The 2023 Jeep Wrangler will have proper direct competition with the Ford Bronco for another year. So So far, Ford’s efforts to break into this market have prompted Jeep to beef up the Wrangler. The already-deep lineup isn’t getting much bigger for 2023, but it’s hard to grumble when there’s something for everyone. The EcoDiesel, plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4×4, and V8-powered Rubicon 392 are among the five powertrain options. There are two-door and four-door Unlimited body designs available, as well as several top and door options that let you be one with nature while off-roading.
Then there are the trim levels and models, which give the Wrangler varied personalities. You can pick from a basic manual Sport, the vehicle with the most capability, the Rubicon, or something a little more on-road, the Sahara. There are also unique appearance-oriented models such as the Freedom Edition, the Willys Sport, and the luxury-oriented High Altitude variant. The Wrangler will be a blast regardless of which version you choose.
How it compares to the Bronco depends entirely on the trim level you choose. Because of its independent front suspension, the Bronco will ride and handle better overall. Its interior is similarly spartan and barebones to that of the Wrangler, but like the Jeep, you can order a luxurious Bronco as well. Whether you choose the Jeep or the Ford will depend on the type of off-roading you want to do, your powertrain preferences, and whether you prefer one’s design over the other. The Wrangler benefits from a wide range of options. In today’s wild automotive market, though, a lot of it could come down to which is more reachable, and Jeep is still winning that battle due to the Bronco’s newness to the market.
What is new in 2023?
The hues Reign (purple) and Earl (grey) make their debut in 2023. The selection now includes a Wrangler Freedom edition vehicle with a cosmetic package and capability enhancements such as a steel front bumper and rock rails. Rubicon models now have 17-inch wheels, and a new Wrangler decal with the American flag is available for the front fender. Apart from that, it’s the same (huge) Wrangler lineup as in 2022.
What about the cabin and in-car technology in the Wrangler?
The inside of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler is designed to complement the exterior. When you’re inside, there’s no mistaking it for another car (OK, apart from the Gladiator). The external paint seeps through into the pillars and other interior surfaces. A tall, upright seating position offers a commanding perspective of the comparatively short, narrow hood. You sit close to the windows and have a more raked windshield than previous Wranglers. All of the controls are conveniently accessible.
The standard Wrangler has a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, but an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation is available if you need more screen space. The materials differ depending on how you option them. A Sahara or Rubicon with all the leather options might start to seem half-luxurious on the interior, whereas a base Sport is a plastic and rubber heaven. Regardless of trim level, the interior of the Wrangler is unlike that of other SUVs on the market today (and a great improvement over its predecessors).
There are different kinds of roofs for the Wrangler, but all of them can be changed into a convertible, though to different degrees of difficulty. There are two “Sunrider” soft-tops available, both of which differ in material (the basic is vinyl, and the Premium is a thicker canvas-like material) but provide the same improved functionality as the previous-generation Wrangler.
They are still loud and have plastic windows. The optional “3-Piece Hard Top,” available in black or body-coloured components, improves security and visibility while also significantly quieting things down. It also includes a pair of removable panels for the front seats, which must be kept somewhere. You can also remove the rear-quarter glass panels, as with the Sunrider, to provide a more open interior while retaining the roof in place to avoid sunburn.
If you don’t mind the sun, there is another alternative that may be the best of both worlds. The Sky One-Touch Power Roof is a big cloth sunroof that lets in fresh air and light in the fastest and easiest way.
Lastly, with the Wrangler, Jeep allows you to do things that other manufacturers do not. The most significant difference is that the doors (two or four) can be removed; you can even select the Dual Door Group option to get half doors.
The windscreen can then be laid flat on the hood if you prefer the taste of bugs. When the roof is removed, you’re left with a Jeep skeleton. These are just a few of the reasons why the Wrangler is so popular among its fans.
How big is a Wrangler?
The Wrangler’s interior room is decent, especially if you opt for the four-door model. The two-door has just 35.7 inches of rear legroom, while the four-door has a more usable and enjoyable 38.3 inches of legroom. The main difficulty is getting in and out of the two-door rear seats – raising the suspension (as many owners do) makes it worse. Everything is comfortable enough for short trips once you get back there. However, upright seats may become a problem on long flights. Taller drivers may also find that the front seat doesn’t recline far enough, and some may object to not having a powered driver’s seat in a car that can be quite pricey with options.
The two-door has a limited cargo space of 12.9 cubic feet with the seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The larger four-door provides 31.7 cubic feet of space with the seats up and 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which is comparable to many two-row midsize crossovers. The boxy layout, as we noticed in our Wrangler luggage test, increases versatility, but it’s also an irregularly shaped area with door latches and roof racks that eat up the room. The Bronco’s cargo space is larger.
The ease of loading is determined by the type of roof you choose (a soft roof or a hard roof). The hardtop opens the swing door and glass area easily, however, the soft top makes loading some items difficult because you have to remove part of the soft top to access the entire load space. Fine dust and sand can also work their way past soft roof seals.
Full review of the Fiat Scudo Panel Van (2022)
What are the fuel economy and performance specifications for the Wrangler?
The 3.6-litre V6 makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque as standard. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional; however, selecting the eight-speed automatically upgrades you to the V6 with eTorque’s mild hybrid system.
Fuel efficiency numbers for 2023 were not available at the time of writing; however, any differences from 2022 would be minor. All fuel economy projections from this point forward are for 2022.
The four-door automatic Wrangler (the best-selling model) got 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. Differences in body type and transmission have little effect on these ratings.
The 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine is a free option. It has 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. The four cylinders improve fuel economy to 21/24/22. This engine also requires premium fuel.
Once one of the most interesting engine upgrades for the Wrangler, the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 has been a bit overshadowed by the new options. However, it’s still a premium option with benefits for those who worship at the altar of torque. It has 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.
It is also simply automated. For 2022, fuel efficiency has improved to a more respectable 22/29/25. The EcoDiesel’s blend of power, torque, and fuel economy used to make it a good choice, but today’s high diesel costs have wiped out any savings at the pump.
The first off-road electric Jeep is the Wrangler 4×4. This plug-in hybrid achieves 49 mpg equivalent. It combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack to produce 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Individuals who travel short distances can take advantage of its 22-mile electric range, as long as they have a charging station nearby. Jeep estimates 20 mpg combined once the battery is dead.
The Wrangler Rubicon 392 is at the other end of the scale. A 6.4-litre V8 engine that produces 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque powers the Wrangler. Jeep expects to reach 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which is 40 per cent faster than the V6-engined Rubicon. A reinforced eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is the full-time Selec-Trac all-wheel drive system. The ’22 is rated at 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined.
Every Wrangler has all-wheel drive, though the standard system (except for the 392 and 4xe) is driver-controlled via a transfer case located on the floor. When traction is required, the optional Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac full-time all-wheel-drive systems automatically shift to the 4-Ha. In this respect, it is similar to all-wheel drive, however, it has a limited range.
What’s it like to drive a Jeep Wrangler?
In general, the Wrangler is still a bit of a pain to drive. The steering is slow, and crosswinds lead it to go off the highway. Bumps and road irregularities are felt throughout your body, and the wind noise at higher speeds with the soft top is truly sad. The hardtop isn’t exactly peaceful, and in general, a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota 4Runner is far more comfy and refined.
In comparison to the Bronco? That might become worse. The JL Wrangler, on the other hand, outperforms its predecessors in every category, particularly steering, which is not only significantly sharper and more reassuring than previous vaguely scary Wranglers but better than the 4Runner’s (but not the Bronco). This Jeep is better than prior Wranglers for daily driving, but we wouldn’t advocate buying one for that purpose alone.
The base V6 engines have good acceleration, and the automatic gearbox rarely has to hunt and peck to find the right gear ratio. The six-speed manual transmission works fine, and the clutch pedal isn’t too hard or too long to make it hard to use. Not at all. With the V6, there’s just enough power to spin the rear tires from a standstill but keep in mind that the much heavier four-door variant will be noticeably slower than the two-door Wrangler.
The turbocharged four-cylinder may have a slight benefit in fuel economy, but the true reason to acquire it is acceleration. The thrust will still not blow you away, but the turbo represents a performance boost. The diesel’s ample torque gives the impression that you’re driving a monster. It also sounds like a monster, despite being smooth and tuned for a diesel.
With the high-output 4xe plug-in hybrid and the V8-powered Rubicon 392, things are heating up. Both weigh almost the same and are available in a limited number of variations, but they approach their goals in quite different ways.
The economical 4xe has most of the acceleration of the 392 but lacks the great V8 audio. In exchange, you get amazing mileage (for a Jeep, of course) and the smug satisfaction of knowing that you’re less likely to pollute the environment by driving through it rather than polluting it. Please be cautious.
What is the price of the 2023 Wrangler, and what features are available?
The 2023 Wrangler starts at $31,890, plus a $1,595 destination charge. The Wrangler Unlimited four-door starts at $35,760. The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which is only available with four doors, starts at $56,360, but that includes at least $7,500 in tax incentives. The Rubicon 392 has a starting price of $81,590.
Wranglers start with a two-door Sport with a manual transmission. Few vehicles on the market now come standard with as little as the Jeep Wrangler. It boasts manual locks, windows, and mirrors, as well as steel 17-inch wheels. There are a bewildering variety of options available as you progress through the trim levels, ranging from powertrains and 4×4 systems to sophisticated creature comforts like a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control.
Wrangler trim levels include the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon 392, and Wrangler 4xe. Some packages have their appearance, equipment, and capabilities, such as the Freedom Edition, the Willys and Willys Sport, and the High Altitude. There were even more for 2022, and we anticipate that more will be introduced in 2023.
The Rubicons have expensive upgrades like locking differentials, skid plates, 33-inch tires, and sway bars that can be turned off electronically. The Xtreme Recon option upgrades the Willys, Rubicon, or Rubicon 392 to factory 35-inch tires, a little shorter rear axle ratio, a 1.5-inch raise, and beadlock-capable rims.
What are the safety ratings and driver-aid features of the Wrangler?
When it comes to active safety technology for the Wrangler, there isn’t much to talk about, although adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic braking are at least available on the automatic-equipped Sahara and Rubicon. Optional features include blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
The four-door Wrangler received the highest possible grade of “good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its performance in the moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength crash tests. Nonetheless, it received the second-worst “Marginal” grade in the small overlap front crash test, owing in part to the fact that it tipped onto its side after contacting the crash barrier.
That is, of course, not ideal. The IIHS recently re-tested the Wrangler to determine if Jeep had rectified the problem, but the vehicle flipped once more. The headlight ratings are also poor, ranging from “marginal” to “bad” depending on the equipment. At the very least, the available front collision avoidance technology garnered high praise.
