Photo: Jeep / edited
The successor to the CJ series, the Wrangler started production in March 1986 for the 1987 model year under the American Motors Corporation. Offered by Chrysler since 1987, the off-road vehicle that defines the Jeep brand celebrates a significant milestone on August 30.
Today, the Stellantis-owned brand confirmed the sale of the five-millionth Wrangler. Said vehicle is a 2023 model year Wrangler 4xe Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition finished in Earl. The customer who purchased the plug-in hybrid off-road sport utility vehicle will be presented with lifetime Jeep Wave customer care benefits and $5,000 worth of Jeep Performance Parts.
According to big kahuna Jim Morrison, over 80 percent of the Wranglers sold since 1986 are still on the road. That's optimistic at first glance, especially for a Chrysler product. On the other hand, it does hold water because 1986 was 37 years ago. The AMC-designed engines of the YJ are relatively easy to maintain and overhaul, and the same can be said about the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
The first generation of the Wrangler was offered through 1995 in North America. It sold approximately 630,000 units with a choice between a 2.5-liter I4 or two inline-six engines developed by AMC. The 4.2-liter I6 was ultimately replaced by the 4.0-liter I6, for the smaller engine leveled up to fuel injection.
TJ is the codename of the second generation, which rolled out in January 1996 for the 1997 model year. The Toledo production plant in Ohio kept making it through 2006. Equipped with round lights rather than an evolution of the YJ's square lights, this generation also introduced a long-wheelbase specification with a name you'll certainly recognize: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
The JK was a huge departure from its predecessor, a clean-sheet design from the ground up. This generation also redefined what Unlimited means by adding two extra doors for a grand total of four. Not surprising anyone, the Unlimited sells in larger numbers than the two-door body style. The JK was also offered with a VM Motori-designed turbo diesel. The EcoDiesel V6 of the JL will sadly be discontinued after 2023.
Available with four-, six-, and eight-cylinder lumps, the JL received a mid-cycle refresh for 2024. Pricing starts at $31,895 (excluding destination charge) for the Sport with the Pentastar gasser and a manual.
The Sport Unlimited carries a sticker price of $35,895. The available 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine can be had exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which adds $2,500 to the final price.
The $88,190 Rubicon 392 is the off-road specification with V8 muscle in the form of the 6.4-liter HEMI. Word on the street is that all third-gen HEMIs will be discontinued after 2024. If the rumor is proven true, the 4xe plug-in hybrid will be crowned as the most powerful Wrangler for the 2025 model year. In electric mode, it's rated at 22 miles (35 kilometers) of driving range.
With 25 miles per gallon (around 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined test cycle, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 is the fuel economy champion (for now). At the other end of the spectrum, the 470-horsepower Rubicon 392 is EPA-rated 14 mpg (16.8 l/100 km).
According to big kahuna Jim Morrison, over 80 percent of the Wranglers sold since 1986 are still on the road. That's optimistic at first glance, especially for a Chrysler product. On the other hand, it does hold water because 1986 was 37 years ago. The AMC-designed engines of the YJ are relatively easy to maintain and overhaul, and the same can be said about the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
The first generation of the Wrangler was offered through 1995 in North America. It sold approximately 630,000 units with a choice between a 2.5-liter I4 or two inline-six engines developed by AMC. The 4.2-liter I6 was ultimately replaced by the 4.0-liter I6, for the smaller engine leveled up to fuel injection.
TJ is the codename of the second generation, which rolled out in January 1996 for the 1997 model year. The Toledo production plant in Ohio kept making it through 2006. Equipped with round lights rather than an evolution of the YJ's square lights, this generation also introduced a long-wheelbase specification with a name you'll certainly recognize: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
The JK was a huge departure from its predecessor, a clean-sheet design from the ground up. This generation also redefined what Unlimited means by adding two extra doors for a grand total of four. Not surprising anyone, the Unlimited sells in larger numbers than the two-door body style. The JK was also offered with a VM Motori-designed turbo diesel. The EcoDiesel V6 of the JL will sadly be discontinued after 2023.
Available with four-, six-, and eight-cylinder lumps, the JL received a mid-cycle refresh for 2024. Pricing starts at $31,895 (excluding destination charge) for the Sport with the Pentastar gasser and a manual.
The Sport Unlimited carries a sticker price of $35,895. The available 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine can be had exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which adds $2,500 to the final price.
The $88,190 Rubicon 392 is the off-road specification with V8 muscle in the form of the 6.4-liter HEMI. Word on the street is that all third-gen HEMIs will be discontinued after 2024. If the rumor is proven true, the 4xe plug-in hybrid will be crowned as the most powerful Wrangler for the 2025 model year. In electric mode, it's rated at 22 miles (35 kilometers) of driving range.
With 25 miles per gallon (around 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined test cycle, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 is the fuel economy champion (for now). At the other end of the spectrum, the 470-horsepower Rubicon 392 is EPA-rated 14 mpg (16.8 l/100 km).
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