Let’s be actual – the Jeep Wrangler two-door is an announcement.
It is a car that may be very succesful off-road, but it surely’s additionally a two-door with a detachable roof, and it’s not precisely low-cost. All of which tells the world that the proprietor might be an outdoorsy, adventure-seeking particular person with no youngsters and wholesome funds.
Whereas the mannequin has historical past courting again 85 years, 2026 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Wrangler in Australia, with the unique mannequin costing $29,990 – roughly the identical value as a Holden Commodore Govt on the time.
Which will make the brand new Wrangler’s $82,000 price-tag appear costly, however in accordance with the RBA’s inflation calculator, the unique 1996 mannequin can be value greater than $97,000 in right this moment’s cash.
For off-road fanatics, the Wrangler comes with some spectacular equipment. Together with two-wheel drive, on-demand four-wheel drive, and high- and low-range four-wheel drive, Jeep has given it locking differentials entrance and rear, button-activated sway-bar disconnection, and Dana strong axles at each ends.
Gone is the three.6-litre petrol V6, changed with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with respectable efficiency numbers.
However not like the dual-cab Jeep Gladiator ute, which stretches throughout three time zones, our two-door Wrangler is a short-wheelbase mannequin by its nature, making it a extra compelling argument for these Bear Grylls varieties which can be pressured to work within the metropolis.
Final 12 months, Jeep revised the Wrangler lineup, dropping costs – after a number of years of will increase – whereas axing a number of variants. Simply the Wrangler Rubicon is left, obtainable as a two-door or an ‘Limitless’ four-door, however with extra customary options than earlier than.
What we need to know is, after three a long time on sale in Australia, is the Jeep Wrangler nonetheless related?
How a lot does the Jeep Wrangler price?
As talked about, the Wrangler is now priced from round $82,000, with the Rubicon being the only variant obtainable – and consumers are merely given the choice of what number of doorways they want.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
|
2026 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon |
$81,990 |
|
2026 Jeep Wrangler Limitless Rubicon |
$84,990 |
Nonetheless, for a restricted time, Jeep has a limited-edition Wrangler eighty fifth Anniversary obtainable for $88,490 earlier than on-road prices – which is pricey, but it surely comes with some fairly cool yellow plaid upholstery.
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
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What’s the Jeep Wrangler like on the within?
When you’re in search of a luxurious cabin, you’ve come to the flawed place.
Don’t get me flawed, the Wrangler comes with a good quantity of equipment – and is astonishingly properly constructed – however this received’t provide the Day Spa expertise like so many different new vehicles attempt to today.
It’s an odd mixture of utilitarian design, premium supplies, questionable packaging and ergonomics, and a degree of construct high quality that might properly be probably the greatest within the business. It’s a troublesome idea to get your head round at instances.
Visibility is admittedly glorious – even with the letterbox windscreen – because of the compact dimensions and the cube-like form of the cabin.
Whereas it has a pleasant large central infotainment display and a digital display for the motive force, the latter is mounted between two analogue gauges – making it one of many final vehicles on sale to have them. How quaint.
Jeep’s Uconnect 5 infotainment software program is crisp and good to make use of, and hundreds the wi-fi Apple CarPlay interface rapidly. The reversing digicam is positioned higher than on the Jeep Gladiator I reviewed final 12 months, however you solely get ahead and reverse cameras, fairly than 360-degree cameras, as is the norm throughout the business.
Having owned a Jeep XJ Cherokee from the Nineties – which I beloved regardless that it had an inside constructed from the identical kind of low-cost plastic used to deal with Woolworths desserts – I discovered the standard of the switchgear within the newest Wrangler to be astonishingly good. The purple anodised toggle for the diff lockers is a very good contact, and gives slightly splash of color that ties in with the purple distinction stitching and Rubicon embroidery on the seats.
However, identical to the Gladiator, the indicator stalk feels prefer it got here out of a cereal field. Jeep may have used the stalk off a 1996 Wrangler and it might have felt extra acceptable than the flimsy, hole factor they selected to make use of.
Jeep was one of many first automakers to introduce hidden little ‘Easter Eggs’ – issues just like the postcode stamped into the Gladiator’s tub, a reference to town the place it’s constructed – however the firm could have taken a enjoyable concept and ruined it. As a substitute of Jeep emblems on the wheels and equipment knob, there’s a profile drawing of the unique Willys GP from World Struggle II. It comes throughout like a toddler who has simply gotten their very first snort from a gaggle of adults, so that they maintain repeating the joke advert nauseam.
Talking of, I used to be fortunate sufficient to drive an actual US army ‘jeep’ many moons in the past, belonging to a beautiful veteran named Marty. Whereas I cherished the expertise, if I needed to invade Normandy I believe I would fairly be within the Rubicon.
Ergonomics within the Wrangler are good with out being nice. I just like the steering wheel place, however the lack of a lifeless pedal for the left foot is tiresome. The nappa leather-based upholstery feels very hardy and top quality, however the seats themselves had me beginning to ache after about 1.5 hours on the street, regardless of being moderately properly supported for off-roading. Each entrance pews are heated, however solely the motive force’s is electrical. Air flow would have been good on the hotter summer time days too.
There are again seats, but it surely’s a little bit of an effort to entry them, and they need to be thought of for emergencies fairly than common use. You are much better off simply stowing the second row of seats and rising the usable cupboard space from 365 to 898 litres – supplying you with nearly 90 per cent of the boot house you get in a LandCruiser 300 Sequence in five-seat configuration. Although it is value noting that totally different automakers measure their boot house in a different way…
Talking of summer time, we did get an opportunity to take away the 2 entrance roof panels one sunny Saturday afternoon, which have been light-weight and simple to pop on and off. From her aggressive gesticulating, it appeared like my Passenger Princess gave the impression to be having fun with her impromptu blow-dry (not that I may hear her). Actually, she was so blissful along with her new, fashion-forward hairdo that she didn’t speak to me as soon as till we arrived on the restaurant. Having a targa-top convertible in a short-wheelbase, muscular off-road bundle is fairly enjoyable, although.
| Dimensions |
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon |
|---|---|
| Size |
4334mm |
| Width |
1894mm |
| Top |
1879mm |
| Wheelbase |
2459mm |
| Cargo capability |
365L (again seats up) |
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
As talked about, Jeep has binned the Wrangler’s outdated 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre petrol V6 and changed it with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, placing out 200kW of energy and 400Nm of torque by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission.
| Specs | Jeep Wrangler |
|---|---|
| Engine |
2.0L turbo-petrol four-cylinder |
| Energy |
200kW |
| Torque |
400Nm |
| Transmission |
8-speed computerized with low-range |
| Drive kind |
RWD, on-demand 4WD |
| Gas financial system (claimed) |
9.7L/100km |
| Gas financial system (as examined) |
11.7L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) |
218g/km |
| Gas tank |
66L |
| Weight |
2020kg (kerb) |
| Payload |
384kg |
| Braked towing capability |
1497kg |
| Gross car mass (GVM) |
2404kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) |
3751kg |
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How does the Jeep Wrangler drive?
Nostril to tail, the Wrangler two-door is sort of 23 per cent shorter than the Gladiator dual-cab, in addition to nearly 550mm shorter than the Limitless four-door.
Having had a bit of non-public expertise with short-wheelbase SUVs previously, together with FJ40 and LJ70 LandCruisers, I do know missing within the size division can have a huge impact on the best way issues trip. I imply, so I’ve heard. Ahem.
However the Wrangler really rides fairly properly, a lot to my shock. There’s no bucking, and it tends to trip throughout velocity humps and potholes comparatively easily.
It’s additionally fairly good within the metropolis. Whereas the cabin itself isn’t all that large, the guards stick out to provide the tyres a spread-out footprint, so that you do must be slightly extra conscious of your lane placement. Nonetheless, parking the Wrangler is a breeze, even with out 360-degree cameras. Nimble isn’t the fitting phrase, however on the street, it does really feel comparatively agile for a much bigger lady. Like an English Bulldog with the zoomies.
The steering is not like any new automotive I can bear in mind driving in latest reminiscence, although, Gladiator included. It’s fairly a gradual rack, requiring a couple of spins lock-to-lock, however the odd factor is the steering doesn’t need to return to centre – which could have one thing to do with the recirculating ball steering, which is nice for off-roading however was retired by most automotive corporations within the Nineties. And because of the shortness of the wheelbase, the automotive rotates rapidly, that means it’s a must to be simply as fast to roll off the steering lock in tight corners.
When you’re conscious of it, you get used to the steering fairly rapidly.
Now, what I’m questioning is that if this was a deliberate determination by Jeep engineers. I’m wondering in the event that they’ve performed analysis and located {that a} vital proportion of householders match suspension carry kits and steering dampers, so the wheel caster within the Wrangler has been designed in such a method to accommodate these issues.
I’m not attempting to apologise for the Wrangler or clarify its oddities away, however I did have the identical thought with the Gladiator’s breakover angle. Are these vehicles being made with the concept most may have large tyres and suspension kits slapped on as quickly as they go away the dealership lot? If Instagram is something to go by, that’s actually the case within the US.
It additionally took me a short time to click on with the brand new turbocharged engine. Driving in a relaxed vogue, the powertrain felt slightly outdated. The automated was oftentimes gradual to react – getting caught out within the flawed gear after I wanted to go for a niche – whereas the engine displayed some turbo lag on take-off.
The earlier V6 was a little bit of a wheezy outdated unit that didn’t do a lot until you gave it kick within the guts, but it surely was clean. Driving slowly, the brand new four-cylinder doesn’t match the V6 in that manner. I used to be additionally doubting whether or not the 200kW and 400Nm have been actual numbers.
Then I started turning the wick up, so to talk, and that’s the place the powertrain actually begins to make extra sense. When you prefer to drive at six-tenths in every single place, the turbocharged Wrangler is keen and able to be your ride-or-die.
Once more, it’s a kind of odd tuning choices by Jeep that makes me surprise if there’s only one dude named Chad within the engineering division who solely units up these vehicles to swimsuit his private driving model and the modifications he’s going to make.
However when you begin to drive like Chad – making use of a degree of aggressiveness that received’t fairly produce other street customers calling the police, however could have the monocle fall off the face of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver you simply blasted previous – the Wrangler actually comes into its personal. It’s surprisingly swift while you want it to be.
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Bear in mind although, this factor is on aggressive off-road tyres, has a brief wheelbase, and makes use of a protracted steering ratio with entrance wheels that don’t need to return to centre. This isn’t like getting right into a Volkswagen Golf R, which you’ll be able to drive rapidly with fists like ham hocks, and the factor will take care of you it doesn’t matter what. What I am saying is, be protected, please.
Whereas I didn’t get an opportunity to take the Wrangler off-road, the V6-powered Gladiator I had earlier than was extraordinarily succesful. With the eagerness of that turbocharged engine, it has me dreaming of an empty seaside or open area. No one talks about them in the identical breath, however I believe the Wrangler can be simply as enjoyable to assault a desert in as a Ford Ranger Raptor – maybe much more so.
| Off-road dimensions | Jeep Wrangler |
|---|---|
| Monitor entrance and rear |
1598mm/1598mm |
| Floor clearance |
257mm |
| Method angle |
44.0 levels |
| Departure angle |
37.0 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle |
27.8 levels |
| Wading depth |
760mm |
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What do you get?
In mid-2025, Jeep slimmed down the Wrangler lineup, dropping the extra reasonably priced Sport S and Overland trims, whereas reducing the worth of the feature-packed Rubicon.
2026 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon tools highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 32-inch off-road tyres
- LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- Gorilla glass windscreen
- Acoustic laminated entrance door glass
- Rock-Trac four-wheel drive
- 4 skid plates
- Proximity entry with push-button begin
- 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Ahead-facing TrailCam
- 12-way power-adjustable entrance driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar
- Heated entrance seats
- Nappa leather-based upholstery
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- 240-amp alternator
- Auxiliary change financial institution
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Is the Jeep Wrangler protected?
All Jeep Wrangler automobiles constructed after January 1, 2026 are unrated by ANCAP, with the earlier three-star rating from 2019 expiring after six years.
The Jeep Wrangler comes with the next security options:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digicam
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Entrance and front-side airbags
- First- and second-row aspect curtain airbags
- Rear seat reminder
- Tyre strain monitoring
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How a lot does the Jeep Wrangler price to run?
The Jeep Wrangler has service intervals of 12 months or 12,000km – whichever comes first – which is best than the 12-month/10,000km intervals of many Toyota off-road fashions, however not so good as the 12-month/15,000km intervals provided with a wide array of different off-road automobiles.
Nonetheless, all annual logbook companies are capped at $399 by way of Jeep’s dealership community.
As with the remainder of the Jeep vary, the Wrangler will get a five-year guarantee – although that expires on the 100,000km mark, whereas many rivals provide longer guarantee durations with limitless mileage.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Jeep Wrangler |
|---|---|
| Guarantee |
5 years or 100,000km |
| Roadside help |
5 years of 100,000km |
| Service intervals |
12 months or 12,000km |
| Capped-price servicing |
5 years |
| Complete capped-price service price |
$1995 |
To see how the Jeep Wrangler traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s tackle the Jeep Wrangler
I’d simply stepped out of a Leapmotor C10 electrical SUV earlier than I jumped into the Jeep Wrangler – each being merchandise associated to Jeep guardian firm Stellantis – and it’s onerous to think about two vehicles with extra polar philosophies. Simply one thing that struck me on the time.
I had an analogous expertise with the Wrangler as I had with its larger pickup sibling, the Gladiator. It each impressed and perplexed me in methods I couldn’t have imagined, however actually endeared itself to me by the point I needed to hand again the keys.
More often than not, the powertrain felt prefer it wasn’t it – together with the ergonomics, the vibration of the knobbly off-road tyres at strolling velocity, the pirate-ship steering…
However then while you pull all of the levers in simply the fitting manner – by way of the way you strategy and transact with the Wrangler – all the pieces clicks into place. All of it all of a sudden is sensible.
Now, some individuals could discover the Jeep fits them completely from the get-go, however for everybody else it’ll be as much as you to adapt to the automotive to get essentially the most out of it. It might be very simple to stroll away from the Jeep after a fast drive with some less-than-positive ideas.
Then there’s the worth tag of $82,000. There are a complete lot of automobiles obtainable for that sort of cash, however none of them will give you the off-road functionality, the straightforward parking maneuverability, or the targa-top convertible expertise the Wrangler does. It’s in a category of its personal, constructed for many who need one thing extra from life than the mundane.
They don’t come alongside usually, however the Wrangler is an ideal instance of a automotive that’s greater than its brochure. There are such a lot of dimensions to this factor, and it takes whereas to get to know them.
After my time with the Wrangler, I discovered it had this assured, flawed character about it, which for some might be an enormous turn-off. For others – like me – it’s a beguiling car. The sort you wouldn’t advocate to anybody you favored, however you’d purchase for your self in a heartbeat if the chance introduced itself.
This is to a different 30 years.
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