Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler continues to have a focused interior layout with a host of clusters of buttons for various functions, which makes the cabin look a bit old-school when compared to other similarly-priced luxury SUVs. However, it is this old-school, off-road-friendly interior of the Jeep Wrangler which positions it as a distinctive vehicle.

The all-black dashboard of the Jeep Wrangler has a vertical layout and is mostly covered with soft-touch leather, which is of the same upholstery as that of the seats. The bossy-looking driver’s cockpit of the Jeep Wrangler consists of a multi-functional steering wheel with a broad instrument console behind it, which has large rounded analogue gauges with a TFT MID in between them. This instrument console is flanked by large rounded AC vents on either side. These same rounded AC vents are also placed on the sides of the co-passenger side of the dashboard.

The almost vertical centre console looks like a busy place with a host of buttons. At the top sits an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, below which there is a tapered cluster of buttons for the dual-zone automatic climate control. The lower part of the centre console here is occupied by the cluster of buttons for various off-road driving functionalities, along with a dedicated lever for the four-wheel drive system and transmission lever placed on the lower central tunnel.

Over the years, the Jeep Wrangler has evolved into a modern-looking off-roader, but its essence of an upright SUV with a rectangular silhouette, tall ground clearance and flared wheel arches has remained unchanged. Even today, these elements give the Wrangler an unmistakable road presence, and in this latest iteration, it also looks modern and more eye-catching.

The front profile of the Jeep Wrangler is its most iconic identity, with the off-roader having a slightly inclined fascia comprising of the much-famed seven-slat vertical grille. The upper corners of this grille have rounded headlamps, which come with LED projectors within them. The front bumper of the Jeep Wrangler has off-roading-oriented tapered edges on the sides and comes integrated with fog lamps in angular housings within them.

The Jeep Wrangler has a traditional upright stance when viewed from the side, with the off-roader having almost flat vertical door panels and angular window panels with rounded edges. The Wrangler continues to have the iconic flared wheel arches, with the front ones coming integrated with cornering lamps and turn indicators ahead of them. The door-mounted rearview mirrors and large 18-inch alloy wheels shod with off-road spec tyres further strengthen its identity as a lifestyle vehicle.

At the back, the Jeep Wrangler retains the tailgate-mounted spare wheel from the previous iterations of the off-roader, while the current generation has revised LED inserts for the boxy tail lamps positioned on the sides. Here also, the bumper gets tapered edges on the sides for facilitating off-roading duties.

It is where the Jeep Wrangler starts to shine bright, with its famed off-roading capabilities giving it a legendary image. The Sahara trim level gets the Jeep’s Selec-Trac four-wheel drive system that automatically switches to two-wheel drive on smoother urban roads for optimal efficiency or to four-wheel drive for consistent traction on off-road surfaces. On the other hand, the Wrangler Rubicon gets a more hardcore Rock-Trac four-wheel drive system, that automatically switches from 2WD to 4WD in instances of slippery, with a 4:1 low gear ratio, Tru-Lok® electronic locking front and rear differentials and an electronic front sway bar disconnect.

The only engine option offered in the entire lineup of the Jeep Wrangler for the Philippines car market is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which is considered to be the most powerful four-cylinder internal combustion engine in the Wrangler’s global lineup. This engine produces a maximum power output of 270 PS and a peak torque output of 400 Nm and is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the performance is praiseworthy, the fuel efficiency figures are below average.

The Jeep Wrangler is decently packed with safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill hold assist, hill descent control, electronic stability program and front and rear locking differentials. However, it is one of the few premium SUVs which misses out on ADAS.

The Jeep Wrangler is an icon which has proven its mettle on off-road terrains with its well-sorted chassis and capable four-wheel drive system accompanied by various off-roading-oriented elements.