2020 Jeep Wrangler Review: Boulder-Bashing Brawler
Timeless is a word that is thrown around too much these days, but there's probably no SUV in the world that owns an aged design quite like the Wrangler does. Available in bare-bones form or with many of the regular creature comforts found in normal vehicles, the Wrangler's core principle is still its go anywhere, do anything ability. A 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual is standard, sending 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels, although you can option an eight-speed auto too. Alternatively, you can have a torquier 2.0-liter turbo four-pot that is only available with the automatic gearbox and puts out 270 hp and 295 lb-ft. Finally, a new 3.0-liter V6 diesel is available with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft, but only on the Wrangler Unlimited four-door model, which we review separately. Customization options are almost endless, and its numerous configurations and off-road prowess have made the Wrangler an icon. However, rivals like the Toyota 4Runner offer much better on-road manners and interior niceties, making the 2020 Jeep Wrangler look outdated in many respects.
What's the Price of the 2020 Jeep Wrangler?
The Jeep Wrangler is available in six different variations, starting with the Sport. This model starts at $28,295. Stepping up to the Sport S costs $31,690. The Black and Tan Edition is the first of three special editions and costs $33,190. The Willys Edition starts from $33,990 and the Freedom Edition has a base price of $34,190. The top-tier model is the Rubicon, which starts from $38,295. All prices exclude Jeep's $1,495 destination charge and further taxes and fees. All models feature the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 and a six-speed manual. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is a "no-cost" option however it needs to be paired with the eight-speed auto which costs $2,750. Base models require you to add air-conditioning for $1,295 while higher trims that already have air-conditioning charge $1,500 for the auto 'box that the four-banger is exclusively paired with.
2020 Wrangler Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166.8 in | 96.8 in | 73.6 in | 73.8 in | 62.9 in | 62.9 in |
2020 Wrangler Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Sticking with body-on-frame construction is one of the unwritten rules if you want your 4x4 to be successful off-road, and the Wrangler remains true to tradition with its ladder frame and solid-axle suspension. For truly treacherous terrain where a high level of wheel articulation is necessary, the Rubicon model has an electronically disconnecting front stabilizer bar. In addition, its off-road chops are further bolstered by lockable diffs, shorter axle gearing, and rock rails and skid plates to prevent damage to the underbody. The new Willys Edition trim also borrows heavily from the most competent off-roader in the lineup, making use of the Rubicon's rock rails, shocks, heavy-duty brakes, 32-inch mud tires, and rear limited-slip diff. That said, even in base Sport format, the Wrangler is a wily old fighter that knows how to handle a rocky trail. However, where the Wrangler is almost unbeatable off-road, almost every SUV ever made will be better-mannered on it. The brake pedal has incredibly long travel - which works well off-road - but makes normal driving a chore. The old-school chassis also means that turns, bumps, and undulations make occupants feel more like they're in a small skiff on choppy water rather than in an SUV from the 21st century. The tires also do a great job of drowning out any conversation you and your passengers may try to make with each other. If your daily drive consists of regular asphalt more than traversing the Rockies, we'd suggest having another vehicle for trips to the shops and reserve the Wrangler for weekends on the trail.
2020 Wrangler Interior
2020 Wrangler Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 2 Years / Unlimited Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|
| 4/5 | 3/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Jeep Wrangler A Good SUV?
If you're an off-road enthusiast who intends to use the Wrangler's trail-running abilities regularly, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything that performs as brilliantly as the Wrangler. Many buyers over the years have since made Wrangler ownership something of a lifestyle statement, but Jeep has stuck to the vehicle's core purpose and made it almost exclusively focused on going off the beaten path. While this is all fine and dandy, it makes for a terrible SUV in terms of real-world practicality and comfort. The tires and aerodynamically-challenged shape of the Wrangler provide a cacophony of intrusive noises, particularly if you don't opt for the pricey hardtop. The rear is cramped, the cargo area is not particularly outstanding unless you compare it to that of SUVs in a lower price bracket, and comfort and convenience features are minimal in standard form. If all you're gonna do with the Wrangler is climb boulders and fight your way up rock faces, the Wrangler is undeniably phenomenal. For everyone else, it's an antiquated deathtrap that will be extremely hard to live with every day.
What Jeep Wrangler Model Should I Buy?
If you intend to use your Jeep on the trail, which the Wrangler was designed for, the off-road obsessed Rubicon model makes the most sense. For those who intend to only use their vehicles on-road, the Black and Tan Edition is probably best, but in truth, a Wrangler is not well-mannered enough to be used exclusively on the road - so stick with the all-out off-road Rubicon rather. Whichever model you choose, the 2.0-liter turbo with its added torque and smooth-shifting eight-speed auto will be the most capable. Where we think you should spend some extra money is on the few driver aids that are available. Adding all of them will give you blind-spot monitoring, LED tails, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning and rear park sensors. This will also add $1,790 to your build. We'd also recommend the top-tier infotainment system if you got for the Rubicon, thus availing you of the biggest available touchscreen, navigation, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. All in with $4,985 worth of options, you're looking at $44,775 with destination charges included.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Comparisons
2020 Jeep Wrangler vs Toyota 4Runner
Both the 4Runner and the Wrangler have excellent reputations off-road thanks to their flexible and durable body-on-frame designs and of course, the history that each brand has building outstanding vehicles for the path less beaten. The Toyota 4Runner is arguably a far more versatile vehicle, considering that it comes with four doors, can be had with rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, and has a lot more interior space. It's also more refined and more solidly built, making it easier to live with day-to-day. Off-road, it's also a highly impressive machine. However, there are some big issues. The base price for the SR5 RWD model is over $36,000. That's okay if you get a lot of bang for your buck, but the infotainment screen on the 4Runner is minuscule, and where the Jeep makes light of some of its cheaper materials, the Toyota does a bad job of disguising them, trying too hard to look upmarket. Fuel economy on the 4Runner makes the Wrangler look like a Prius in comparison, and that doesn't even come with the benefit of more power. Overall, the Wrangler, for all its faults, is a more lighthearted vehicle that makes every drive an experience, whereas the 4Runner is just too dull.
2020 Jeep Wrangler vs Jeep Grand Cherokee
If you like Jeep's off-road abilities, but can't quite live with the utilitarian nature of a relatively sparse cabin, or if you want to be able to take a full family and the dogs on your next camping trip in comfort, the Grand Cherokee is worth a look. Granted, the cheapest four-wheel-drive model, the Laredo E, starts at just under $35,000, but you get a gorgeous interior and pretty handsome bodywork too. The Grand Cherokee doesn't have the extreme wheel articulation and oversized tires required to tackle the truly challenging stuff that would send regular cars back home, but it holds its own impressively. With a lot more comfort features and safety equipment than the Wrangler, it's also easier to relax when you're driving on-road, where you'll find far less tire and wind noise than you will in the Wrangler. If you're continually doing extreme off-roading, we would still suggest sticking with the Wrangler, but for something that blends impressive fuel economy, space, ability, and comfort into one great package, the Grand Cherokee is a more sensible option.