2022 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler down a deserted trail with the top rolled back and adventure awaiting around the bend. The iconic off-roader sports a retro exterior style that pays homage to the rugged Jeep from World War II, but it's packed with modern conveniences including touchscreen infotainment, cruise control, and an eight-speaker stereo. Up-level trims can be downright luxurious, with leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, in-dash navigation, onboard Wi-Fi, and a power-operated soft top.

The Wrangler is offered with the traditional two-door body style, but buyers looking for extra space for passengers and cargo should consider the four-door Unlimited models. A host of powertrains are offered including a plug-in hybrid one as well as a red hot 6.4-liter V-8, but no matter which engine is under the hood, the Wrangler comes standard with four-wheel drive. A host of capability-enhancing features are available to help buyers curate their Wrangler exactly to their desired specification. Its broad range of models and features, as well as its reputation for conquering trails, means the Wrangler has what it takes to compete with rivals such as the Toyota 4Runner and the resurrected Ford Bronco.

Fuel

In this segment of gas guzzlers, it doesn't take much to be at the top of the class. The new Wrangler's EPA fuel-economy estimates put it ahead of rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the Toyota 4Runner. The most fuel-efficient version features the diesel engine that tops out at 22 mpg city and 29 highway. The V-6-powered four-door Wrangler Sahara returned a 20-mpg result on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, 3 mpg fewer than its EPA rating for highway fuel economy. The turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid model fared much better, delivering 26 mpg - 2 mpg more than expected.

Engine

The standard 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 from the previous-generation Wrangler makes its way under the hood of the new JL and can be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is optional and teams up with an electric motor to provide additional low-end power. In addition to the standard V-6 and optional four-cylinder hybrid, the Wrangler can also be equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 with similar hybrid assist, a 3.0-liter diesel V-6; a new, 375-hp plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain and a 6.4-liter V-8 are also available. Wranglers are born off-road ready, so part-time four-wheel drive is standard across the range and is controlled by a lever on the center console.

In our testing, a base two-door Wrangler Sport with the V-6 and the six-speed manual transmission sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds; a well-equipped four-door Sahara model with the automatic transmission did the deed in 6.8 seconds. With the four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, the four-door Sahara was slightly quicker at 6.5 seconds to 60 mph. The Rubicon model which carries additional weight in the form of heavier-duty off-roading equipment isn't as quick. Performance at our test track shows that the Wrangler JL is much improved compared with the previous model, but it's merely holding steady with its rivals in some metrics. Although its handling has improved, it's still trucklike in comparison with today's refined SUVs and pickups. The ride in the four-door is acceptably smooth over rough surfaces, but braking distances were inconsistent between our two test vehicles.