2021 Jeep Wrangler review

2021 Jeep Wrangler Review: 

If you’re looking for a car that’s ready for outdoor adventures and off-road fun, the Jeep Wrangler is probably high on your list. Its classic design, removable doors, and folding roof make it perfect for open-air driving, and it’s well known for handling tough trails. Still, it’s important to think about what owning a specialized vehicle like this really means.

The Wrangler is great off-road, but that comes with some trade-offs when you’re driving on regular roads. For example, it usually gets worse gas mileage than most other SUVs. The soft top can also be pretty noisy on the highway, and the stiff suspension and off-road tires can make it harder to keep the car steady in your lane.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t get a Wrangler. If it’s what you want, go for it. Just make sure you know about the trade-offs before you buy, so there are no surprises.

In 2021, Jeep added some new options to the Wrangler lineup. The Wrangler 4XE plug-in hybrid (covered in a separate review) came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and hybrid parts, giving it 375 horsepower and about 22 miles of electric-only driving.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have?

Connectivity

Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard on all trims. There are USB-A and USB-C ports in the front, plus a 12-volt socket for accessories. 

The Wrangler's standard audio system received poor marks from Edmunds' testers, as it wasn't powerful enough to compete with the louder cabin noise. If you plan to remove the doors and roof, it will only worsen the problem. An Alpine® Premium audio system is available, though Edmunds didn't get a chance to test it. The upgrade offers a nine-speaker system with a rear subwoofer and a 552-watt, 12-channel amplifier. Keep an eye out for Wranglers equipped with this if a good audio system is a priority and make sure to test it out during the test drive. 

Infotainment

The Wrangler's infotainment screen looks sharp and is easy to see during the day, but it also dims enough at night so it won't strain your eyes. The system runs on Uconnect® 4, which was impressive when it first came out, but now it feels a bit outdated and not as quick as newer systems. This can be most noticeable when you start the vehicle. Several times, one of Edmunds' testers had to wait about 10 seconds for the system to fully load before he could even turn down the volume.

On the positive side, the software itself is easy to use. The controls are a mixture of buttons, knobs, and touchscreen virtual buttons, all of which are easy to understand. AM, FM, and XM satellite radio are available.

Driver-Assist Tech

The driver-assist offerings are a bit sparse on the Wrangler. For example, the entry-level Wrangler Sport doesn't include any driver-assist tech. You need to go up several trims in the lineup to get features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning,  and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. That said, you can find Wranglers with the available Safety Group package that adds all those features, plus a rear park assist system with backup sensors.

During Edmunds' testing, the rear parking sensors occasionally misidentified the ground at the bottom of their driveway as an object, but it wasn't a big deal, since the Wrangler doesn't have automatic braking, so there's no risk of the car slamming on the brakes. An optional front camera is available and can be useful for avoiding obstacles off-road. A 360-degree camera system is not available.

How comfortable is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler? 

Front Seating

The front seats feel firm but still give good support, and they’re more comfortable on long trips than you might expect. The seats themselves sit higher and more upright than in many other SUVs, so the front edge may stand out a bit more for some people. This upright position might not suit everyone, so make sure it fits your body and meets your comfort needs. There's lots of headroom, but the cabin is on the narrow side, which can make it feel a bit cramped.

Rear Seating

The four-door Wrangler may not be as large as some other midsize SUVs, but it still feels roomy. A six-foot-tall Edmunds tester could sit comfortably behind their own driving position, and the soft cloth seatbacks mean knees won't get sore if they press against them. The seats offer a good mix of comfort and support. There's also plenty of headroom in the back because of the tall ceiling. Two-door Wranglers are a tighter squeeze in the rear.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

The Wrangler's ride quality is on the firm side and may not be to everyone’s liking, but we like how the suspension and tires absorb ruts, bumps, and potholes with ease. This means that you can just cruise around town with little concern about what you're driving over. The added weight from the larger V8 or the available plug-in hybrid (reviewed separately) helps settle the suspension and improve ride quality.

You'll notice road, tire, and wind noise most when driving on the highway. The hardtop is a bit quieter than the soft top, but both are pretty loud. If you've owned a Wrangler before, this won’t be news to you. However, if you’re mainly interested in the Wrangler for its style, be ready to accept this trade-off.

Does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler have good storage?

Cargo 

The Wrangler’s narrow body means it can’t carry as much cargo as most other SUVs, and its cargo space (31.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 72.4 cubic feet with them down) is a bit smaller than what you get in the Ford Bronco. The rear seats don’t fold completely flat, either. Still, there are some smart features that help make up for this. The cargo area is tall, squared-off, and easy to use. It also comes with a power outlet, six sturdy tie-down points, and an underfloor compartment. Plus, you can remove the top to carry longer items upright.

Storage

The Wrangler doesn’t offer much interior storage. The center console and glovebox are both small, and since there aren't many extra cubbies, Edmunds' testers often ended up using the front cupholders for other things. There's a shallow tray on top of the dashboard for extra space, but items can slide or roll off if you brake suddenly. The door map pockets are made of small nets, which makes it easier to remove the doors, but they aren't sturdy enough for bigger items. During Edmunds' testing, even a regular water bottle made the netting sag so much that it got in the way of closing the door.

How easy is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

Getting into a Wrangler requires a bigger step than most other SUVs because of its off-road ground clearance. The wide-opening doors, which can also be removed, and sturdy grab handles at every seat help with entry. Taller versions, such as the Rubicon or 392, are even harder to climb into, even for people of average height. The smallest tires are still 32 inches across, so without a step rail, shorter passengers or anyone with mobility challenges may struggle.

Rear passengers face the same issue. They need to be careful when getting in or out because the Wrangler's door latch sticks out from the body and can hit your hips.

Child car seats are easy to install in the four-door as long as they are not too large. You may need to move the front seat forward to fit a rear-facing seat.

Interior Layout and Visibility

The Wrangler's narrow hood and separate fenders, along with the tall driving position and upright windshield, give you pretty good forward visibility. The large, square side windows also make it easy to see to the sides and rear. If you want even better side and rear visibility, you can take the top off, leaving just the narrow frame in your way. On the downside, the upright driving position and low roof sometimes make you lean forward or duck to see a traffic light. Plus, the big spare tire blocks part of your lower rear view.

The controls are easy to reach thanks to the vertical dash. The instruments look good, and you get unique programmable accessory switches you won't find in other vehicles. Everything is well organized and makes sense, and the controls feel good to use. 

What’s the 2021 Jeep Wrangler like to drive?

Driving

The Wrangler's standard 3.6-liter V6 engine has plenty of power for getting onto the freeway, passing other cars, or climbing steep hills. Even the heavier Rubicon model feels responsive. In Edmunds' test, a four-door Sahara went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. If you choose a Wrangler with the Xtreme off-road package and its larger 35-inch tires, the 0-60 time slows to about 9.6 seconds.

If you want faster acceleration and a better engine sound, the 470-horsepower Moab 392 with its V8 is a great choice. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and covers the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds. The acceleration feels smooth and exciting, but the rest of the Jeep doesn't deliver, with the same sloppy braking, steering, and handling that's inherent to the Wrangler. In fact, braking distances among all Wrangler models were longer than those of comparable SUVs. 

Edmunds has not tested the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, but owner reviews are very positive. They like the engine’s torque and think it offers a good balance between the V6 and V8 models. On paper, the 2.0-liter turbo is the most fuel-efficient Wrangler engine, except for the 4XE plug-in hybrid (reviewed separately) and the EcoDiesel engine.

Edmunds was not able to test the 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine. In researching this EcoDiesel engine however, we came across numerous owners who have experienced mechanical and cooling issues. The consensus seems to suggest that frequent short trips tend to wear out the engine components at a faster rate, but those who traveled longer distances experienced fewer issues. There's also the price of fuel to consider. At the time of writing, a gallon of diesel cost roughly $1.30 more than regular gas. This higher cost could potentially offset the gains in fuel economy.

Towing

A four-door Wrangler can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The two-door version can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

According to the EPA, the V6-powered Wrangler Edmunds tested gets an estimated 19 mpg combined city and highway. The four-cylinder turbo does a bit better at an estimated 21 mpg, while the V8-powered Moab 392 gets just 14 mpg. Overall, the Wrangler's fuel economy is similar to that of other off-road SUVs like the Ford Bronco. In our own testing, we found the EPA’s numbers to be accurate.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates