This post was originally published on Autocar
Original military-chic civilian off-roader enters a fourth Wrangler-badged generation
The Jeep Wrangler story dates back to 79 years ago. At around the time Enzo Ferrari and Alfa Romeo conclusively parted ways, the United States Department of War sought to commission the design of a rugged reconnaissance vehicle for duties in febrile Europe.Out of more than 130, just two companies, Willys-Overland and Bantam, stepped up, and it was the latter’s BRC 40 that formed the basis of not only a bona fide military icon but also, with the advent of the CJ-1 just four years later, an enduring post-war civilian sales success.The Jeep Wrangler JL is the fourth generation of this remarkable machine since the ‘Wrangler’ name was first applied to the recipe in 1986, and back in the US it remains a customer favourite and something of a global commercial powerhouse.Of course, over here the Wrangler has been and will always be a more niche offering, but it still has a very important role to play for Jeep. The brand is finally starting to garner some actual sales numbers with the Avenger, but that means that most of the cars Jeep sells in the UK are now small crossovers that send most or all of their power to the front wheels.Does that dilute the brand? Well, Jeep’s people talk about “protect the core, broaden the reach”. In other words, it’s no good keeping the brand pure if it’s not commercially viable, but the Wrangler is still a very important part of the range – not because of the sales numbers it generates but because it legitimises the whole operation.To succeed, any new Wrangler needs to radiate its Rubicon Trail-conquering capabilities at a standstill, which is why the Wrangler’s looks are still more than reminiscent of the original Willy’s. And yet with the JL more than any previous generation of Jeep Wrangler, the real challenge has been not only to maintain and enhance this aura but also make the car a far more amenable daily companion.Time to find out whether it has succeeded.The Jeep Wrangler range at a glanceThe JL Wrangler was launched in the UK in 2019 with two engine choices, a 197bhp diesel and a 268bhp petrol, but the diesel was discontinued in 2021. A Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid is available in other markets but won’t be coming to the UK because its hybrid hardware is incompatible with right-hand drive. The Jeep Wrangler 392 is only available through grey imports.A two-door model was offered to appeal to those after a more classic Wrangler look but was axed in 2023, leaving just the four-door. The Wrangler-based Jeep Gladiator pick-up truck also isn’t offered here.Two trim levels are offered in the UK: the entry-level Sahara and the more off-road-focused Rubicon. A more luxurious Overland trim was offered for some model years, although no longer. Various roof styles are available for open-air motoring, including a three-piece removable roof.