Jeep’s facelifted Wrangler has arrived in South Africa, sporting a new look, upgraded tech and safety as well as a new engine.
It’s available in three flavours, with the Wrangler Sport kicking things off at R1,199,900, while the Sahara model is pegged at R1,249,000 and the Rubicon at R1,299,900.
All three are powered by a new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that replaces the previous normally aspirated 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that did duty for many years.
The four-cylinder engine, featuring a turbocharger mounted directly to the cylinder head for improved durability, pushes out 200kW and 400Nm and pairs up with a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox.
As before, rugged off-road capability is ensured by a two-speed transfer case as well as Dana solid front and rear axles, but the Rubicon version takes things to the next level with a new Dana 44 DH full-float rear axle.
Sport variants roll on 17-inch steel wheels while the Sahara gains 18-inch alloys. The Rubicon ships with 17” alloys shod with Mud-Terrain tyres.
Externally the updated Wrangler features a new seven-slot grille, now surrounded by black trim.
Inside there’s a redesigned dashboard, featuring soft-touch materials and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is powered by the latest Uconnect 5 operation system.
The new infotainment system boasts faster operating speeds as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it can be updated over-the-air.
The new Wrangler also has seven USB ports, with a combination of Type A and Type C ports in both seating rows, while 12-volt accessory outlets are located throughout the cabin and there is a single 230-volt AC outlet that’s capable of powering home electronics.
On the safety front, side curtain airbags are now standard - something you should surely expect at this level.
As for the driver assist features, the Forward Collision Warning, Advanced Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Path are now joined by Lane Departure Warning and Drowsy Driver Alert.
All models are sold with a warranty and service plan that’s valid for five years or 100,000km.
IOL