Jeep Wrangler 2021
- FUEL TYPEPetrol
- MILEAGE22 MPG City / 29 MPG Highway
- ENGINE3605 cc
- CAR TYPESUV
- TRANSMISSIONAutomatic
- Overview
- Technical
- Location
Overview
Just hearing the name Jeep conjures images of off-road adventure, and the 2021 Wrangler is likely the vehicle most people think of in that scenario. Its retro design harkens back to the World War II-era military vehicle, but the modern-day Wrangler offers an array of creature comforts and a range of sophisticated powertrains that the American GI's of WWII would have considered science fiction. Not only does today's Wrangler have niceties such as air conditioning and power-operated windows, it can be luxed up with leather upholstery, touchscreen infotainment with in-dash navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a power soft top. If the standard model's two-door body style doesn't provide enough room for you and your adventure-seeking pals, the Unlimited four-door models should solve that problem. Wranglers are the only vehicles with removable roofs and doors—a feature that will no longer be unique once until the Ford Bronco hits the market.
What's New for 2021?
The big news for the 2021 Wrangler is the introduction of two new powertrains: The plug-in hybrid 4xe and the fire-breathing, 470-hp V-8 in the new Rubicon 392. The electrified setup pairs a turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor for a stout 375-hp combined output. In addition to the extra electric power, the 4xe powertrain is also set to deliver up to 25 miles of electric-only driving and a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 6.0 seconds. The 4xe system will be available only on four-door Unlimited models, and the battery pack's positioning under the rear seat allows the plug-in Wrangler to retain the same ground clearance and capability as nonhybrid models. The Rubicon 392 is the ultimate Wrangler and rides on 33-inch tires and comes with all of the Wrangler's best off-road gear; Jeep says it's capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Elsewhere, an 80th Anniversary Edition joins the lineup as does a cheeky Islander model which comes with a beach-themed exterior appearance package and "Jeep Tiki" hood decal. The base Sport model can be had with a two-speed transfer case, the Rubicon trim receives an optional Rock-Track four-wheel drive system, and a TrailCam exterior camera system is now available on models equipped with the larger 8.4-inch infotainment display.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Sport - $31,590
- Sport S - $34,790
- Willys - $37,645
- Willys Xtreme Recon - $40,930
- Sahara - $42,945
- Rubicon - $42,995
- Sahara Altitude - $46,540
- Unlimited High Tide - $50,835
- Sahara High Altitude - $53,670
- Sahara 4xe PHEV - $54,125
- Rubicon 4xe PHEV - $57,825
- Sahara High Altitude PHEV - $59,700
- Unlimited Sahara High Altitude - $60,965
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Rubicon 392 - $78,690
We like the idea of staying close to the Wrangler’s simple roots while keeping the price towards the low end of the range, so we’d start with the two-door Wrangler—which comes standard with a removable cloth top. But we don’t want to go full World War II barebones, so we’d opt for the Wrangler Sport S for its extra equipment, which includes air conditioning, a leather-covered steering wheel, power windows and locks, automatic headlamps, heated mirrors, and more. Beyond that we’d spec the 270-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for its 295 lb-ft of torque —35 lb-ft more than the standard V-6. The four-cylinder also comes standard with an eight-speed automatic, a powertrain combination that should make for low-stress trail driving. We’d also opt for the Technology package for its larger 7.0-inch touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability.
Features & Options
Technical
The Wrangler JL has not yet been rated by the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA), and it was not named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), so we are unable to speak to its crashworthiness. To make matters worse, 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. Key safety features include:
- Available blind-spot monitoring
- Available rear cross-traffic alert
- Available rear parking sensors
Jeep doesn't give Wrangler buyers much to get excited about in terms of warranty, with a standard package that includes limited warranty and powertrain policies that toe the same line as its rivals. However, all 2021 models do come with three years of free maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included