while its bumpers sport tow hooks.

Interior

Unlike many segment rivals, the Jeep Wrangler’s interior looks quite dated – it’s definitely ‘function over form’ here. The upright dashboard is almost cliff-like in its appearance, while there’s an abundance of hard plastic in the Wrangler’s cabin. Invariably, the interior of the base variant feels relatively low-rent for a car priced at over 200,000 riyals!

The Nappa-leather seats of the Wrangler are good quality, with stitched leather present on the steering wheel and transmission levers. While this cabin can accommodate 5 people, it’s neither the most spacious nor the most comfortable. The noise and vibration in the Wrangler’s cabin are noticeable, becoming increasingly worse as speeds climb. Removable body panels & structures have their demerits.

These removable bits make off-roading in the Jeep Wrangler more enthralling, though. There are other signature Jeep touches such as “Sahara” or “Rubicon” embossing, ‘Peak’ patterns, an auxiliary switch bank, etc. The Wrangler has a conventional analog speedometer and a rev counter with a color MID. This 7-inch screen displays live pitch and roll information, plus other off-road-specific & vehicle-related information.

The new Uconnect 5 infotainment system uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s large enough and boasts plenty of features. It has wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, along with a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system and built-in navigation. The Wrangler’s equipment list includes powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, automatic LED headlights, front foglights, and split-folding rear seats.

Engine and performance

The outgoing Jeep Wrangler in Saudi Arabia comes with two petrol engines. There’s the old but tested 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that offers up to 285 hp and 353 Nm of torque. It has a manufacturer-rated fuel consumption of 9.3 kmpl or 107 L/100 km and a towing capacity of 2.2 tons. This six-cylinder engine gets stop/start tech for better efficiency.

The Jeep Wrangler’s second engine option in KSA is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces 270 hp and 400 Nm of torque. This turbo four-popper is rated at 11.9 kmpl or 8.4 L/100 km, with a towing capacity identical to the V6. The only transmission choice is an 8-speed automatic, with four-wheel drive being standard.

The Wrangler V6 can go from 0-100 kmph in around 8.3 seconds. The turbo-four model should manage the same in over 7.5 seconds, making it sprightlier. The Jeep Wrangler’s top speed is around 180 kmph. The rigid front & rear axles of the Wrangler open up trails that may not exist for some 4x4s. However, that comes at a price.

The Jeep Wrangler’s ride quality and cornering abilities on paved tarmac are poor, at best. It rattles, shakes, and generally feels uncomfortable when asked to go at any rate that may be described as “quick”. When equipped with the Xtreme 35 Package, the Wrangler gets 35-inch tires and a ground clearance of 327 mm.

There’s also an approach angle of 47.4 degrees and a departure angle of 40.4 degrees! Meanwhile, the water wading depth is an impressive 863 mm. The factory-installed WARN winch has a capacity of over 3,600 kg, extremely useful when you get stuck. The Wrangler’s off-road genius also includes low-ratio gearing, incredible axle articulation, plus a computer-controlled traction management system.

Safety

The Jeep Wrangler gets 6 airbags, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, emergency braking, parking sensors, and a rearview camera. There’s also electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, plus brake-lock differential system.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a 4x4 that can conquer rough terrain and smooth tarmac equally well, the Jeep Wrangler isn’t for you. It’s extremely capable and fun off the beaten track, but quickly falls apart when you want an urban-friendly and suave family SUV.