2023 Jeep Wrangler Review

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler is a compact SUV hailed as one of the best off-road vehicles money can buy. It’s sold in two body styles: a two-door version that seats four people (the Wrangler) and a four-door version that seats five (the Wrangler Unlimited).

Jeep sells the Wrangler with five powertrain options. The base engine is a 285-horsepower V6 paired with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. A mild-hybrid version of that engine is paired with the 8-speed automatic that comes with every other engine, including a turbocharged 270-horsepower 4-cylinder, a 260-horsepower turbodiesel V6, and a V8 making 470 horsepower. A plug-in hybrid version of the Wrangler is also available, called the Wrangler 4xe, generating a total of 375 horsepower. Part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) is standard across the Wrangler range, with a full-time 4WD system available.

The Wrangler is all about off-roading. A rugged hauler, this SUV is in its element when exploring trails and canyons; if you’re looking for an off-road-friendly SUV, this Jeep is hard to beat. It’s also notable for its potent and diverse powertrain options, ranging from that muscular V8 to the efficient plug-in hybrid, the Wrangler has a solution for you. This Jeep is also unique for its removable roof and doors that enable top-down driving.

That said, the Wrangler won’t be an ideal fit for all shoppers. Its ride on paved streets is coarse and harsh, gas mileage is disappointing, and its list of standard safety features is meager.

Jeep Wrangler Changes for 2023

• New Willys 4xe plug-in hybrid.
• Return of limited-edition Freedom trim.

Where the Wrangler Sits in the 2023 Jeep Lineup

The Jeep product range consists of several SUVs and a truck. The SUV lineup also includes the Cherokee, Compass, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, Renegade, and Grand Cherokee. The Wrangler is the brand’s compact SUV.

2023 Jeep Wrangler vs. the Competition

Small SUVs offer compact, nimble transportation. The Wrangler competes with these models:

• Hyundai Tucson: Smooth ride and a stylish cabin.
• Honda CR-V: A top choice for its cargo capacity.
• Subaru Forester: Impressive gas mileage and standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

What’s the Best 2023 Jeep Wrangler Trim for You?

Which Trim Is the Best Value?

The base-level Sport is a great pick for value. It has 17-inch wheels, all-season tires, and skid plates. The cabin provides push-button start, air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

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Best Trim for Fuel Economy

The Wrangler gets its best mileage with its available plug-in hybrid powertrain. That model is rated 49 mpg-equivalent combined city/highway overall, with a 22-mile electric-only range. Mileage estimates drop to 20 mpg combined using just the gas engine.

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Best Trim for Cargo Space

The four-door Wrangler Unlimited is your best bet for cargo space. It has 31.7 cubic feet behind the backseat, 72.4 cubic feet with those seats folded.

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Best Trim for Towing

This Jeep has the highest towing capacity with its four-door Wrangler Unlimited body style, which can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

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Best Trim for Off-Roading

The Rubicon is your best bet for off-roading. It has special off-road tires, heavy-duty front and rear axles, 4:1 low-range gearing, rock rails, and an Off-Road Plus drive mode.

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Top-of-the-Line Trim

The Rubicon 392 is the top trim in the lineup. It has heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.

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Should I Buy an Older Jeep Wrangler Instead?

The Wrangler is in its fourth generation, which was introduced with the 2018 model. Any older fourth-generation model (2018-2022) will be broadly similar to the 2023 Wrangler, and you can save money by purchasing one of these used SUVs.

You can find a used Jeep Wrangler with Carfax used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the Wrangler from other model years

2023 Jeep Wrangler Hands-On Test Drive

Driven by Carter MacLeod

• Trim Tested: Wrangler 4-Door Willys w/ 4-Cyl Turbo Engine & Xtreme Recon 35-in Tires
• Price as Tested: $59,875 (including destination charge)

The Jeep Wrangler needs no introduction and, until the reintroduction of the Ford Bronco in 2021, had no rivals. There aren’t a lot of convertible, off-road SUVs with removable doors.

We review the entire Wrangler lineup in our Wrangler buying guide. Here, we will focus on a special version, the Wrangler Willys Xtreme Recon.

How It Drives & Handles

The Willys’ most noticeable features are its black grille and wheels. And, of course, the Willys badge on the hood. Jeep intends it to offer key off-road features at a discount. After all, it is named for the original Jeep from the Second World War. Those off-road features include shocks, rock rails from the Rubicon, the toughest Jeep, and a limited-slip rear differential. That’s on top of the Wrangler’s already-impressive list of off-road features.

The Xtreme Recon package bumps the tire size from 32 to 35 inches. Jeep added a suspension lift to get those big tires under the Wrangler. The result is more ground clearance and general rock-crawling ability. It also makes the ride rougher and noisier, hurts fuel economy, and worsens on-road handling. There are two reasons to get the Recon package: you’re really into off-roading or like the look. Either way, the Recon package is a great way to upgrade your Jeep without worrying about finding an aftermarket shop or doing the work yourself. However, be warned that it makes the Wrangler even less friendly for daily driving.

Jeep’s optional 270-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine powered our test vehicle. Acceleration was lively, and the optional 8-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly. A 285-horsepower V6 and a 6-speed manual transmission are standard. The Recon package adds upgraded brakes to rein in the speed, but this is a lot of SUV to stop. I was left wishing the brakes had more bite.

Comfort, Quality & Usability

The interior styling in the Wrangler is as rough and rugged as its reputation. That’s a good thing, considering you can remove the doors, roof, and windshield with a ratchet in under 30 minutes. You want an interior you don’t mind exposing to the elements.

Seating space was good for me in both rows, and I’m 6 feet tall. There’s abundant cargo space. There’s also good storage space inside the cabin. The glove box may be small, but there are two-tiered center console bins and nets on the doors and behind the seats.

In the unlikely event that you need more headroom, pop off the roof. Our test vehicle had the hardtop with Jeep’s Freedom Panels. When the Freedom Panels are removed and stored in their handy fabric carrying case, the front seat passengers enjoy an enormous view of the sky.

Stellantis’ Uconnect infotainment system is, as ever, easy to use, and it includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Our model had the upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen.

The Safety Group package brought blind spot monitoring but not forward collision warning or adaptive cruise control. You have to order the Advanced Safety Group package for that. That’s annoying in a car that already costs $60K.

While safety tech was in short supply, the Wrangler did have several towing features, including a beefed-up alternator, a Class II hitch, a 4/7-pin wiring harness, and trailer sway damping. That’s a lot of equipment for a vehicle that can only tow 3,500 pounds.

Carfax vehicle reviews let shoppers compare a vehicle’s specs against its competitors. However, some aspects of a vehicle – performance, comfort, usability – can only be evaluated through actual driving. That’s why we evaluate as many vehicles as we can, so you’ll know what to expect.