2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Comparison
0The Wrangler is the original go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle that still has the spirit of the original military Jeep of World War II. In an era when SUVs have become the de facto family vehicle, the Wrangler is a throwback to rougher and more rugged off-road vehicles. It's not as comfortable as rival SUVs such as the Toyota 4Runner or Land Rover Defender, but in return it provides excellent off-road capability, two-door and four-door configurations, and a removable top.
For 2021, there's also something unexpected: a Wrangler plug-in hybrid. Called the Wrangler 4xe, it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine plus hybrid components that provide 375 horsepower plus an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range. If that all sounds a little too much like witchcraft, don't worry. The Wrangler 4xe retains the Wrangler's eight-speed automatic transmission and is even available in the Rubicon trim. If anything, it might be even more capable off-road thanks to the instant torque of the electric motor. Jeep says the Wrangler 4xe will go on sale in early 2021.
At the opposite end of the fuel efficiency spectrum, Jeep has also introduced the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Packing a 470-hp 6.4-liter (392-cubic-inch) V8 engine, the 392 Rubicon retains all of the Rubicon's impressive low-speed off-road ability but adds a new dimension of high-speed off-road fun. The Rubicon 392 is expected to go on sale in the spring of 2021.
The Wrangler's competition is heating up. Besides its long-running rival the Toyota 4Runner, the Wrangler now has to contend with the all-new Ford Bronco, a rough-and-tumble SUV that offers similar off-road capabilities as well as a removable top and doors for those who enjoy open-air driving. There's also the Jeep Gladiator, which is basically a Wrangler with a truck bed in place of an interior cargo area.
What's it like to live with?
When the redesigned Wrangler was revealed in 2018, we knew we had to have one for our long-term test fleet. We ended up buying a top-of-the-line Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. We tested it for two years and 50,000 miles. Check out what it's like to live with the Wrangler by reading our long-term Wrangler road test.
Just hearing the name Jeep conjures images of off-road adventure, and the 2021 Wrangler is likely the vehicle most people think of in that scenario. Its retro design harkens back to the World War II-era military vehicle, but the modern-day Wrangler offers an array of creature comforts and a range of sophisticated powertrains that the American GI's of WWII would have considered science fiction. Not only does today's Wrangler have niceties such as air conditioning and power-operated windows, it can be luxed up with leather upholstery, touchscreen infotainment with in-dash navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a power soft top. If the standard model's two-door body style doesn't provide enough room for you and your adventure-seeking pals, the Unlimited four-door models should solve that problem. Wranglers are the only vehicles with removable roofs and doors—a feature that will no longer be unique once until the Ford Bronco hits the market.
What's New for 2021?
The big news for the 2021 Wrangler is the introduction of two new powertrains: The plug-in hybrid 4xe and the fire-breathing, 470-hp V-8 in the new Rubicon 392. The electrified setup pairs a turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor for a stout 375-hp combined output. In addition to the extra electric power, the 4xe powertrain is also set to deliver up to 25 miles of electric-only driving and a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 6.0 seconds. The 4xe system will be available only on four-door Unlimited models, and the battery pack's positioning under the rear seat allows the plug-in Wrangler to retain the same ground clearance and capability as nonhybrid models. The Rubicon 392 is the ultimate Wrangler and rides on 33-inch tires and comes with all of the Wrangler's best off-road gear; Jeep says it's capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Elsewhere, an 80th Anniversary Edition joins the lineup as does a cheeky Islander model which comes with a beach-themed exterior appearance package and "Jeep Tiki" hood decal. The base Sport model can be had with a two-speed transfer case, the Rubicon trim receives an optional Rock-Track four-wheel drive system, and a TrailCam exterior camera system is now available on models equipped with the larger 8.4-inch infotainment display.
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