The rugged 2016 Jeep Wrangler 4×4 compact SUV is built to go off road. With a heritage dating back to 1941, the Wrangler is best suited for drivers that plan to spend long hours driving in places regular SUVs can’t manage. Four Wheeler Magazine ranked the Wrangler the 4×4 of the Decade.
Basic Specs
The Wrangler features 11 models including the Sport, Sahara, Rubicon, Willys Wheeler, Black Bear, and Freedom Edition. MSRP starts at $23,895 for the base Sport model up to $37,995 for the least expensive Rubicon Hard Rock. Every model comes standard with 4-wheel drive and offers 56.5 cubic feet of storage behind the first-row seat and at least 41.3″ of headroom for the driver. Every Wrangler comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty and an additional five-year, 60,000 powertrain warranty.
Performance Features
With a 3.6-Liter V6 24-Valve VVT Engine across the line, the Wrangler is ready for off-road conditions. Six-speed manual transmission is standard, with an option of a five-speed automatic. The Command-Trac system allows the driver to switch between efficient two-wheel drive and the power of four-wheel drive.
Safety Features
The Wrangler’s safety features include advanced multistage front airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, and a padded sport bar to protect occupants while off-roading. Some models feature side-mounted airbags for the front seat. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard on all models. The Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System, also standard, helps keep the Wrangler from being stolen. Chip-resistant fog lamps offer a wide beam of low light.
Entertainment Features
All Wranglers have at least eight speakers and an audio jack to play music from your mobile device. Audio can be controlled from the steering wheel. Optional sound features include an Alpine Premium system, which has nine speakers, and SiriusXM Radio with a one-year subscription. Some models of the Wrangler offer USB charging, GPS navigation, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, or a hard drive with 28 GB of available space.
Unique Features
The Wrangler has many unique features to set it off from the competition:
- Wash-out Interior – The drain plugs in the floor of every Wrangler allow the driver to clean out the interior with nothing but a hose.
- Skid Plates – 2.5-mm steel skid plates protect the Wrangler’s fuel tank and transfer case from damage.
- Tow Hooks – Wranglers include front and rear tow hooks.
- Trail Rated – Unlike many compact SUVs, the Wrangler is rated for snow, sand, mud, and rock.
- Removable top and doors – The top and doors of the Wrangler can be removed and the windshield lowered. This feature is intended for off-road use only.
The Competition
The Toyota 4Runner is larger than the Wrangler but offers off-road capabilities, with a similar mediocre performance on the highway. Land Rover, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz also offer off-road SUVs, but with their luxury prices, the vehicles aren’t really comparable. The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that boasts four-wheel drive, but it’s not considered an off-road vehicle.
Other compact SUVs at a similar price point to the Wrangler, but without off-road options, include the Mazda CR-V and CX-5, the Ford Escape, the Kia Sportage, and the GMC Terrain. These competing vehicles generally offer more luxury features inside and better handling on the highway. Jeep also has several other compact SUVs capable of driving off-road, including the Cherokee, Compass, and Patriot. The competing Jeep models offer more polished interiors and deliver better fuel efficiency than the Wrangler.
Fuel Efficiency
The Jeep Wrangler’s six-speed transmission provides an estimated 17 city/21 highway mpg. This mileage is generally lower than the mileage of other compact SUVs. Wrangler’s mileage also compares unfavorably to the other compact Jeep models, and is similar to the mileage offered by the larger Toyota 4Runner.
Pros and Cons
The Wrangler offers solid off-road performance and rugged options for weekend driving. This comes at a price, however, as some drivers report that the Wrangler is noisy and less comfortable than other SUVs. Other complaints are a slightly cramped and noisy interior. Safety features are lackluster for a modern vehicle, and the Wrangler’s reliability isn’t the best. Even if you need four-wheel drive or a vehicle to drive off-road, Jeep has several other options at comparable prices, so it’s worth checking those out alongside the Wrangler. If you don’t plan to drive away from established highways, many manufacturers offer compact SUV options with more comfort at a similar price.
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