Used 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The Jeep Wrangler is the rare vehicle that needs no introduction. Its off-road capabilities are legendary, it’s as at home crawling over boulders as it is dropping off the kids at school, and its roots date to World War II, where it is credited for helping bring victory to the Allies. So how’s that for heritage?

Today’s Jeep Wrangler is a satisfying mix of classic design and real-deal off-road chops with modern safety systems, amenities, and technology.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is now three years into its latest generation, known as the JL. It remains offered as a 2-door or the more popular and roomier 4-door Wrangler Unlimited. All models come with a soft-top that can be removed (along with the doors) for open-air adventures. An optional hardtop is available.

All Wranglers are 4-wheel drive, and a variety of engines are available. Standard is a V6, or buyers can opt for a spunky turbocharged 4-cylinder, a V6 with mild-hybrid assistance, or a wonderfully stout diesel V6 that debuted last year.

At the top of the powerplant ladder, Wrangler fans will finally get what they’ve long since dreamed of — a V8. The new Wrangler Rubicon 392 is a limited-edition model and an absolute powerhouse thanks to an SRT-tuned 6.4-liter V8 delivering 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to propel this Jeep to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Also new for 2021 is the Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid Jeep with 21 miles of electric-only range. The 4xe is offered in three primary trims, Sahara, Rubicon, and High Altitude, and only with the 4-door Unlimited body style. While all Wranglers have incredible off-road capability, the Rubicon is the most tuned into extreme all-terrain adventures. The lithium-ion battery pack in the 4xe can be recharged in approximately 2 hours when using a fast charger. This takes approximately 12 hours if you’re using a normal household outlet, however.

In other significant news, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler is available with the new Xtreme Recon package, which is highlighted by LT315/70R-17 BFGoodrich K02 All-terrain tires. That’s right, this will be the first Jeep Wrangler to ride on 35s from the factory, and the package also includes beadlock-capable wheels, a 1.5-inch suspension lift, uniquely tuned shocks, and a 4:56:1 axle ratio.

The result? Best-in-class approach angle (47.4 degrees), breakover angle (26.7 degrees), and departure angle (40.4 degrees), plus impressive ground clearance of 12.9 inches. The Xtreme Recon Wrangler also can ford a 33.6-inch-deep stream.

Late in 2021, customers also will be able to order a 2022 Wrangler with 4.88:1 final-drive gearing. When equipped with that low gearing and the 6-speed manual transmission, this Jeep becomes the first Wrangler to have a best-in-class crawl ratio of 100:1.

The Wrangler is a top-seller and boasts class-leading resale value. But competition is heating up. Whereas the aging Toyota 4Runner has been the Wrangler’s main rival, the Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender also compete for the same buyer.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler remains, first and foremost, an off-road vehicle. Yes, this Wrangler JL is its most refined yet, but don’t expect plushness. Its body-on-frame chassis and solid axles prioritize off-road ability vs. on-road comfort.

On highways and at speed, the Wrangler can be squirrelly. In our tests, it required lots of steering input to keep things on track. Wind noise is also an issue. You won’t find many rounded edges here, and all those flat angles mean wind resistance. Will you get used to this? Most likely. And if you actually use Wrangler for what it’s made to do, you’ll be amazed.

Simply put, few vehicles can match the Wrangler’s off-road prowess. Even in base form, it will easily tread over terrain that would make a unibody crossover SUV cringe. Amp it up in Rubicon trim with features like front and rear locking differentials and sway-bar disconnect, and it can tackle terrain as severe as, well, the Rubicon Trail. (We did just that years ago in the prior-gen Wrangler and were astounded at its capabilities).

We might also add that if you don’t know what a sway-bar disconnect is or why you might need it, you can probably skip the Rubicon model. Yes, we know it looks cool, but it seems a waste of money and hardware if you’ll never actually use it.

The Wrangler’s V6 is capable. With the standard manual transmission, it can feel a bit taxed, and the transmission isn’t all that gratifying. Then again, most buyers will opt for the automatic transmission, which works well. Another benefit is that for 2021, all V6 automatic models get the eTorque mild-hybrid assist as standard.

The turbocharged 4-cylinder packs surprising punch. It puts out nearly as much horsepower as the V6 and more torque.

The much welcome 392 V8 is just plain fun in the Wrangler. It’s no surprise that it’s a blast on pavement, but it also makes the Wrangler even more fun off-road. Its performance on technical trails isn’t that much different compared to lesser engines (which is a good thing), but the V8 makes this SUV more fun to drive fast off-road. It’s hard not to smile when punching the throttle, hearing the raucous exhaust note, and seeing the rooster tails of sand kick up in your mirrors.

Our favorite powertrain (at least for now) is the diesel V6. Potent and guttural, it enables the Wrangler to push through just about everything.

We also thoroughly enjoy the new Wrangler 4xe PHEV, which we sampled recently near Austin, Texas. When you push this Jeep’s start button, no engine begins running because the 4xe is designed to run primarily like an electric vehicle whenever the battery has a charge. You simply put the Jeep 4xe in Drive, press the accelerator pedal, and go.

We had a full charge in the 4xe that we drove, and even though the EPA says this Jeep has an all-electric range of 21 miles, we made it 25 miles on electricity before the gas engine kicked in and the vehicle began operating as a conventional gas/electric hybrid. We drove gently, and we also pressed the “Max-Regen” button, which meant the deceleration force following pedal lift was so strong that you really didn’t have to use the brakes.

There are three driving modes in the Jeep Wrangler 4xe: Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save. In Hybrid, torque from the gas engine and electric motor is blended. In Electric, the 4xe relies strictly on the battery until it reaches a minimum charge or the driver uses full throttle, which engages the 2.0-liter engine. In E-Save, this new Jeep Wrangle PHEV relies strictly on the gas engine to save the battery charge for use later. This, for example, would work well for European cities in which internal combustion use is prohibited, or if you want to go EV off-roading.

This is exactly what we did in the new Jeep Wrangler 4xe. On a cattle ranch in the Texas Hill Country, we forded streams and crept over challenging rocks just like we were in a standard Rubicon with locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar.

Only difference? There was no engine running, so the experience was eerily silent, apart from the BFGoodrich K02s grappling the dirt and rocks. At the base of a huge granite rock formation that needed to be scaled, we simply pressed the accelerator and let the 4xe do its work. With the immediate torque, the 4xe motored up without any apparent strain. Spotters pointed to the proper driving line, and the only limiting factor here was grip, not power. And on the way back down, hill-descent control and ace spotters removed all the drama.

In short, silent EV off-roading was a kick, and Jeep tells us that the 4xe can be enjoyed for two or three hours in EV mode on the trail. After that, it switches back into hybrid mode, in which the 4xe is just as capable as any other Wrangler on the trail, with the exact same approach and departure angles. It also has the same 30-inch water fording ability, which was tested (and proven) when we followed a creek for a short distance. Yes, the thought of a wet 400-volt battery was a bit nerve-wracking, but Jeep assured us that the 4xe was safe in water, and that its battery works fine even when fully submerged.

We should mention that KBB also spent a year driving and living with a Jeep Wrangler and came away impressed overall. You can read about our experts and watch videos on that here.

The Jeep Wrangler has total seating for either four or five depending on model. The 2-door Jeep Wrangler has only a pair of seats in back, which means it holds four people total. The more popular 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is more family-friendly with a traditional rear seat that holds up to three people for a total capacity of five passengers. As you might guess, the longer 4-door Wrangler also has better rear-seat legroom and cargo room behind the rear seat.

Like its exterior, the Jeep Wrangler’s interior design is marked by its simple, upright nature. The dash is wall-like with a center screen that ranges in size from 5 to 8.4 inches. Controls are simple and minimalistic.

Base Wranglers still have manual door locks and crank windows. Models with power windows have the switches not on the doors (which are removable) but in the front console. The $50,000 High Altitude model is more spruced up with Nappa-trimmed leather upholstery, but you still won’t find power adjustments for the seats. Remember, this vehicle is made with the idea in mind that you will have to wash out its interior after a day in the dunes or fording watering.

The 392 is the flagship model for the Wrangler, so quite a bit comes standard, including LED lighting, all the safety tech, and a full leather interior. You’ll be able to spy the 392 by the bronze badging and quad exhaust tips. This promises to be the most fun Wrangler model that Jeep has ever made.

This latest version of the Jeep Wrangler is only a few years old, but it still takes a pretty keen eye to tell this gen from the last one. That’s by design. The Wrangler is one of the most iconic vehicles in the world, and Jeep knows better than to drastically change the formula.

As with the prior generation, the Jeep Wrangler comes in two forms: 2-door or 4-door. The 2-door model is markedly shorter at just 166.8 inches in length. The 4-door Unlimited model is nearly 20 inches longer. Both have a boxy design that dates to the Jeep’s WW II ancestors.

All models come with a soft-top that can be removed. Also like past models, the doors can be removed and the windshield folded, turning the Wrangler into a truly open-air adventure mobile, like a dune buggy with air conditioning and Apple CarPlay.

For better insulation and protection, two hardtop roofs are available: one with twin removable panels, the other with a power-operated retracting cover.

Wrangler 4xe models are distinguished by some fairly subtle blue exterior graphics. The Rubicon and High Altitude 4xe Wranglers get Electric Blue front and rear tow hooks, along with blue-highlighted badging and graphics on the hood and fenders. Depending on the trim, there are anywhere from 13 exterior color choices (Sahara) to only 4 offered on the High Altitude.

WRANGLER RUBICON 392
More than just V8 performance, the 4-door-only 392 is a Rubicon model, so it has all Jeep’s most hardcore accouterments, including front and rear locking differentials and a swaybar that can disconnect at the push of a button to increase wheel travel. The 392 model rides on a suspension that’s one-inch taller than a regular Rubicon and wears 33-inch tires. Plus, this Wrangler has a new Hydro-Guide cold-air intake that allows the Jeep’s engine to survive a 15 gallon-per-minute bow wave for stream crossings. The system also boosts the Wrangler’s water fording capability.

DIESEL ENGINE
It’s the engine that Wrangler fans desired for years, and Jeep has delivered. Making 260 horsepower and an even more impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, we love the locomotive force of this turbodiesel. At up to 29 mpg, it’s also relatively efficient.

RESALE VALUE
The Wrangler also stands out for its tremendous resale value. Its class-leading residual value means that if you decide to sell your Wrangler, you can expect top dollar compared to other used vehicles.

XTREME RECON PACKAGE
This package, available on the Wrangler Rubicon, includes 35-inch BFGoodrich K02 All-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, a 1.5-inch suspension lift, uniquely tuned shocks, and a 4:56:1 axle ratio. It marks the first time the Wrangler has been available from the factory with 35s.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler comes in four primary trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara (4-door only), and Rubicon.

At its most basic in the Sport trim, the Wrangler includes The base-model Wrangler Sport comes standard with the V6 and 6-speed manual transmission. It also comes standard with 4-wheel drive, in this case, Jeep’s Command-Trac system. You also get standard fog lights, underbody skidplates, push-button ignition, and Jeep’s new Sunrider with its clever sunroof panel.

What’s more noteworthy is what’s missing. No air conditioning (it’s optional on this base model), no power windows, no power door locks. The infotainment system is basic, just a 5-inch touchscreen display. No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on this one, but it does have Bluetooth and a USB input.

Most buyers will have a better experience stepping up to at least a Sport S model. That gets you power windows, door locks, and A/C, keyless entry, and opens the door for more options like active safety features and a better infotainment system.

The Sahara 4-door Wrangler gets a 7-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, and opens the door for more options.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is made for serious off-road duty and boasts a low-range crawl ratio, front and rear locking diffs, electronically controlled sway bar disconnect, rock rails, and more. It also comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Serious off-roaders also should consider the newly available Xtreme Recon package, with its big 35-inch tires and 1.5-inch lift.

Late in 2021, the Wrangler also will be available with 4.88:1 final-drive gearing. A Wrangler equipped with that gearing and the 6-speed manual gearbox has a best-in-class crawl ratio of 100:1.

In addition to the four primary trims, the Wrangler has other variants like the Willys, Altitude, and premium High Altitude. For 2021, there is an 80th Anniversary edition that can be had with leather seats and Granite Crystal interior accents, while the cheeky Wrangler Islander has a beach-theme interior and exterior with an optional white hard top roof.

Options abound and vary with trim, but the main highlights are the diesel V6 or turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, locking rear differential, forward-facing off-road camera, plus heated front seats and steering wheel, Alpine audio system, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation.

Optional active-safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler comes standard with the venerable Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower. It is fitted standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. Most buyers, however, will want the optional 8-speed automatic transmission. For 2021, the 3.6-liter V6 connected to the automatic comes standard with the eTorque mild hybrid system to enhance fuel economy.

Optional on all models is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 270 horsepower. It comes standard with an 8-speed automatic. Note the former 2.0-liter with eTorque assist has been dropped.

Optional on 4-door Wranglers is the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. As noted in Favorite Features, this engine has good horsepower (260) and even better torque (442 lb-ft). It comes standard with the 8-speed automatic.

On sale now is the all-new Wrangler 4xe. This plug-in hybrid, with a name that’s meant to be said “4 by E,” has an all-electric EPA range of 21 miles. It pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and two electric motors — a belt-driven starter/generator and another clutched motor in the front of the transmission case, replacing the torque converter.

Total output is 375 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, making this the second-most powerful Jeep Wrangler in the lineup. The 4xe employs a temperature-controlled 17.3-kilowatt lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the rear seat and ahead of the rear axle. Like other Wranglers, the 4xe has an 8-speed automatic transmission. Jeep says the 4xe hits 60 mph in about six seconds.

Of note, the protected 300-lb. battery is essentially waterproof. This means the 4xe has the same 30-inch water fording ability as the standard Wrangler, and it has a 370-mile total range. Using a Level 2 charger, the 4xe battery can be fully charged in 2.5 hours.

Ironically, given its green credentials, the fuel economy of the 4xe is about equal to what a Wrangler gets with the standard 3.6-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic. In a mix of city and highway driving, the 4xe delivers a combined average of 20 mpg when running strictly on its gas engine.

The top powerhouse is the new Rubicon 392. Jeep stuffed a massive 6.4-liter V8 that generates 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque under the hood of the 4-door Wrangler Rubicon. The result is a Wrangler that can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and still tackle off-road trails with ease.

Four-wheel-drive systems include the Command-Trac part-time 2-speed transfer case, Selec-Trac 2-speed transfer case with full-time 4-wheel drive, and the Rubicon’s Rock-Trac 2-speed transfer case with 4.0:1 low-range gear, front and rear electric locking differentials, and disconnecting front sway bar.

The Jeep Wrangler, even the new 4xe plug-in hybrid, is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Like other modern vehicles, all Wranglers apart from the 4xe PHEV use a start/stop system to cut engine power at idle, such as stoplights. The system can be defeated with the press of a button.

3.6-liter V6
285 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (Wrangler manual), 17/23 mpg (Wrangler Unlimited manual), 20/24 mpg (Wrangler automatic), 19/24 mpg (Wrangler Unlimited automatic)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
270 horsepower @ 5,250 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/24 mpg (Wrangler), 21/24 mpg (Wrangler Unlimited)

3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel
260 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
442 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg, 21/26 mpg (Rubicon model)

6.4-liter V8
470 hp @ 6,000 rpm
470 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/17 mpg (Rubicon 392 model)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 + electric motors (Wrangler 4xe)
375 horsepower @ 5,250 rpm (total)
470 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm (total)
EPA combined fuel economy (gas and electric): 49 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent)
EPA combined fuel economy (gas only): 20 mpg
All-electric range: 21 miles