2022 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler SUV endures as an off-road icon, and now has the best and broadest set of powertrains in its history. It’s an original: the Wrangler’s a two- or four-door convertible SUV that telegraphs America from every knob in its tires. It’s competition for the newly reborn Ford Bronco, and also for the Toyota 4Runner.

We can’t think of a more capable or iconic vehicle than the Wrangler. Want to cruise down by the beach or traverse a rugged trail? There’s a Wrangler for you.

Although Jeeps haven’t changed that much in the grand scheme of things, their continued evolution means the current Wrangler offers more creature comforts and usability than ever before.

Jeep also offers five different engines for the 2022 Jeep Wrangler, so whether you’re looking for fuel economy, power, or a mix of the two, odds are there’s one that will satisfy.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler’s best potential fuel economy comes from the Wrangler 4xe. It has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and plug-in hybrid componentry. That combination produces 375 horsepower plus about 22 miles of all-electric range on a full battery charge.

Frequently recharging can really help save on gas. But once you use up the battery, the 4xe hybrid only gets around 20 mpg, which is no better than the Wrangler’s regular V6.

For 2022, the Wrangler lineup gains the Willys model with the Xtreme Recon package. This adventure-ready trim comes with 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, a 1.5-inch suspension lift, upgraded brakes, and a host of blacked-out exterior trim and badges.

The Willys Xtreme Recon model comes standard with the 3.6-liter V-6 engine and is offered only on the four-door Unlimited body style.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The standard 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 from the previous-generation Wrangler makes its way under the hood of the new JL and can be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic.

A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is optional and teams up with an electric motor to provide additional low-end power. In addition to the standard V-6 and optional four-cylinder hybrid, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler can also be equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 with a similar hybrid assist, a 3.0-liter diesel V-6; a new, 375-hp plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain and a 6.4-liter V-8 are also available.

Wranglers are born off-road ready, so part-time four-wheel drive is standard across the range and is controlled by a lever on the center console.

In our testing, a base two-door Wrangler Sport with the V-6 and the six-speed manual transmission sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds; a well-equipped four-door Sahara model with the automatic transmission did the deed in 6.8 seconds.

With the four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, the four-door Sahara was slightly quicker at 6.5 seconds to 60 mph. The Rubicon model—which carries additional weight in the form of heavier-duty off-roading equipment—isn’t as quick.

Performance at our test track shows that the Wrangler JL is much improved compared with the previous model, but it’s merely holding steady with its rivals in some metrics.

Although its handling has improved, it’s still trucklike in comparison with today’s refined SUVs and pickups. The ride in the four-door is acceptably smooth over rough surfaces, but braking distances were inconsistent between our two test vehicles.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

In this segment of gas guzzlers, it doesn’t take much to be at the top of the class. The new 2022 Jeep Wrangler’s EPA fuel-economy estimates put it ahead of rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the Toyota 4Runner.

The most fuel-efficient version features the diesel engine that tops out at 22 mpg city and 29 highway. The V-6-powered four-door Wrangler Sahara returned a 20-mpg result on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, 3 mpg fewer than its EPA rating for highway fuel economy.

The turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid model fared much better, delivering 26 mpg—2 mpg more than expected. For more information about the 2022 Jeep Wrangler’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A Wrangler can be outfitted with only the essentials or can be loaded up with modern infotainment goodies. Its infotainment interface—called Uconnect—is easy to use, quick to respond, and can be displayed on a touchscreen available in three sizes. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are both optional, as are navigation and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Jeep offers only a handful of optional driver-assistance features but none of the high-tech equipment that we expect to see on vehicles with price tags stretching into the $40,000-plus and $50,000-plus ranges.

For more information about the 2022 Jeep Wrangler’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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