Name: Jeep Wrangler Review
Item: Jeep Wrangler
Author: Gumtree.com

SUVs are everywhere these days, with their rugged looks and high driving position perfect for navigating the commute, the school run, and perhaps the occasional camping trip. But what if rather than just looking the part, you actually want to use the vehicle off-road? The Jeep Wrangler, a direct descendant of the WWII “GP” general purpose workhorse, is as happy hauling itself up a mountain track as it is on a metalled road. Happier, in fact – despite its stunning looks, it seems most at home when splattered with mud.

Visit the Jeep Wrangler model page to explore specs and learn more.

What we think about the Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is a serious and raw off-roader that looks the business and backs that up with its all-terrain capabilities.

Pros

Unrivalled off-road ability

Genuine ruggedness combined with a wealth of mod cons

Stunning looks

Cons

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More expensive than premium SUV rivals such as the BMW X3

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Folding screen and removable doors mean it gets a poor safety rating

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Sometimes uncomfortable ride on the road

The Wrangler has been around since 1987, with the first generation bringing creature comforts such as softer seating and a moder dashboard to the Jeep. The 1996 reboot brought the return of the iconic round headlamps, then in 2006 the top-level Rubicon trim added extra off-road capability with larger wheels and more ground clearance. The most recent major update, in 2018, added a host of new technology across the five trims. The Sport and Sahara variants have plenty of features, but the Rubicon is where most performance and tech options come in.

Driving performance of the Jeep Wrangler

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

Where are you planning to drive it? Off-road, the performance is superb, with ultra-low-range gearing, detachable anti-roll bars and differential lock systems on the Rubicon trim helping navigate boulder fields and cross creeks. On the road, however, the heavy axles mean you’ll feel every bump, and you’ll need to keep steering the vehicle back into a straight line, though the latest model feels markedly more stable than its predecessors and is also less noisy. It’s not a vehicle you’ll want to drive quickly around corners, as the traction control system will step in and cut the engine power. Whatever kind of road you’re on, the eight-speed automatic gearbox does a great job of shifting smoothly and making sure you’re always in the right gear.

Safety and reliability of the Jeep Wrangler

Our Safety Rating6 / 10

The latest edition of the Jeep Wrangler scored only one star out of five from Euro NCAP. That’s the price you pay for a fold-down windscreen and removable doors. The high centre of gravity is another reason for its poor safety rating, bringing with it an increased risk of roll-over. Front and side airbags are standard across all models, with collision warning and rear cross-traffic alerts in the top models.

Under the bonnet of the Jeep Wrangler

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

The Wrangler comes with a choice of a 197 brake horsepower 2.2-litre diesel or 268 bhp petrol engine. The petrol engine will deliver faster straight-line acceleration, going from 0-60 in an impressive official time of of 7.2 seconds. Other than that though, the diesel option makes more sense – its power at low revs comes in handy when transitioning from metalled road to muddy track, and it’s also less thirsty.

What you'll find in the Jeep Wrangler

Our Design Rating9 / 10

The iconic looks are a major draw for the Wrangler. There’s no denying it’s a cool vehicle. Jeep hasn’t messed around too much with a winning formula, and the basic shape has stayed true to the original. The huge wheel arches, squared-off body and circular headlamps retain their classic appeal, and for buyers looking to make even more of a statement, the latest version is available in bright colours including orange, yellow and green.

Comfort and interiors in the Jeep Wrangler

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

While the 2018 update didn’t meddle too much with how the Wrangler looks from the outside, it made the cockpit a lot more comfortable and practical for passengers. Little touches like a rubberised gap between the cupholders to accommodate your mobile phone come in useful when navigating rough terrain. On the newest models, the entry-level Sahara trim includes a steering wheel surfaced in supple leather, a leather-wrapped dashboard panel and soft-touch plastics. This beats out the offerings of the older entry-level Sport trims. The driving position offers a commanding view, though one niggle is that the central console forces your left foot into an unnatural position that may take some getting used to.

What features you'll find in the Jeep Wrangler

Our Features Rating8 / 10

On the latest Wranglers, even entry-level Sahara models come with a 7-inch LCD display and 8.4-inch touchscreen entertainment system, which includes navigation, European maps, Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. The Overland trim brings added luxury, with leather seats, colour-coded removable hardtop and wheel arches, as well as LED lights and a 9-speaker Alpine audio system. Step up to the Rubicon and you’ll get serious off-roading gear like BF Goodrich mud-terrain tyres and a winch-ready steel front bumper added.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Jeep Wrangler

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

The Wrangler isn’t the right choice if you’re looking for a cheap off-roading experience, but the diesel option will be kinder to your wallet, with WLTP fuel economy figures promising up to 30.4 mpg. Go for the petrol engine and you’re looking at more like 26.4 mpg.

Running costs of the Jeep Wrangler

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Jeep offers a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, capped-price servicing and lifetime roadside assistance when serviced through a Jeep dealer – all of which helps to keep costs down a little. There’s no escaping the fact that this is an expensive vehicle to buy and fuel though, even if you keep any repair and servicing costs to a minimum. Considering the appeal and purpose of the Wrangler, that’s not exactly surprising, or unreasonable.

Our verdict of the Jeep Wrangler

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

Unless you're going to be doing most of your driving on rugged mountain trails, the Jeep Wrangler is hardly a sensible choice. But if you want to push the off-road envelope and look good while doing it, not many vehicles can match this modern classic.

Jeep Wrangler Review