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2025 Nissan Sentra Review2023 Jeep Wrangler Review: Endless Options
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offers 16 trim levels and a large selection of options. Which is right for you? We look at powertrain, trim levels, and more.
2023 Jeep Wrangler – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2023 Jeep Wrangler on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler?
Two new paint colors Earl and Reign make their debut. They’re gray and purple respectively. In addition, a new Freedom trim is available with military-styled graphical elements, rock rails, and a steel front bumper.
The Breakdown
Excellent off-road
Limitless customizability
An engine for everyone
Very expensive
Lags behind on safety
Numb handling
More on-road refinement is needed
2023 Wrangler Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 265 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 16 available trims
- 28 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Uconnect user interface is great
- Available blind-spot monitoring
- 3 years of complimentary maintenance
2023 Jeep Wrangler Powertrain
Overall, most Wranglers drive and handle very similarly. Despite huge advancements in refinement over the years, this is still a very off-road-focused SUV and that’s obvious from the way that it handles corners. The steering is numb and can require multiple corrections through a corner to get the wheels pointed in the exact direction one intends. That’s disappointing for a vehicle at this price. It’s steady enough on the highway though the cabin is no good at keeping noise outside.
The base V6 is a simple but solid power plant. It’s not particularly quick or engaging but it’ll never leave you feeling like you can’t merge onto the highway or pass safety. It’s available with a manual transmission or an eight-speed auto.
The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is down on horsepower compared to the V6 (270 vs 285) but it’s up on torque (295 vs 260), and it’s noticeable just about everywhere. That improved response also comes down to losing a few pounds over the V6.
There’s also a 3.0-liter diesel with 260 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It does a nice job of bridging the gap between fuel economy and power without costing as much as the 4xe. It’s similar to drive as the 2.0-liter and the 3.6-liter so much so that most buyers won’t be able to tell which is under the hood unless they look.
The two special Wrangler engine options begin with the Rubicon 392’s big burly V8. After decades of asking for it, fans finally have the Wrangler they’ve asked for. This thing develops 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque and is only available with an automatic and four doors. It has considerably more personality than any previous Wrangler on the road.
Thankfully, Jeep saw to it to give the 392 upgraded heavy-duty brakes and it needs them. Remember, it’s not a Trackhawk of any ilk; it’s still intended for serious off-road work, so it still has a heavy-duty suspension that’s not very subtle on the road.
The biggest advancement for the Wrangler in decades might be the 4xe powertrain that combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a 17 kWh battery pack to provide a balanced mix of power and economy.
Rated at 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque the Jeep Wrangler 4xe only available with an automatic transmission and four doors. While the 392 is the fun choice, the 4xe is the mature one. Around town, it’s the most refined of the bunch and we love that it can go into full EV mode and be whisper quiet.
Where the Wrangler very obviously shines is when the pavement runs out. Even the base model is supremely competent and confidence-inspiring. The rock rails on the Liberty edition are absolutely great and we’re surprised to not see them as standard equipment on most models. The Rubicon is pricey but it offers an electronically disconnecting sway bar and electronically locking differentials which only add to the skills this SUV has off-road.
Towing & Payload
Depending on the equipment, the Jeep Wrangler can tow up to 3,500 pounds which just happens to be the exact same maximum amount that the Ford Bronco can tow.
2023 Jeep Wrangler Fuel Economy & Battery Range
With so many different Jeep powertrains to choose from, there’s surprisingly very little difference in their fuel economy scores from the EPA. The worst offender is the Rubicon 392 which should get 13 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway.
One step better is the manually-equipped base Wrangler which gets 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. Go for the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and those numbers jump to 21 and 24 respectively. The EcoDiesel jumps to 22 and 29 if equipped with the automatic.
The 4xe can travel up to 25 miles on all-electric power per full battery charge. That’s not much for driving around town all day but it should be more than enough for some low-speed off-road adventures. The EPA rates the 4xe at 49 MPGe and the gas-only portion of the powertrain at 20 mpg combined.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Rugged resilience is the theme in the cabin of the Wrangler. This SUV is built to take a licking and keep on ticking so it’s devoid of the soft-touch surfaces, opulent seating, and glitzy finishes you’d find in just about every other vehicle that costs this much. Notably, the Wrangler’s main competition, the Ford Bronco, isn’t particularly posh either. Seating throughout the cabin is fine but it’s not as comfortable as one might find in something like a Land Rover Defender or a Kia Telluride.
Almost everything is controlled via the center control stack. That makes for a bit of a learning curve but we think most buyers will have little difficulty getting comfortable. Visibility is outstanding thanks to big boxy windows and a minimalized blind spot. Of course, there’s always the option of removing just about every body piece above the belt-line of the Wrangler should someone want to.
Interior space is only ok. Most vehicles in this class offer more shoulder and hip room but the Wrangler somewhat makes up for it with almost 30 cubic feet of storage space (Unlimited Only) behind the second row.
Entertainment & Technology
We’ve always liked the UConnect infotainment system found in Stellantis products and it’s great in the Jeep Wrangler too. The base infotainment screen measures just 7 inches and it looks a little out of place at that width. Thankfully, a larger 8.4-inch unit is also available. Not only does it look better but it’s slightly quicker and offers meaningful improvements in the layout too.
Just like in other recent Wrangler model years, the system provides excellent data specific to off-road adventures which is a nice touch. Buyers who want Android Auto or Apple CarPlay will be happy to know that each one is standard on the entire Wrangler lineup.
Safety Features
Jeep doesn’t offer much in the way of modern safety technology on the Wrangler. Common features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and more are available for a premium. Almost every other competitor offers more for a lot less.
2023 Jeep Wrangler Trims & Pricing
Sport – $34,560
Most Wranglers come with the 3.6-liter V6 mentioned above but the 2.0-liter and the diesel, 17-inch steel wheels, all-season tires, a 7-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, fog lights, skid plates, crank windows, tow hooks, and manual door locks.
Willys Sport – $36,870
The Willys Sport trim adds Jeep’s 2-speed transfer case along with 32-inch mud-terrain tires, a limited-slip differential, and a gloss black grille.
Sport S – $37,860
This trim adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, power locks, power windows, and automatic headlights, and then it opens up access to more features like safety tech and LED headlights.
Freedom – $41,055
This trim adds LED headlights, military-style graphics, a steel front bumper, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and rock rails.
Willys – $41,155
This trim adds Trac-Lok limited slip differentials, 17-inch black wheels, LED fog lights, Rubicon shocks, rock rails, all-weather floor mats, and special decals.
Sport Altitude – $40,055
The Sport Altitude has 18-inch wheels and all-season tires.
Sahara – $44,715
The Sahara trim level includes 18-inch wheels, body-colored fender flares and grille and a keyless entry.
Sport RHD – $45,990
This Wrangler is just like the base Sport model but adds heated mirrors and is right-hand drive.
Rubicon – $46,395
The off-road-focused Rubicon adds Jeep’s low-range transfer case, 33-inch all-terrain tires, lockable axles, an electronically-disconnecting front sway bar, rock rails, front and rear locking differentials, and an 8.4-inch infotainment screen.
Sahara Altitude – $48,215
This trim gets a two-speed transfer case, body-colored fender flares, 18-inch polished wheels, and keyless entry.
High Altitude – $53,810
This is the luxury trim with Nappa Leather upholstery, LED headlights, LED tail lights, LED DRLs, LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, and some safety tech. That includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and DRLs.
Willys 4xe – $53,995
The base plug-in Wrangler starts with 17-inch black wheels, 32-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, a limited-slip rear differential, LED headlights, LED fog lights, an Alpine audio system, Rubicon shocks, a gloss black grille, and three drive modes.
Sahara 4xe – $55,260
This trim adds blue tow hooks, leather upholstery, LED tail lamps, and keyless entry.
Rubicon 4xe – $58,990
The Rubicon 4xe gets Jeep’s RocTrac full-time transfer case, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and surf blue hood decals and tow hooks.
High Altitude 4xe – $60,935
This model gets 20-inch wheels and exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Rubicon 392 – $79,995
The daddy of the Wrangler lineup is the 392 and it’s a monster with its huge V8 engine. It also gets bigger brakes, a 2-inch lift kit, leather upholstery, LED headlights, Fox shocks, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an Alpine sound system, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, and a three-piece hardtop.
Warranties
Every Wrangler comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s pretty average for the segment. Where Jeep stands out is in its three-year complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage.
What We Think
2023 Jeep Wrangler – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2023 Jeep Wrangler on Carsforsale.com
For Jeep lovers, there’s never been a better time to be alive. There’s simply no end to what one can do with a new Wrangler when it comes to customization and personalization. At the same time, this is an SUV that makes a lot of sense around $35,000 and then very little once we start getting into the $45,000 and above territory.
That’s because the vast majority of buyers will spend most of their time on the road and that’s a place where the Wrangler doesn’t deliver much. It’s not great to drive, it comes up far short on the comfort technology front, and it doesn’t have anywhere near the same level of advanced driver assistance tech that rivals do. Nevertheless, it’s one of the few options out there that can go as far off-road as it can.
