2012 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited Photos, engines & full specs

When Jeep introduced the JK Wrangler in 2007, it surprised everyone with the Unlimited version, but by 2011 standards, it had already started to show its weaknesses, so the automaker updated the rugged SUV.

After the world financial crisis, most automakers found themselves in a weak spot, and Chrysler’s finances were in the red zone of the charts. With some help from the European automaker Fiat, who bought some stakes in the American car manufacturer in 2009, Jeep upgraded the Wrangler’s third generation. In 2010, the automaker improved the interior, and in 2011, it brought the complete package for the 2012 model year, along with a new Pentastar engine, a new transmission, and a slightly different styling. The Wrangler was still available in a few grades, starting with the Sahara and ending with the mighty Rubicon and a choice of two bodyworks: the short-wheelbase and the Unlimited. While the former was a breeze to drive and park in tight spots in cities, the latter was an excellent companion for traveling with up to five people onboard without ruining everyone’s mood due to lack of legroom.

At the front, depending on the grade, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited featured a bumper different from its predecessor, featuring the fog lamps placed towards the center of the vehicle. Its recessed headlights and tilted rearward, body-colored, seven-slat grille remained the same. The fenders, on the other hand, were carried over from the Rubicon lineup, with a gap between their front side and the bumper. Particular detail was added to the windshield, which sported a silhouette of a Wrangler climbing over rocks on its lower right-side corner.

From its profile, there were several subtle modifications depending on the options. Customers could equip the SUV with a body-colored hard top with removable panels above the occupants. The automaker provided the Wrangler Unlimited with full-length side steps that eased ingress and egress to the vehicle. Out back, the swing-out rear door, side hinged, supported the spare wheel, like all the other Wrangler generations before it, the CJs and the legendary Willy’s.

The cabin, which was refreshed in 2010 for the 2011 model year, featured new seats, door cards, and a fresh dashboard. It was a completely different vehicle, fitted with thicker and better sound insulation pads. As a result, the cabin was quieter, especially when the hard top was installed. Fronting the driver was an instrument cluster fitted with large dials for the speedometer and the rev counter and flanked on their outer sides by the fuel level and temperature gauges. All of them were encircled by chromed trims. Atop the center stack, Jeep placed a Uconnect multimedia system developed together with Fiat. It featured navigation and a touchscreen. It could connect to phones via Bluetooth, and the driver could use the buttons on the steering wheel to answer or close calls, select music stations, and access other data from the car’s onboard computer.

However, the most significant upgrade was found under the hood. There, Chrysler dropped the former 3.8-liter cast-iron engine and installed an all-aluminum, quad-cam, 3.6-liter powerplant. The new unit produced 83 more hp (85 PS) and better mid-range torque, essential for off-road excursions. Finally, a five-speed automatic transmission with a shorter ratio for the first gear replaced the previous four-speed gearbox. Thanks to these improvements, the Wrangler could outperform its predecessor in all areas, including acceleration time and fuel efficiency. For the European market, the 2.8-liter turbodiesel remained the only option.