At the end of the month and the warm days of this year, I'd like to tell you about a car that will definitely warm you up and make you smile. Yes, I'm talking about the updated Jeep Wrangler SUV in the special Rubicon version. Frankly speaking, it was not easy to understand and research it, but that only made it more interesting every moment. And now I will tell you in detail why this is so.
Design: big construction set for big boys
The first word that comes to mind to describe the design is functionality. Here is the hood that covers the engine. Here are the wheel arches and the covers that are supposed to protect against dirt from under the wheels (but they don't do a very good job). Here are the front and rear doors - they open on hinges that are immediately visible. Here is the roof made of a composite material (like plastic, but harder and with a layer of insulation). Don't like this design? Then you can change it at will!
After all, the specific design of the Jeep Wrangler is a consequence not only of its historical heritage (I'm talking about the 1940s Willis with its round headlights and distinctive grille), but also of its design features: the roof and doors are removed, the front window is folded down, and access to the trunk is organized through a liftgate and a separate door that opens to the side. The easiest way to remove the two front roof sections, which are secured with clips: a minute and a few hand movements later, and you have an almost convertible for the driver and front passenger. Moreover, there is even a separate bag in the trunk of the car for storing these roof sections - it's convenient. And the rest...
It takes 6-7 minutes to remove each door. And the main problem is not unscrewing the hinge bolts or the weight of the doors (they are actually quite light), but in disconnecting the electrical contacts: the connection chips are very tight! The roof can also be completely removed quite quickly, but not without problems: in this case, you need to take into account its size and weight - you can't do it alone, you need two people. The hinged windshield seems to be simple, but there are problems here, too: you need to remove the wipers, which requires unscrewing the nuts of their levers, but these nuts are sour and not easy to unscrew. So, yes, this is a real construction car that can be disassembled quite quickly, but you need to know how to do it and take into account these comments. By the way, in addition to the bag for storing the front roof sections, there is also a tool for removing bolts and a short instruction manual, and the trunk panel even has holes for storing bolts for fixing various elements.
The Jeep Wranglertest vehicle (model code JL) was presented in the enlarged Unlimited 4D body : length - 4,88 meters; width - 1,89 meters; height - 1,85 meters; wheelbase - 3,01 meters. The ground clearance for the Rubicon version is 252 mm, the entry angle is 36 degrees, the exit angle is 31 degrees; the car can cross a 762 mm deep ford. By the way, if you're interested: the first designation Unlimited appeared in the early 2000s and meant an enlarged, but still 2-door body 2D; and only a few years later, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4D variant debuted (in the case of the Jeep Wrangler, only the side doors are counted, not the trunk lid). Also, if you're interested: the name Jeep Wrangler first appeared during the debut of the 1987 model year, and if we count from that year, then there are four generations of Jeep Wrangler (model codes YJ, TJ, JK, JL). But if we count from the car Jeep with the CJ code (that is, the predecessor of the Wrangler, but without this model name), then there are already five. In general, the history of Jeep can be counted from the first military off-road vehicle Willis, which appeared in the 1940s. Like its predecessors: the whole car Jeep Wrangler is an endless big construction set for a big boy!
The interior is no less original than the exterior. You open the door, see what looks like a rather high seat position, get inside, and then realize that the floor is also high. Because of this, you sit with your legs stretched horizontally; it looks like sitting in a low sports car, but all this happens at the height of an SUV. At the same time, the front panel and steering wheel are moved quite close to the driver, the view forward is through an almost flat and rectangular windshield, and there are a lot of levers sticking out from below - the automatic switch, the all-wheel drive control knob (oh, and it's tight...), and the handbrake. It's not easy to find your position: you need to reach the pedals with your feet, not be pinched by the steering wheel and have a good view ahead, and your right hand must immediately find the right lever. Eventually, however, you can find this position, and it turns out that you can breathe and move, and there is room for your right leg and left elbow. This reminds me of another real SUV from the past (a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler of the time), in which my right leg was always in the way of the transfer case, and my elbow was forced to stick out of the window because of the cramped interior. In this case, the Jeep Wrangler looks and feels much more comfortable.
In addition, it also looks quite modern. After all, we are dealing with an updated Jeep Wrangler, where the main change is not the blacked-out grille (it is barely noticeable on the gray body), but the appearance of a new multimedia system and a 12.3-inch display. It was the latter that required more space, which made it necessary to significantly change the location of the central ventilation deflectors and the layout of the front panel in general. However, it was worth it: the display provides excellent image quality, and the new multimedia system allows you to create your own pages and customize the display of information at your own discretion. At the same time, the classic dashboard with a small display (everything is instantly clear), a bunch of physical buttons and switches on the front panel, all quite logically assembled in separate blocks. Such are the miracles: one remark here, and next to it you see thoughtful and well-designed ergonomics.
Not enough weirdness? Then let's take a look at the second row of seats. It all starts again with the seating position: it's high, and the wheel arch cover is in the way. This is usually dirty, as it protrudes noticeably from the body plane and often gets dirt from under the front wheel. However, it's okay, we somehow got to the cabin - and then you notice a strong beam overhead and audio speakers, and the back of the rear sofa is quite vertical. Wow, how strange all this is... But at the same time, there is a lot of legroom inside, enough space in width. You see bare metal on the doors - but at the same time you see ventilation deflectors and a comfortable wide armrest with cup holders. And such eclecticism continues in the trunk: strange access through a separately lifted glass and a hinged door; quite a large volume (533-1044 liters); but simple hard plastic trim and protruding support arches; but at the same time, there is an additional convenient lower niche...
The interior of the Jeep Wrangler is no less original than its exterior: a lot of unexpected and unusual solutions. The main highlight of the updated vehicle is the new multimedia system. There is actually enough space in the front and rear, but the issue of comfort of boarding is acute (footrests are just must-have). The trunk is big!
Equipment: features of the Jeep Wrangler in general and the Rubicon version in particular
The main thing is that the Jeep Wrangler is a real off-road vehicle built according to all the rules and canons of the genre. That is: frame construction, front longitudinal engine location, dependent spring suspension based on a beam-bridge (front and rear), all-wheel drive with a lowering row. In more detail, the Jeep Wrangler is offered in Ukraine with a 2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine 2.0L GME T4 ESS, which is paired with a classic hydromechanical 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sahara version is equipped with all-wheel drive with a Selec-Trac transfer case: the ability to drive in 2WD (rear-wheel drive only), 4WD AUTO (automatic all-wheel drive), 4WD PART-TIME (all-wheel drive with rigid connection of the front wheels), 4WD LOW (low range with a ratio of 2.72:1); plus a rear differential with the ability to self-lock. It is also worth noting that the front Dana M186 axle beam and rear Dana M220 axle beam are installed, and the ground clearance of the Jeep Wrangler in the Sahara version is 242 mm. For your understanding: all of the above-mentioned features in terms of all-wheel drive capabilities and ground clearance are about the maximum we usually find even in the case of real SUVs.
However, the Jeep Wrangler in the Rubicon version is ready to go further, literally and figuratively. After all, in this case, all-wheel drive with a Rock-Trac transfer case (4.0:1 ratio), forced locking of the front/rear differential, a front stabilizer with the possibility of disconnection, and a special Off Road+ driving mode (affects the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal and engine response) are installed. The suspension has not changed globally, but has changed in detail - a Dana M210 axle beam is installed in front, and a Dana M220 axle beam with unloaded axles is installed behind. In addition, 17-inch wheels with 255/75 R17 tires for off-road use are also provided. Due to the increased height of the tire profile, the ground clearance has been increased to 252 mm. And even a few other small but interesting exterior changes: a red hook at the rear and very massive wheel arch extensions. And next to the remarkable sticker on the hood, a closer look reveals additional ventilation windows for better engine cooling if you have to crawl slowly off-road and constantly throttle up.
It all starts with the frame structure and the body with spatial load-bearing elements (because the roof can be disassembled and does not hold the load). Then it continues with a 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine (272 hp at 5250 rpm, 400 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm) and all-wheel drive. And here is the main highlight of the car Jeep Wrangler, which offers two all-wheel drive systems. Moreover, from the very beginning, it has off-road capabilities that are usually the maximum for most SUVs; but the Rubicon version offers even more - a lowered 4.0:1 ratio and locking differentials, a reinforced front axle and a modified rear axle, etc. But all this hasn't been for nothing. Here's an example: the Jeep Wrangler Sahara weighs 2013 kg, should accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 180 km/h, and has a fuel consumption of 11.1 liters per 100 km (in a mixed cycle). The car Jeep Wrangler Rubicon already weighs 2103 kg, acceleration from 0-100 km/h is not specified at all, the promised top speed is 159 km/h, and fuel consumption is stated at 12.3 liters per 100 km (once again, this is in a mixed cycle, not in the city). So...
Behind the wheel: the main rule is that you can go anywhere as long as you have enough fuel
The first and foremost thing that surprises you about the behavior of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is its softness and comfort. Either some changes in the suspension or very high-profile tires (or maybe both), but the car rides very softly and smoothly. On any roads and off-road, on any bumps, you will always experience incredible comfort. Let me give you a typical example. I have several familiar tracks and roads where I usually check cars to understand their character. One of them is a rather broken road, with a lot of patches and even more potholes. You've just been driving along a good highway at 100 km/h, and when you turn onto this road, it starts shaking mercilessly at 50-60 km/h: it feels like either the seals will fall out or the wheels will come off. I consider it a very good result if a car can maintain a speed of 60-70 km/h there - believe me, only a few people manage to do this (including even modern crossovers on air suspension or well-known SUVs with a really good chassis). And then suddenly, this Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was driving 100 km/h on the highway next to us, and it drove the same "hundred" on the broken road. He just didn't notice the change in the surface at all, it was still a perfectly normal road for him. Surprisingly enough, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon does not suffer from minor shaking and vibrations that are usually characteristic of real SUVs with a solid rear axle and large, heavy wheels. It rides as smoothly as if it were on elastic jelly.
But then comes the turn of the turns. The steering wheel is long (we have 3+ turns from stop to stop) and quite light. You literally "wind up" on this steering wheel in every turn - and still there is no feeling of turning precision. However, there are enormous body rolls and even greater tire withdrawals, which cause pauses in the car's response to steering. For example: you can jerk the steering wheel to the right/left with an amplitude of 90 degrees, and the car will continue to drive straight, with only a little sway back and forth. Or here's another example: with such an omnivorous suspension, it seems that you can relax from driving straight on the highway; however, as soon as you get distracted, the car suddenly moves half a lane to the right or left. And the driver didn't feel anything at all with his hands on the steering wheel, all the effort dissolved into the tires and suspension. That's all that allows you to race along any broken roads and beyond, and affects the feeling of at least some control and stability. That's how you drive on the highway, constantly steering a little.
I should note that I had a little experience with a Jeep Wrangler in the Sahara version (18-inch wheels and 255/70 R18 tires) and this vehicle was more precise in its handling - well, as much as possible for a frame SUV on axles. However, he had another comment: while driving on a broken road, the steering wheel often jerked when the wheels hit potholes. I should also note that it was a Jeep Wrangler of the current JL generation, but before the update; and perhaps something has changed in the settings of the steering wheel and steering mechanism in general. However, these are the memories and impressions I have now.
By the way, the impressions of the engine are unchanged at any meeting with the Jeep Wrangler JL, in any of its versions. This 2-liter gasoline engine pulls surprisingly well: starting from medium revs (2,500-3,000) and then up to the maximum (almost 6,000), it produces a fairly even traction. Then the 8-speed automatic with soft and quick shifts takes over. It seems that a small 2-liter engine is not enough for the Jeep Wrangler - but in fact it is enough: a good start from a standstill, normal acceleration at the permitted highway speeds. In general, you can sometimes do something like drifting on the rear-wheel drive: this "wardrobe" on cylinder wheels starts creaking rubber at 20-30 km/h, and almost collapses. I can imagine how absurd it all looked from the outside, but it's at moments like this that a childishly naive smile shines on the driver's face. This engine is enough for off-roading: in the lowered 4L range, you can "dig" (and really dig) the wheels in the sand. And if you want, and thanks to the miracle suspension, you can fly through mud and puddles on forest trails. The engine is also quite quiet: you hear the hum of the tires more than the sound of the engine. But then... stop...
Everything seems to be fine with this pairing of engine and automatic; except for one thing - for a vehicle like the Jeep Wrangler, I want to have a more emotional growl sound. And I even know where to get it: you need to install a V6 Pentastar engine, which we have on the Jeep Grand Cherokee (and is offered for the Jeep Wrangler in the US market). The result will be roughly similar power and fuel consumption, combined with the great sound of the V6 and a better embodiment of the idea of an "American big SUV".
No dynamics measurements for the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon? We correct this remark and get about 9.3 seconds. The numbers seem mediocre, but in fact, this 2-liter turbo has never given us a reason to complain about low power or lack of dynamics: surprisingly, it's a perfectly adequate engine. You just want to add a good sound - and the engine V6 Pentastar can help with this. You say that fuel consumption will increase? Yes, and the 2-liter turbo engine has to be revved periodically, which is why it consistently consumes 12-15 liters of fuel per 100 km in the city, and the maximum I personally had was 17 liters. I think that V6 will consume plus or minus the same, even if it is +1 liter, it is already insignificant. When driving on the highway at 100 km/h, the car consumes 9.5-10 liters. When driving off-road... I don't know how much it consumes, because then you don't pay attention to it, you just look for more and more adventures! In this case, no, I didn't have to follow the tractor. When you press the SWAY BAR button, the anti-roll bar is released and the front wheels travel even further.
Cost: how much does a Jeep Wrangler cost and who is in the competition
If we talk about the current price list as of the time of preparation of this material, we can note two main versions of the Jeep Wrangler for the Ukrainian market: always a 2-liter engine, always an enlarged Ulimited 4D body, you can choose only the Sahara or Rubicon trim.
The Jeep Wrangler Sahara immediately offers: all-wheel drive and Selec-Trac transfer case, fuel tank protection, gearbox and transfer case protection, stability control, rollover prevention system, adaptive cruise control, front collision prevention system, mirror blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic control, front and side airbags, inflatable side curtains, keyless entry and engine start, climate control, heated front seats, rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, instrument panel with 7-inch color display, UConnect multimedia system with 12.3-inch touchscreen display, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay technologies, synthetic leather upholstery, interior background lighting, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, etc. The cost of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4D 2 .0 TURBO 272 ACP-8 Sahara starts from 2.99 million UAH or $72 thousand.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon adds the following: four-wheel drive and Rock-Trac transfer case, Off Road+ mode and the ability to disable the front stabilizer bar, front and rear axle locks, a front view camera, NAPPA leather and synthetic leather seats, automatic high beam headlight switching, 17-inch alloy wheels and off-road tires. The price of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4D 2 .0 TURBO 272 ACP-8 Rubicon starts from UAH 3.2 million or $77 thousand.
As for other variants of the car that were imported earlier, you can find prices for the 2023 model, the short Jeep Wrangler 2D, and pre-restyle cars. All of them will be somewhat cheaper - you can win 100-200-300 thousand hryvnias relative to the above prices. But whether such cars will be in stock when you want to buy a Jeep Wrangler or whether they will have already finished is a big question. That's why we focus on two main versions that are announced on a regular basis.
In the case of the Jeep Wrangler, the choice of a different version affects a lot of points: different all-wheel drive and suspension, the presence of locks, wheels with off-road tires, original seat trim with stitching, and an added front camera. Although a 2-liter turbo gasoline engine and automatic transmission, all-wheel drive with a low-range, climate control, LED-headlights and alloy wheels, the latest multimedia system, a three-section removable roof - all of this is present from the start. However, no matter how you choose, you can't influence the engine; we don't have a choice of engines at all - neither more powerful nor more economical. Do your competitors have a choice? And who are the competitors?
In conclusion, just a few words about competitors. Which in fact are almost nonexistent. You might say that the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport are rivals, but they still keep in touch with reality: economical diesel engines, familiar design and a more comfortable interior, a choice of several packages, and a lower price.
Finally, a separate group of competitors for the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon would be the Mazda MX-5 and Suzuki Jimny, a motorcycle and a fishing boat: everything that can give new emotions, adventures, and impressions to a wealthy middle-aged man. Because now we are talking about emotions - which sums it up...
