The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most iconic and well-respected vehicles in the world. Its legacy began with the first Willy’s Jeep and CJ models way back in the 1940s and ‘80s. The, Jeep introduced the Wrangler as an all-new model in 1986, thus ending the reign of the CJ. Over the next three decades or so, the Jeep Wrangler amassed a massive fan-following and for the American brand, it was a brilliant sales success, selling in huge numbers.
Presently in its fourth generation, the new 2019 Jeep Wrangler continues to excel off-road, but is now significantly better on the road as well. It has also been given a thorough overhaul so as to make it more livable and comfortable for everyday use. The all-new avatar of the Wrangler (along with its 4-door, Unlimited sibling) will soon be a common sight on the roads of the UAE. However, this Jeep faces some tough challengers such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Nissan Patrol Safari, and Mitsubishi’s Pajero.
Exterior
The exterior styling of the Jeep Wrangler is as iconic as its name. There’s no fakery here or pretence of outlandish design just for the sake of it. The new Wrangler retains its tough and rugged personality, but with an added dose of 21st century design elements. The front fascia wears the Jeep trademark seven-slot grille along with the round headlamps, but LED headlamps and circular LED DRLs. The hood still comes with its traditional, old-school clamp-locks, and the heavy-duty bumper gets foglamps, tow hooks and a sturdy bash plate.
The upright and boxy side gets immensely flared fenders, bold 17-inch wheels shod with chunky all-terrain rubber, impressive ground clearance, and really short overhangs. The rear has a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, boxy yet cool-looking LED taillamps, and a narrow but sturdy bumper with an integrated hook. As for its dimensions, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler (2-door) is 4.237 meters in length, 1.875 meters in width, 1.869 meters in height, and has a 2.459-meter long wheelbase. The 2-door, 4-seater Wrangler can hold up to 898 liters of luggage with the rear seats stowed.
Interior
Compared to its previous avatar, the interior of the new 2019 Jeep Wrangler is far better in every way. It’s not just better designed and packs in more features, it’s also way more comfortable and safe as well. Both, the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited offer decent amount of space for all occupants, and now, there’s also rear air-con vents for added cooling. The material and build quality have also been improved, though some of the surfaces and trim still feel lackluster and basic.
The new Wrangler can be had with automatic & adaptive headlamps, automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry with push-start, leather seats, parking sensors with rear camera, a digital driver’s center display, an 8.4-inch touch-infotainment display with navigation, and a premium sound system. Some of the safety tech includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, limited-slip differential with lock, electronic stability and traction management, Hill-descent control, and ISOFIX points.
Engine and performance
The Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 under the hood of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler produces 285 hp and 353 Nm of torque. It’s paired to a selectable four-wheel-drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This allows the Wrangler to cross 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, and attain a top speed of 180 km/h. However, its fuel economy is pretty poor at just 11.0 L/100 km.
Verdict
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler (2-door) costs from AED 134,800 to AED 186,000 for the Sport and Rubicon X trims, respectively, while insurance premiums start from AED 3,033 and AED 4,185.
