Wrangler Buyer’s Guide
Since it was first introduced in 1986, the Jeep Wrangler has become an iconic part of the American auto industry and one of the most respected and capable vehicles on the trail. Although not officially a follow-up to the original Jeep, there is no denying that the Wrangler owes much of its design and heritage to the Willys Jeep that helped the Allies win World War II. Following the war, American soldiers came home and missed the vehicles they had come to rely on, resulting in the development of the original Civilian Jeep or Jeep CJ. The CJ remained a popular model throughout the decades that followed until its production came to an end in the 1980s when the Wrangler was introduced.
Such an amazing legacy is a lot to live up to, yet Jeep continues to do so year after year with one of the most impressive vehicles on or off the road. Here at Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we are incredibly proud to offer the Wrangler and the rest of the Jeep lineup to our customers. We know how much it helps to do some research and have as much information as possible before you start shopping, so we have prepared this brief Wrangler buyer’s guide to help you get a sense of which model might be right for you. Let us take a look at what the Jeep Wrangler has had to offer over the last couple of decades and see what the current lineup brings to the trail.
Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997 – 2006)
The first generation of the Jeep Wrangler ran from its launch for the 1987 model year through 1995, and then it took a year off. When the Wrangler returned for 1997, it was the start of an all-new era of off-road performance: the second generation, also called the “TJ.” The 1997 Wrangler was fully redesigned, and though it certainly kept the heart of what makes a Jeep a Jeep, it featured a massive number of updates inside and out that truly made it shine.
Throughout this generation, the Jeep Wrangler was a two-door SUV with an off-road focus that looked very much like what you would expect from a Wrangler. In many ways, it set a lot of the standards that we still see in this fantastic model, including numerous engine options and an impressive selection of trim levels available. The Wrangler TJ was available with a starting SE trim, followed by a Sport trim, a Sahara trim, and more. The Rubicon, which we all know and love today, was introduced in 2002 as the pinnacle of Wrangler design.
One of the biggest innovations that occurred during this time was the introduction of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in 2004. This model featured a wheelbase that was 10 inches longer than the standard Wrangler: the first time this had been offered for it. The longer Wrangler still only had two doors, but it provided more legroom inside and more space for cargo. This also marked the first use of the “Unlimited” name for the Wrangler, something we still see today.
Jeep Wrangler JK (2007 – 2018)
Following the success of the innovations introduced with the second generation, Jeep launched a fully updated third generation of the Wrangler for the 2007 model year, called the Wrangler JK by Jeep fans. This new generation once again marked a full redesign of the chassis and the body of the Wrangler – though it kept much of the style and “feel” of a Jeep, its shape was made sleeker and more refined in many ways. The Wrangler JK continued to have a body-on-frame design like a truck and retained a wide range of popular features like the fold-down windshield and removable doors.
Perhaps the biggest (so to speak) update for this generation was the growth of the Unlimited model, which went from a 10-inch longer wheelbase to 20 inches longer than the standard Wrangler. With this increase in size came another innovation: four doors rather than the typical two that the Wrangler had always had. This is a huge thing to keep in mind, and if you are looking for a Wrangler with a lot of passenger room that is easy for your friends and family to get into and out of, then models from 2007 and later will give you the best options.
Since this generation lasted a full decade, there were numerous upgrades and changes throughout the years, including a refresh for the 2011 model year that included a redesigned interior. This was more than a purely aesthetic change, however, as this update included a cleaner overall look and felt with upgraded materials and more options for comfort and luxury. If you want a used Jeep with some modern conveniences, such as heated seats or improved instrumentation, then you should check out models from 2011 and later.
Jeep Wrangler JL (2019 – Present)
The current generation of the Jeep Wrangler kicked off with the 2019 model year: this is the fourth generation, also called the Wrangler JL. Once again, we have seen a full update and redesign for this newest generation, though the exterior bears a number of similarities to the second-generation Wrangler TJ, harkening back to features and designs that fans have loved about Jeep models for decades. The front grille, with its seven slots and round headlamps, is unmistakably a Jeep and immediately captures the eye.
Following the immense popularity of the four-door Unlimited in the previous generation, it remains a staple in the Wrangler lineup among the latest models. As you might expect, there are numerous trims and engines available in this fourth generation, with more options than ever before. It starts with the Sport trim, which includes cloth seating and push-button start, while the Sport S adds keyless entry, improved air conditioning, and much more. Going up to the Sahara trim will get you improved luxury features such as premium cloth seating, remote proximity keyless entry, and available options like leather-trimmed seating and improved infotainment features for you and your passengers to enjoy.
With the most recent model year, Jeep has taken things to the next level with some of the best powertrains we have ever seen in a Wrangler. The 4xe model features a plug-in hybrid engine that offers all-electric range for running errands and fantastic total mileage for long road trips or days out in the wilds. With the Wrangler Rubicon 392, Jeep has delivered their most powerful model ever that features a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine with serious muscle and the power to dominate any road or trail you put in front of it.
