2023 Jeep Wrangler Review: Climbing High

If there is one thing to appreciate about the Jeep Wrangler, it's that the formula never changes. It remains a thoroughbred off-roader with solid front and rear axles and three engine options including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with or without the mild-hybrid motor and a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. All powertrains are focused on getting the 4x4 to reach new altitudes, and it does so with aplomb. That being said, one of the Jeep Wrangler's main competitors in the USA is the newer Ford Bronco which has been giving it a tough time in the market, but the historic American off-roader maintains a loyal customer base regardless of the popular newcomer. Even the compelling Land Rover Defender is having a tough time putting up a challenge.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler is undoubtedly a great 4x4 SUV, but this is at the expense of on-road capabilities. Keep in mind that it may struggle to provide adequate safety and practicality as a family car. Apart from this, the brand does a great job at making the range widely customizable via a plethora of trims, options, and packages covering convenience, comfort, and capability. As standard, all cars are driven by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with a standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed auto. 4x4 is standard across the range together, and you can even remove the doors and roof for a truly great outdoor experience.

What's the Price of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler?

The price of the Jeep Wrangler 2-door ranges from surprisingly affordable to borderline crazy. The entry-level Sport has an MSRP of $31,195 and the Willys Sport costs $34,190, while the Sport S has a base price of $34,395. The Freedom Edition costs $37,690, the Willys is $38,190, and the top-of-the-line Rubicon has an MSRP of $43,295. These prices exclude Jeep's destination charge of $1,795.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot doesn't add anything to the price itself, but it comes with the eight-speed automatic only which costs $2,000 more.

2023 Jeep Wrangler Handling And Driving Impressions

The 2023 Wrangler is fantastic when exploring the great outdoors but not so impressive when running about in the city. Both solid rear axles are designed to climb dirt and rocks and the sturdy SUV does so effortlessly, particularly if you have the Rubicon's heavy-duty Rock-Trac full-time 4WD system with a 4:1 crawl ratio option installed. This hardcore model also has an electronically controlled sway bar disconnect function in front. As soon as you take it back on the tarmac, you'll notice a rough ride, vague steering, and impaired cornering characteristics. If you don't need to go off-roading, you'll find that the average crossover is far more comfortable.

The 285-horsepower V6 unit offers the best power delivery but its gas consumption figures are sure to disappoint. The MHEV option moderately alleviates this while uprating its climbing capabilities via the additional torque. Ultimately, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides the best consumption, but this is only suited for light adventuring. The turbodiesel is well-suited for both on- and off-road use and has great mpg returns and towing capabilities, but it is the least refined of the bunch.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Jeep Wrangler A Good SUV?

As a full-time off-roader, a quick review of the Jeep Wrangler is all it takes to reveal that it's still one of the best. It is one of the last of its kind that offers solid axles at the front and rear, removable body panels, and a long list of optional features and packages. Several drivetrain options, including a mild-hybrid powertrain for the Jeep Wrangler, comes as another strong point for the model. A historic design philosophy with modern touches gives it some presence on the road, but this is going to be an unsatisfactory vehicle if you lead a lifestyle confined to urban environments. The SUV isn't equipped to deal with small cities with its vague steering, choppy ride, compact interior space, and poor in-cabin noise insulation. It is also heavily impaired when it comes to standard safety features which is why it doesn't benefit from class-leading crash test results from the IIHS or NHTSA. To sum it up, if you are planning a journey through the mountains, the new Jeep Wrangler SUV will be a great choice. If you just need to run about the city, we'd suggest you shop elsewhere.

What 2023 Jeep Wrangler Model Should I Buy?

Two models are appealing. The first is the base Sport, despite it being one of the most utilitarian new vehicles on sale. Why? Because of Wrangler culture. These cars are not kept standard for long, and the base model is essentially a blank canvas to which you can add whatever you want.

The second option we'd look at is the Rubicon. The Wrangler is built for hardcore off-roaders, so it makes sense to get the most hardcore model there is. It comes with the 8.4-inch infotainment system with navigation, so we just need to add all of the optional safety extras. The total price of a new Wrangler in this spec, including the destination charge, and with a nice extra-cost metallic color, is $47,575.

So, you can either get the most basic Wrangler for $32,990 or a Rubicon with all the safety features for $47,575. That's a difference of $14,585, with which you can do a lot to improve a base, Wrangler. We'd still have the Rubicon, however, as we doubt you'd be able to get a Wrangler as capable as the Rubicon, even if you spent more than $14,585 on aftermarket parts.