2019 Jeep Wrangler: First impression

Jeep is one of those brands which need no introduction. Carrying forward its legacy is the latest 2019 Wrangler. It might have 2019 as its prefix, but it was way back in Nov 2017 when Jeep unveiled it at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Soon after that, the new Wrangler was made available in the States followed by other international markets. And we have been waiting to get it here in the Philippines ever since.

The 2019 Jeep Wrangler has now been launched in our country by Auto Nation Group, who is the official distributor of Jeep vehicles in the Philippines. We don’t know why Jeep kept us waiting so long to witness the new Wrangler in person. Anyway, better late than never, correct? Since the 2019 Wrangler is now finally here let’s see what it has got. Here is our first impression of the latest Jeep in the country.

Looks

One cannot mistake a Jeep with any other vehicle. Its iconic design has been around for years. Jeep has made certain changes in the styling to cover up the gap between old and trending. The 2019 Wrangler continues to charm people with its looks. At the front, we get the much-loved vertical slats for the grille.

These have been made a bit thicker in this model. On either side of the front grille, we have large round headlamps which are also available in LEDs. We also have the sturdier front bumper with some chrome embellishments for the fog lamps.

The side profile remains boxy in appearance, but we are alright with that. It is boxy but also purposeful and bold. It not only looks that it can take a beating, it actually can. The rear is dominated by a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. The tail lights are small in size but suit the overall look and design of the SUV nicely.

Interior

Jeep has improved the interior of the 2019 Wrangler. It might still not be the most luxurious place to be in for an SUV, but it is by no means questionable. The seats are good and provide great comfort and support. There is enough cabin space. Jeep has provided a good number of cubby spaces all around the cabin.

The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has a few mounted controls. The new model also gets revised gauges and a multi-info display. We also have a new infotainment system that supports AUX, Bluetooth, USB, and AM/FM radio. Accompanying this system is a good 8 speaker sound system.

Engine and performance

At present, there is only a single engine option available with the latest Jeep Wrangler. It is a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit that produces 268 PS of max power at 5350 revs and generates a peak torque of 400 Nm at 3000 revs. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox which takes care of the power transmission to all the wheels.

This engine is capable enough to take this heavy SUV almost anywhere; off-road, on-road, you needn’t worry. It is being anticipated that in future the 2019 Jeep Wrangler specs would be getting a more powerful engine option - a 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 290 PS and 353 Nm. Also, as per the recent official announcement, the Philippines won't be getting a diesel unit ever.

Jeep has used good quantity aluminium in the construction of the 2019 Wrangler. Some of the parts like the hood, doors, tailgate, and windshield frame have been made using lightweight aluminium. This allowed Jeep to retain the strength of the vehicle and also reduce the weight. The new Wrangler is 90 kg lighter when compared to its predecessor. This also helped in improving its performance.

Safety features

Jeep has provided a number of useful safety features in the 2019 Wrangler. We get ABS, Hill-Start Assist, Hill-Descent Control, Traction & Stability Control, roll mitigation, engine stop-start, trailer sway damping, rear parking assist, tyre pressure monitoring, and much more.

We are glad that the latest Wrangler is now available in our country. Many enthusiasts would love to get this gorgeous and capable machine in their garage. Driving a Jeep is a totally different experience, and we advise you to go to the nearest Jeep dealership and test drive it. You will get to know what we’re trying to say.

The 2019 Jeep Wrangler price starts at Php 3.39 million for the 2.0L Limited variant. The 2.0L Unlimited variant is a bit more expensive at Php 3.59 million. Both the variants are available in 10 different colors options.

Also Read:- Moparized Jeep Wrangler heading to 2019 SEMA Show